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Trope has been disambiguated. Removing ZCE.
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* KickTheSonOfABitch: Does anybody really feel all that sorry for the Ventriloquist? Or the Inzerillos?
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* WeaponOfChoice: Bookworm likes a phaser, for the flexibility it offers.
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* BalefulPolymorph: One [[NoodleIncident background event]] has Bookworm transform many of Gotham's wealthy elite into goats and ransoming the cure. This led to some priceless imagery, but also his humiliating defeat at the hooves of ''Batgoat.''
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* ForcedTransformation: One [[NoodleIncident background event]] has Bookworm transform many of Gotham's wealthy elite into goats and ransoming the cure. This led to some priceless imagery, but also his humiliating defeat at the hooves of ''Batgoat.''
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* AwesomeButImpractical: At one point Bookworm muses on the many, many weapons of mass destruction available to a libriomancer, before pointing out demonstrating this power would move him a great deal up the priority list of the JLA and U.S. government, and he hasn't yet encountered a problem a pocket nuke could solve without creating far greater problems.
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* AwesomeButImpractical: AwesomeButImpractical:
** At one point Bookworm muses on the many, many weapons of mass destruction available to a libriomancer, before pointing out demonstrating this power would move him a great deal up the priority list of the JLA and U.S. government, and he hasn't yet encountered a problem a pocket nuke could solve without creating far greaterproblems.problems.
** Libriomancy itself is this. While the act of pulling objects straight from books sounds cool, Bookworm notes that he’s a third or fourth rate sorcerer compared to more conventional magic users. Libriomancy can’t be used instantly and has a large number of rules to follow, with Bookworm stating that Felix Faust, the [[JokeCharacter joke villain]] of the supernatural world, could beat him in a straight fight.
** At one point Bookworm muses on the many, many weapons of mass destruction available to a libriomancer, before pointing out demonstrating this power would move him a great deal up the priority list of the JLA and U.S. government, and he hasn't yet encountered a problem a pocket nuke could solve without creating far greater
** Libriomancy itself is this. While the act of pulling objects straight from books sounds cool, Bookworm notes that he’s a third or fourth rate sorcerer compared to more conventional magic users. Libriomancy can’t be used instantly and has a large number of rules to follow, with Bookworm stating that Felix Faust, the [[JokeCharacter joke villain]] of the supernatural world, could beat him in a straight fight.
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Dewicked trope
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%%* PowerTrio: Bookworm, Freddy and Vinny.
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* BrutalHonesty: Vinny and Freddy are always ready to serve some up to their boss.
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Commented out zces
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A Franchise/{{Batman}} SelfInsert Fanfic where the protagonist becomes neither a superhero nor an all-powerful MarySue, but a regular in Batman's Rogues Gallery.
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%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
A Franchise/{{Batman}} SelfInsert Fanfic where the protagonist becomesneither a superhero nor an all-powerful MarySue, but a regular in Batman's Rogues Gallery.
A Franchise/{{Batman}} SelfInsert Fanfic where the protagonist becomes
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* BackFromTheDead: The Joker, numerous times.
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* BlackmailIsSuchAnUglyWord: Bookworm much prefers "friendship."
* BreadEggsBreadedEggs: [[https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/a-better-class-of-criminal-dc-si.394632/page-31#post-32789798 I love magic, and books, and cheesing magic from books.]]
* BreadEggsBreadedEggs: [[https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/a-better-class-of-criminal-dc-si.394632/page-31#post-32789798 I love magic, and books, and cheesing magic from books.]]
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* CreateYourOwnVillain: Rather literally, in the case of Capricorn.
** Arguably, Batman did this by capturing and imprisoning Binder the first time.
* CurbstompBattle: Bookworm versus the Ventriloquist.
** Arguably, Batman did this by capturing and imprisoning Binder the first time.
* CurbstompBattle: Bookworm versus the Ventriloquist.
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* EvilTwin: Capricorn, Bookworm's magically created clone.
* FixFic: Of No Man's Land, presumably.
* FromNobodyToNightmare: implied in Bookworm's origin.
* HealingShiv: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Woundhealer]] certainly counts.
* FixFic: Of No Man's Land, presumably.
* FromNobodyToNightmare: implied in Bookworm's origin.
* HealingShiv: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Woundhealer]] certainly counts.
