Line #62 Webcomic/CassToons


1	A {{Fan Web Comic\|s}} based around the offstage life of Cassandra Cain, the second ComicBook/{{Batgirl}}.
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3	In the spring of 2006, after ''ComicBook/InfiniteCrisis'', most of Creator/DCComics' series jumped forward in time, in an event called ''ComicBook/OneYearLater''. In ''ComicBook/Robin1993'', Tim Drake suddenly found himself fighting a surprising villain, the former Batgirl, Cassandra Cain. Not that a FaceHeelTurn was out of the question, but the character had undergone other, more inexplicable changes. Once near-mute and barely able to read, Cass was now loquacious and literate in Navajo. Likewise, her stated motivations directly contradicted the continuity of her own series.
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5	One fan codenamed Espanolbot felt unhappy with the sudden changes and created what amounted to an editorial cartoon in which Cass herself complained about her treatment. This struck a chord with other fans, and similar strips were soon created. Eventually they became a running feature on several forums, known as ''[=CassToons=].''
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7	While the original focus was on the supposed mistreatment of Cass, the strip soon widened up to make fun of events not just in ''Franchise/TheDCU'', but also in the ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'' (especially the ''Civil War'' event) and comic books in general. From there the strips grew to encompass satires on real-world events and themes, movies, videogames, even creating satire on itself and its creators/illustrators/writers.
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9	The art of the early "main" strips were created in Paint, resulting in the style's gradual transition to a Pixel Art style before Espanolbot changed to Free-Hand sketch and scanning. Other strips consist of variable styles but most were made using the Free-Hand sketch and scanning method.
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11	Unlike most webcomics, [=CassToons=] doesn't have its own website. Comics were made and posted to relevant threads in various forums, most of them dead. An "official" archive was maintained [[http://cass-cult.deviantart.com/ here]], but stopped updating in 2009.
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14	!!Tropes used in Casstoons include:
15	* AdaptationalVillainy: ComicBook/JimmyOlsen is The Devil.
16	* AllJustADream: ComicBook/BlackCanary's marriage to ComicBook/GreenArrow.
17	* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: There are some people even Cass cannot defeat, like Chuck Norris.
18	* AnimatedActors: The characters may have to follow the scripts they're given "on screen" but interact very differently when they're "off duty".
19	* ArmorPiercingQuestion: After reading a statement by Beechen about how he "sympathises" with Cass's fans, Cass goes on a rampage, until Tim asks ''how'' exactly she managed to read the interview in the first place.
20	* BSideComics: Many people posted their own cartoons to the Cass Cain thread, and these were compiled at the Website/DeviantArt archive along with the "main" Casstoons. Usually, the side comic was named after the handle of the person who posted it, unless the series came with a natural name.
21	* BackFromTheDead: Many recurring characters are favorites of the writers who have died in the continuity from which they come. Sometimes, the strip will have an explanation for why the character was NotQuiteDead in the first place; said explanation is usually a joke in itself. Other times, the character will explain that they've been ressurrected somehow. Still other times give no explanation whatsoever. Two characters got an entire arc to explain how they came back.
22	* BadassAdorable: Cass is a ruthless, merciless killing machine... who just happens to be a tiny, adorable young woman who enjoys watching cartoons, or singing to ''Music/{{Queen}}'' when the mood takes her.
23	* BerserkButton:
24	** Don't suggest the Mad Hatter hasn't actually read ''Literature/AlicesAdventuresInWonderland''. It shan't end well.
25	** Never call The Shade "Mister Tophat". Dr. Light found out what happens if you do the hard way.
26	* BlackAndWhiteMorality: The Question, and to a greater extent Mister A subscribe to an Objectivist view of this. Mister A therefore regards Squirrel Girl as pure evil.
27	* ButtMonkey: Kid Devil, deliberately flanderizing his status in the comics.
28	* TheCameo: Danny the Street, in no. 953.
29	* CargoShip: In-universe. The Mad Hatter and his hats have a... ''complicated'' relationship.
30	* TheCasanova: Tim Drake.
31	* DemonicPossession: Damien Wayne, in his first appearance, courtesy of Jimmy Olsen.
32	* DumbBlonde: Gold-haired Supergirl is portrayed as a brainless idiot.
33	* EvenTheGirlsWantHer: Cass has this opinion.
34	* EvilTwin: Evilcass, created as a possible explanation for the NotHimself behavior seen in ''Robin''.
35	* FanDisservice: The Joker hijacks a morning talk show, and flashes the audience. The entire cast is traumatised, save Deadpool.
36	* {{Flanderization}}:
37	** Many of the characters have had their personalities exaggerated for comedic purposes.
38	** ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'s then-obnoxious personality was blown up to HeroicComedicSociopath levels. Likewise, her early tendence to develop silly, fleeting crushes was turned into Kara being utterly sex-crazed with the purpose of slut-shaming her.
39	** ComicBook/{{Batwoman}}'s portrayal was well before she received her own series. At the time her HollywoodHypeMachine followed by her lack of appearances gave a perception that she had no actual personality or character beyond being gay. Then her series came out, which quickly rectified the issue.
40	* FollowTheLeader: In-universe, Cass is inspired by Sue Dibny apparently possessing a scarecrow in ''ComicBook/FiftyTwo'', and tries to repeat the process with Steph. Thus the Stephcrow was born.
41	* ForgottenFallenFriend: Stephanie Brown's treatment causes Cass to try and get Bruce to remember her. It doesn't work, and then he forgets who she is as well.
42	* GrammarNazi: Cass, after turning "evil", starts becoming a lot more uptight about grammar, shooting one of her henchman's memos with a gun.
