Avenger Knight
by Reyel is a crossover between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Batman, transplanting Batman and some of his direct unique adversaries into the MCU.
The author has also written Avenger of Steel and Avenger Goddess, which add Superman and Wonder Woman to other versions of the MCU. Where these fics focused on adapting the heroes from Man of Steel and Wonder Woman (2017) for the new universe, this version of Batman is stated to be based on a blend of media adaptations, including the comics, the animated shows, and the Arkham games series.
Can also be found on AO3.
Avenger Knight contains examples of:
- Adaptational Badass:
- Applies to Loki's forces in particular; rather than relying solely on the Chitauri, some brainwashed agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and mercenaries, here his invading army includes some of Batman's rogues and members of the Suicide Squad, including Deadshot, Killer Croc and Killer Frost.
- Unlike in the movie, where the NYPD and the New York National Guard was fighting with little effect during the Chitauri Invasion, the GCPD manages to actually hold their own, and the National Guard is deploying to parts of Gotham.
- Adaptation Distillation: Unlike the author's other fics, which focused on the versions of Superman and Wonder Woman from the DC Extended Universe, this version of Batman is stated to be based on a range of sources.
- Adaptational Nationality: A minor one; Pepper Potts is apparently a native of Gotham City, with Tony reflecting that she's the only good thing to come out of it.
- Battle in the Center of the Mind: Between Batman and Joker when they're fighting over Loki's Scepter.
- The Big Rotten Apple: Like other Batman continuities, Gotham serves as an analogue for the dark side of New York City. Steve, who had always been told in his childhood to never visit Gotham, notices that New York's sister city (with it's own Statue of Liberty, named the Statue of Justice) has a darkness to it that New York lacked.
- Composite Character: Well, Composite Location. While not as bad, New York City takes the place of Blüdhaven as the city Nightwing moved to after he gave up the mantle of Robin. It also takes the place of the DCEU Metropolis as Gotham's sister city across a body of water.
- Childhood Friends: Pepper and Bruce Wayne were friends when they were young, and she still cares about him enough that Tony notes she would be heartbroken if he got killed during the invasion.
- Destructive Savior: The Hulk is this in the opening battle as always, although Bruce Banner has enough control to ensure that, for example, the Hulk only uses an empty school bus as a weapon and doesn't go after the Batmobile.
- Dramatic Irony: Gordon thinks to himself that Tony Stark flying around, fighting aliens in his Iron Man suit is as absurd as, say, Bruce Wayne starting to fight crime alongside Batman.
- The Dreaded: Gotham's villains might focus on Batman, but Clint's reflections make it clear that they're all so dangerous that the world is frankly lucky that Batman both stopped them when he did and that they've subsequently focused their intentions on him rather than turning their attention elsewhere; he is shown to be particularly disturbed at the idea of what might have happened if the Joker tried to form an army in some small, out-of-notice, country.
- Enemy Mine: Once freed from Loki's control, Deadshot, Killer Frost, and Killer Croc all assist the Avengers in going after the Chitauri.
- Even Evil Has Standards:
- Loki cites the chaos and corruption of Gotham as an example of what he claims he's trying to dispose of by conquering Earth.
- Harley was so disturbed by the Joker's brutal murder of Jason Todd that she tipped Batman off on how to find him.
- As noted under Enemy Mine, a lot of Batman's rogues only fought for Loki due to mind control, and switch sides to help the Avengers the moment they're freed.
- Everyone Has Standards: Natasha notes that she's no saint, but is still disgusted by the crimes of many of the people locked up in Arkham Asylum.
- Mythology Gag:
- Barbara Gordon works with two other vigilantes, Black Canary and Huntress.
- Gotham City has blimps in its skies.
- It isn't the first time Nightwing has settled in New York City.
- "Not So Different" Remark: While he still doesn't fully like him, Tony notes that he sees some of himself in Batman. Namely, the drive and determination to see that something is wrong, and to decide to go out and fix it, no matter what it takes. For Tony, it was building his suit to go and fight everyone who had used his company's weapons to harm the innocent. For Batman, it is his never-ending crusade against the criminals and terrorists who infest Gotham. Of course, Tony is currently unaware of all the other similarities they have.
- Police Are Useless: Averted. Even Fury is surprised at how effective the GCPD is in providing support against the Chitauri, with Commissioner Gordon noting that the one good thing to come out of all the crises the city has faced over the years is that it had hardened the officers serving under him, resulting in them being skilled enough and brave enough to stand their ground and assist in fighting off the invasion while evacuating civilians.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: Commissioner Gordon recognizes that the Hulk is fighting against the alien invasion and Nick Fury trusts Batman enough to let him go after the Scepter. Fury has also been turning a blind eye to Batman's activities over the past decade, recognizing that he's one of the few things keeping Gotham standing and keeping the incredibly dangerous criminals and terrorists there from turning their attention to the outside world.
- Underestimating Badassery: Witnessing Poison Ivy in action during the Battle of Gotham prompts Fury to reflect that he underestimated the villain in question, although concedes that her use of alien plants may be tipping the scales.
- Wretched Hive: Gotham is presented as such a dark city that some characters wonder if it's actually cursed, with characters like Clint reflecting that it's clear that Batman is the only reason it hasn't fallen apart already. It's apparently been like this for decades with Steve recalling on how his mother always told him to never go to Gotham when he was young.