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* ThePowerOfFriendship: Bookworm believes in it. His version is more... [[BlackmailIsSuchAnUglyWord ''inclusive'']] than most people's, though.
* PowerTrio: Bookworm, Freddy and Vinny.
* PragmaticVillainy: Bookworm at least tries to stick to this.
* RayGun: Bookworm's phaser.
* PowerTrio: Bookworm, Freddy and Vinny.
* PragmaticVillainy: Bookworm at least tries to stick to this.
* RayGun: Bookworm's phaser.
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When the author name drops a trope (which he did), it probably belongs on the page, even if it's normally for YMMV.
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* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: In-universe, Bookworm's lieutenants have two very different, diametrically opposed ideas of what lurks within his innermost thoughts. One regards him as a Don Corleone-type with a few quirks, the other thinks he's a madman behind an elaborate MaskOfSanity.
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* MutuallyExclusiveMagic: Discussed. Bookworm’s libriomancy comes from a setting with a strict rule that you can either do magic or be magic, meaning permanent enchantments like turning into a vampire would rob him of it. DC doesn’t have this rule, and his powers seem to be a local variant of libriomancy rather than a truly foreign power, but Bookworm is still too afraid of losing his magic to risk using his SuperEmpowerment abilities on himself, aside from the HolyGrail, a known exception to the rule.
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* MutuallyExclusiveMagic: Discussed. Bookworm’s libriomancy comes from a setting with a strict rule that you can either do magic or be magic, meaning permanent enchantments like turning into a vampire would rob him of it. DC doesn’t have this rule, and his powers seem to be a local variant of libriomancy rather than a truly foreign power, but Bookworm is still too afraid of losing his magic to risk using his SuperEmpowerment SuperEmpowering abilities on himself, aside from the HolyGrail, a known exception to the rule.
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* SuperEmpowering: Bookworm doesn’t use libriomancy to give ''himself'' inherent powers, only magic items, for fear of losing said libromancy in the process. However, there's nothing stopping him from empowering his lieutenants, which he does liberally. Eventually he makes an exception to his rule and drinks from the Holy Grail and to give himself [[Immortality]] and a HealingFactor.
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* SuperEmpowering: Bookworm doesn’t use libriomancy to give ''himself'' inherent powers, only magic items, for fear of losing said libromancy in the process. However, there's nothing stopping him from empowering his lieutenants, which he does liberally. Eventually he makes an exception to his rule and drinks from the Holy Grail and to give himself [[Immortality]] immortality and a HealingFactor.
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* MutuallyExclusiveMagic: Discussed. Bookworm’s libriomancy comes from a setting with a strict rule that you can either do magic or be magic, meaning permanent enchantments like turning into a vampire would rob him of it. DC doesn’t have this rule, and his powers seem to be a local variant of libriomancy rather than a truly foreign power, but Bookworm is still too afraid of losing his magic to risk using his SuperEmpowerment abilities on himself, aside from the HolyGrail, a known exception to the rule.
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* SuperEmpowering: Bookworm can't use libriomancy to give ''himself'' inherent powers, only magic items. However, there's nothing stopping him from empowering his lieutenants.
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* SuperEmpowering: Bookworm can't doesn’t use libriomancy to give ''himself'' inherent powers, only magic items. items, for fear of losing said libromancy in the process. However, there's nothing stopping him from empowering his lieutenants.lieutenants, which he does liberally. Eventually he makes an exception to his rule and drinks from the Holy Grail and to give himself [[Immortality]] and a HealingFactor.
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* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: Outnumber the onscreen moments at this point, but the kicker is probably the time James Moriarty, with [[Literature/LordOfTheRings the One Ring]] soloed the Justice League.
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* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: Outnumber the onscreen moments at this point, but the kicker is probably the time James Moriarty, with [[Literature/LordOfTheRings [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings the One Ring]] soloed the Justice League.
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* ArchEnemy: The Joker, and possibly [[spoiler:Capricorn.]]
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* ArchEnemy: The Joker, and possibly [[spoiler:Capricorn.[[spoiler:Capricorn, a clone the Bookworm made that went rogue.]]
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** Aside from using magic in place of science, Bookworm fits the trope almost perfectly.
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* AllThereInTheManual: The "Libriomancy 101" chapter outlines the basics of what Bookworm's magic can and cannot do.