43	* HeelFaceRevolvingDoor: Cass's initial impression of the ''Marvel Universe''.
44	-->'''Cass:''' I swear, the heroes here aren't people, they're ''freaking yo-yos!''
45	* HellBentForLeather: Cass's Batgirl outfit. As Cass learns, wearing it during summer isn't a great idea.
46	* HiddenDepths: The Punisher and Namor are surprisingly effective therapists.
47	* INeedAFreakingDrink: Cass's reaction to learning Deathstroke is behind Titans East.
48	* InfiniteCanvas: Strips run for as many panels as the author wants. Since the strips are originally posted on a message board, this format is fairly natural.
49	* KidFromTheFuture : "Cass Daughters", a running gag developed over time. There currently exists an entire "League of Cass Daughters"
50	* KillItWithFire: Cass' solution to the Japanese ice cream industry. All of it.
51	* LetUsNeverSpeakOfThisAgain: Tim's suggestion when Cass finds him with Connor's head in a jar... on top of a female mannequin.
52	* TheLostLenore: Wonder Girl never stops crying about Connor.
53	* MamaBear: Lady Shiva
54	* MetaFic
55	* NoFourthWall: Often times characters will talk directly to the fans. Writers have even appeared in-strip as well, such as an appearance of Anne Onymous of ''Webcomic/TheWotch'' acclaim, as a thank you for her mention of Casstoons in ''The Wotch'', or the appearance of writer Micheal Dark as a telepathic letter in one strip.
56	* NoSell: Voldemort tries going on a killing rampage through the cast. Nothing he tries works for a variety of reasons.
57	* NotAMorningPerson: Cass, Tim and Steph, so much so it takes them a while to cotton on that A) Vic Sage is alive, and B) In their apartment.
58	* OhCrap: Deadpool, during the Concorpse and Stephcrow incident, when he realises he's the OnlySaneMan. He tries to commit suicide five times, with no luck.
59	* OnlySaneMan: Black-haired Hal, for the Halians. Consequently, he's miserable.
60	* OrphanedSeries: Although [=CassToons=] itself has too much material to be considered "stillborn," the deviantART archive includes the B-Side Comic "[=StarbaToons=]," which unfortunately wasn't illustrated more than once. The scripts were still written and posted, however, as well as included in the archive.
61	* PermaStubble: All the Goddamn characters, save the Goddamn Wonder Woman.
62	* PerpetualSmiler: The Cass Bot.
63	* PixelArtComic
64	* PoliticallyIncorrectHero: Hal Jordan. It's not even the least of his issues.
65	* ProperlyParanoid: Thor is utterly convinced trees are evil, and that squirrels are their agents. [[spoiler:He's right about the latter.]]
66	* PutOnABus: Henchie the Henchman.
67	* RedemptionEqualsDeath: Cass does not approve this trope.
68	* RippedFromTheHeadlines: In the sense that the strip keeps track of and regularly comments on recent developments in comics. Many of the storylines are parodies of unpopular or poorly written recent comic stories.
69	* RobotGirl: Lovecass, created by Tony Stark when the real Cass wouldn't make out with him.
70	* SomeoneElsesProblem: EldritchAbomination attack? Tim's off the clock, and Cass can't be bothered.
71	* ShoutOut:
72	** Casstoon no.174's final panel is a deliberate reference to an issue of ''ComicBook/UltimateXMen'' where Sinister introduced Professor X to his greatest enemy, [[spoiler:"STAIRS!"]]
73	** Dan Didio is usually drawn to resemble Krankor, the villain of ''Film/PrinceOfSpace''. At one point, Cass even calls in the Prince to help fight "Dankor".
74	** The strips leading up to no. 600 are a prolonged shout-out to the witch-burning scene in ''Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail'', with The Shade as Sir Bedevere.
75	** The Sentry's method of stopping ''World War Hulk''? Quote ''ComicBook/SupermanRedSon''.
76	** The Saint of Killer's reaction to being threatened by the Goddamns? "[[Film/BlazingSaddles Piss on you, I'm working for Garth Ennis!]]"
77	* SmugSmiler: Adam Beechen is almost always drawn with a smug grin.
78	* SmugSuper: One early strip has ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} gloating to Cass about how ''ComicBook/Supergirl2005'' was selling better than Cass's own book had.
79	* StiffUpperLip: Alfred, so much so that being set on fire doesn't concern him.
80	* StupidityIsTheOnlyOption: When fixing up Titan Tower's security, Jaime hires Lock-Up. Tim objects, but since the only other people present are Wonder Girl, who starts crying when Lock-Up reminds her of Connor, and M'Gann, who takes him at his word that he's good and refuses to read his mind, he's forced to hire the guy. It predictably goes wrong.
81	* TakeThat: Many, mostly directed at Dan Didio and other executives
82	* ThoseTwoGuys: Several, actualy...Deadpool and the third Blue Beetle, but before them [[KavorkaMan Dual-Kavorka Men]] Hal Jordan and Ollie Queen.
83	* TokenGoodTeammate: Geoff Johns and Greg Rucka, for all of DC. And even they have their bad moments.
84	* TookALevelInKindness: Supergirl eventually mellows out, just not towards Cass.
85	* UnexplainedRecovery: Cass once murdered and buried Bette Kane and Wonder Girl. They got better.
86	** This is quite common of the series in general, though.
87	* UnsoundEffect: "A BIG FLASH"
88	* WalkingShirtlessScene: Superboy-Prime.
89	* WeHaveReserves: Professor X's response to an approaching Hulk is to throw wave after wave of X-Men at him.
90	* YourHeadAsplode: Batman, in one early strip where he kidnaps an infant, and Cass points out this is illegal.
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Context Webcomic / CassToons