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* AllThereInTheManual: The "Libriomancy 101" "[[https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/a-better-class-of-criminal-dc-si.394632/#post-22583687 Libriomancy 101]]" chapter outlines the basics of what Bookworm's magic can and cannot do.
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--> [[Two last major downsides. First is, there are some things no amount of belief will let a minor wizard accomplish, like major feats of reality-warping or time travel.]]
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--> [[Two [[https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/a-better-class-of-criminal-dc-si.394632/#post-22583687 Two last major downsides. First is, there are some things no amount of belief will let a minor wizard accomplish, like major feats of reality-warping or time travel.]]
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* StableTimeLoop: Mentioned in [[https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/a-better-class-of-criminal-dc-si.394632/page-37#post-33029423 Error 3]]: "[[spoiler:Rowling's Time-Turner, though, is a special case. Not only is there a ton of belief invested in it, it operates on very limited rules. Six hours back, and not a second longer. No visiting the future. Finally,]] everything operates as a closed time loop.
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* BreadEggsBreadedEggs: [[https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/a-better-class-of-criminal-dc-si.394632/page-31#post-32789798 I love magic, and books, and cheesing magic from books.]]
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* ArchEnemy: The Joker, and possibly [[spoiler: Capricorn.]]
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* ArchEnemy: The Joker, and possibly [[spoiler: Capricorn.[[spoiler:Capricorn.]]
* ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve: How libriomancy works: [[https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/a-better-class-of-criminal-dc-si.394632/#post-22583687 Libriomancy 101]]:
--> I am technically a third or fourth rate sorcerer, who can achieve certain spell-like effects by utilizing shared belief/imagination in a fictional artifact.\\
...\\
If I wanted to fly, I'd go for a classic, J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan. I'd pull out the book, flip to the appropriate page and read. I'd start a bit ahead of the moment I wanted and immerse myself in the story, I need to really be able to picture the scene, then I reach into the book, into the temporary space created by my imagination and pull out the fairy dust, apply and think happy thoughts. Nevermind in the book Peter admits the happy thoughts part was a joke, most people know the story from the stage or film and the dust will work off pure belief energy. The concentrated belief of everyone who knows the story is what's mostly fueling the magic, with my own magic letting me create that space and pin that belief into shape.\\
...\\
fanon can trump canon if it's widely believed enough, hence why I need to think happy thoughts when using my favorite flight magic.
--> I am technically a third or fourth rate sorcerer, who can achieve certain spell-like effects by utilizing shared belief/imagination in a fictional artifact.\\
...\\
If I wanted to fly, I'd go for a classic, J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan. I'd pull out the book, flip to the appropriate page and read. I'd start a bit ahead of the moment I wanted and immerse myself in the story, I need to really be able to picture the scene, then I reach into the book, into the temporary space created by my imagination and pull out the fairy dust, apply and think happy thoughts. Nevermind in the book Peter admits the happy thoughts part was a joke, most people know the story from the stage or film and the dust will work off pure belief energy. The concentrated belief of everyone who knows the story is what's mostly fueling the magic, with my own magic letting me create that space and pin that belief into shape.\\
...\\
fanon can trump canon if it's widely believed enough, hence why I need to think happy thoughts when using my favorite flight magic.
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* ShoutOut: Many, in particular to James Michael Curley and Literature/BookOfSwords. Redwall and even Watership Down get mentions.
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* ShoutOut: Many, in particular to James Michael Curley and Literature/BookOfSwords. Redwall Literature/{{Redwall}} and even Watership Down get mentions.
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-> So I finally pulled the gem off my forehead in the dream, deactivating it in the real world and settled in to sleep, content that I had the beginnings of the plan, that I was being responsible and had done all I reasonably could, and that increasing the infernal powers surrounding Gotham couldn't ''possibly'' have terrible unintended repercussions or bite me in the ass later.
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* TimeTravel:
--> [[Two last major downsides. First is, there are some things no amount of belief will let a minor wizard accomplish, like major feats of reality-warping or time travel.]]
--> [[Two last major downsides. First is, there are some things no amount of belief will let a minor wizard accomplish, like major feats of reality-warping or time travel.]]
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A ComicBook/{{Batman}} SelfInsert Fanfic where the protagonist becomes neither a superhero nor an all-powerful MarySue, but a regular in Batman's Rogues Gallery.
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A ComicBook/{{Batman}} Franchise/{{Batman}} SelfInsert Fanfic where the protagonist becomes neither a superhero nor an all-powerful MarySue, but a regular in Batman's Rogues Gallery.
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* HyperCompetentSidekick: It's clear to see that without Vinny and Freddy, Bookworm wouldn't be half as effective. Especially Freddy.
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* BlackmailIsSuchAnUglyWord: Bookworm much prefers "friendship."
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* CallingYourAttacks: Bookworm sometimes pretends to be casting a more traditional spell, when he's really activating a magic item.
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* InsufferableGenius: Bookworm quite frequently slides into this, and occasionally further into outright evil monologues.
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* OnlySaneMan: Vinny certainly feels this way, give his interlude.
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* ThePowerOfFriendship: Bookworm believes in it. His version is more... [[BlackmailIsSuchAnUglyWord ''inclusive'']] than most people's, though.
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* SwissArmySuperpower: Having libriomancy means almost never being without the perfect tools for the job at hand. Provided one has access to a lot of books and knows exactly where to find what they want.
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* BrutalHonesty: Vinny and Freddy are always ready to serve some up to their boss.
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* TemptingFate: Bookworm seems to do a lot of this.
-> So I finally pulled the gem off my forehead in the dream, deactivating it in the real world and settled in to sleep, content that I had the beginnings of the plan, that I was being responsible and had done all I reasonably could, and that increasing the infernal powers surrounding Gotham couldn't ''possibly'' have terrible unintended repercussions or bite me in the ass later.
-> So I finally pulled the gem off my forehead in the dream, deactivating it in the real world and settled in to sleep, content that I had the beginnings of the plan, that I was being responsible and had done all I reasonably could, and that increasing the infernal powers surrounding Gotham couldn't ''possibly'' have terrible unintended repercussions or bite me in the ass later.
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* ArbitrarilyLargeBankAccount: Bookworm appears to have nigh inexhaustible financial resources, far more than he could ever personally oversee. Justified, in that he can conjure, duplicate or with the tinderbox ''summon'' arbitrarily large amounts of precious metals and gems, and got a start buying a lottery ticket while using a luck potion.
* BizarreHumanBiology: The Devil Face Guys who have undergone genetic manipulation to give them super-strength, and to make their faces naturally look like rubbery devil masks.
* OlderThanTheyLook: Bookworm should logically be approximately fifty, but makes an offhand mention of being able to obtain Apples of Youth whenever he wants.
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* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks: Averted when Farslayer failed to kill Caprocorn, and came right back a short time later.
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* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks: Averted particularly hard when Farslayer (a Sword that always flies to it's target's heart) failed to kill Caprocorn, Capricorn, and came right back a short time later.
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* CutLexLuthorACheck: Discussed in-universe, most supervillains have motives beyond the merely financial, even those who ''say'' they're in it for the money usually want to get it their way.
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* CutLexLuthorACheck: Discussed in-universe, most supervillains have motives beyond the merely financial, even those who ''say'' they're in it for the money usually want to get it ''their way'' in a manner that suits their way.ego and maintains their personal power.
* EvilTwin: Capricorn, Bookworm's magically created clone.
* PowerTrio: Bookworm, Freddy and Vinny.
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* ShoutOut: Many, in particular to James Michael Curley and Literature/BookOfSwords.
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* ShoutOut: Many, in particular to James Michael Curley and Literature/BookOfSwords. Redwall and even Watership Down get mentions.
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* FromNobodyToNightmare: implied in Bookworm's origin.
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* HiddenWeapon: As a holdout, Bookworm has a glove which is both nearly indestructible, and contains a sonic weapon.
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* HiddenWeapon: HiddenWeapons: As a holdout, Bookworm has a glove which is both nearly indestructible, and contains a sonic weapon.
* KickTheSonOfABitch: Does anybody really feel all that sorry for the Ventriloquist? Or the Inzerillos?
* MuggingTheMonster: Three thugs attempt to hold Bookworm up in his own office. Bad idea.
* MundaneUtility: Bookworm can casually destroy buildings with his magic, but he can also multiply food stores, duplicate rare materials, and turns out to be pretty good at search and rescue and disaster relief.
* MundaneUtility: Bookworm can casually destroy buildings with his magic, but he can also multiply food stores, duplicate rare materials, and turns out to be pretty good at search and rescue and disaster relief.
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: Outnumber the onscreen moments at this point, but the kicker is probably the time James Moriarty, with [[Literature/LordOfTheRings the One Ring]] soloed the Justice League.
** Or the time Bookworm and Batman both went back in time to kill/protect Sherlock Holmes.
** Or the time Bookworm and Batman both went back in time to kill/protect Sherlock Holmes.
* PragmaticVillainy: Bookworm at least tries to stick to this.
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* ShoutOut: Many, in particular to James Michael Curley.
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* ShoutOut: Many, in particular to James Michael Curley.Curley and Literature/BookOfSwords.
* SuperEmpowering: Bookworm can't use libriomancy to give ''himself'' inherent powers, only magic items. However, there's nothing stopping him from empowering his lieutenants.
* SuperEmpowering: Bookworm can't use libriomancy to give ''himself'' inherent powers, only magic items. However, there's nothing stopping him from empowering his lieutenants.
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* ThrowingYourSwordAlwaysWorks: Averted when Farslayer failed to kill Caprocorn, and came right back a short time later.
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* WhateverMancy: Libriomancy, the magic of pulling fictional items from books.
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* BalefulPolymorph: One [[NoodleIncident background event]] has Bookworm transform many of Gotham's wealthy elite into goats and ransoming the cure. This led to some priceless imagery, but also his humiliating defeat at the hooves of ''Batgoat.''
* CheapCostume: Prior to the story, Bookworm's traditional costume was a long coat over a mocking or magic-related T-shirt. When running for mayor, he gets an [[CostumeEvolution upgrade]] to reflect his new status.
* CheapCostume: Prior to the story, Bookworm's traditional costume was a long coat over a mocking or magic-related T-shirt. When running for mayor, he gets an [[CostumeEvolution upgrade]] to reflect his new status.
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* CutLexLuthorACheck: Discussed in-universe, most supervillains have motives beyond the merely financial, even those who ''say'' they're in it for the money usually want to get it their way.
* ADayInTheLimelight: The character interludes between story arcs, in much the same manner as [[Literature/{{Worm}} Worm.]]
* DeathTrap: Bookworm has to escape a hastily-built one, steel doors locking him in a room filling with poison gas. Of course, the walls are still relatively flimsy drywall...
* DidntThinkThisThrough: Bookworm has a pronounced tendency to magic away his immediate problems and worry about the consequences later. This has, and may still, set up major explosions like [[spoiler: whatever is due him for having Constantine call upon the powers of Hell to enhance the miasma of dark magic around Gotham.]]
* DisasterDemocracy: Bookworm was elected ''prior'' to the crisis, but says he's willing to submit to another vote if that's what it takes to keep the city together. He does regard it as a waste of time, however.
* DividedStatesOfAmerica: As in canon, Gotham is unceremoniously ejected from the U.S.
* ADayInTheLimelight: The character interludes between story arcs, in much the same manner as [[Literature/{{Worm}} Worm.]]
* DeathTrap: Bookworm has to escape a hastily-built one, steel doors locking him in a room filling with poison gas. Of course, the walls are still relatively flimsy drywall...
* DidntThinkThisThrough: Bookworm has a pronounced tendency to magic away his immediate problems and worry about the consequences later. This has, and may still, set up major explosions like [[spoiler: whatever is due him for having Constantine call upon the powers of Hell to enhance the miasma of dark magic around Gotham.]]
* DisasterDemocracy: Bookworm was elected ''prior'' to the crisis, but says he's willing to submit to another vote if that's what it takes to keep the city together. He does regard it as a waste of time, however.
* DividedStatesOfAmerica: As in canon, Gotham is unceremoniously ejected from the U.S.
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* HeelFaceTurn: Possibly? Going strictly by what Bookworm has done since leaving Arkham at the story beginning, he's been mostly only helping people.
* HiddenWeapon: As a holdout, Bookworm has a glove which is both nearly indestructible, and contains a sonic weapon.
* ImpossiblyCoolClothes: As mayoral candidate and mayor, Bookworm's "uniform" is a suit and long coat bleached impossibly pearly white with a rainbow effect by magic. At one point, he wears a magic cloak over this, passing it off as an opera cape.
* HiddenWeapon: As a holdout, Bookworm has a glove which is both nearly indestructible, and contains a sonic weapon.
* ImpossiblyCoolClothes: As mayoral candidate and mayor, Bookworm's "uniform" is a suit and long coat bleached impossibly pearly white with a rainbow effect by magic. At one point, he wears a magic cloak over this, passing it off as an opera cape.
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* NoFEMAResponse: Averted, to an extent. Disaster relief does come to Gotham, but takes several days to organize and dries up when the actual costs of rebuilding the city are realized.
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* ThisIsGonnaSuck: Almost Bookworm's exact reaction to realizing No Man's Land is about to happen.
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Can be read on Spacebattles [[https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/a-better-class-of-criminal-dc-si.394632/ Here.]]
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* BlizzardOfReferences: Inevitable, really, with a libriomancer. Freddy even calls him out on constantly quoting Tolkien.
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* BadassBookworm: But of course. Bookworm's exhaustive knowledge of science fiction and fantasy make him much more dangerous, since he knows where to find the good stuff.
* BlizzardOfReferences: Inevitable, really, with a libriomancer. Freddy even calls him out on constantly quoting Tolkien.
* BlizzardOfReferences: Inevitable, really, with a libriomancer. Freddy even calls him out on constantly quoting Tolkien.
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* HealingShiv: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Woundhealer]] certainly counts.
* IntimidationDemonstration: Bookworm at one point vaporizes much of a building, before daring it's owner to do something about it. For context, the tower had fallen and was blocking a street, and the wealthy owner was threatening to sue anyone who dared demolish it to clear the road.
* IntimidationDemonstration: Bookworm at one point vaporizes much of a building, before daring it's owner to do something about it. For context, the tower had fallen and was blocking a street, and the wealthy owner was threatening to sue anyone who dared demolish it to clear the road.
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* NoodleIncident: The time Bookworm held the city hostage with a Giant DeathRay.
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* RayGun: Bookworm's phaser.
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* WeaponOfChoice: Bookworm likes a phaser, for the flexibility it offers.
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** There's usually a bit at the end of each chapter where every magic item is explained, along with [[ShownTheirWork where it's from.]]
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* TheDragon: Freddy is this to Bookworm.
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** Arguably, Batman did this by capturing and imprisoning Binder the first time.
* CurbstompBattle: Bookworm versus the Ventriloquist.
* TheDragon: Freddy is this toBookworm.Bookworm, being far more physically powerful after being enhanced with various magics.
* CurbstompBattle: Bookworm versus the Ventriloquist.
* TheDragon: Freddy is this to
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* MadScientist: Bookworm once invented one out of whole cloth, rather than answer awkward questions about precisely who is responsible for the interdimensional portal and the invading army of vampires.
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A ComicBook/{{Batman}} SelfInsert Fanfic where the protagonist becomes neither a superhero nor an all-powerful MarySue, but a regular in Batman's Rogues Gallery.
John Binder lived an ordinary life, until Loki scoops him up and dumps him in Gotham with the power of [[Literature/MagicExLibris libriomancy]]. At first he tries to survive by mugging criminals, then magically duplicating the money, which gets Batman to beat him up and throw him in prison for counterfeiting. Which leads him to decide to allow himself to be possessed by the shade of [[Literature/SherlockHolmes Professor James Moriarty]] and become a magical gangster when he leaves prison, infiltrating and subverting a substantial mob and utterly annihilating another.
This is just the backstory though.
The story actually begins with Binder, or Bookworm as he is now called, being released from Arkham for the umpteenth time and declaring his intention to run for mayor. He wins, just in time for the Cataclsym and [[ComicBook/BatmanNoMansLand NML]].
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!! A Better Class of Criminal contains examples of:
* AllThereInTheManual: The "Libriomancy 101" chapter outlines the basics of what Bookworm's magic can and cannot do.
* ArchEnemy: The Joker, and possibly [[spoiler: Capricorn.]]
* AuthorAppeal: Shortly after mentioning James Michael Curley for the first time, the author dedicates a lengthy post to praising the man.
* AwesomeButImpractical: At one point Bookworm muses on the many, many weapons of mass destruction available to a libriomancer, before pointing out demonstrating this power would move him a great deal up the priority list of the JLA and U.S. government, and he hasn't yet encountered a problem a pocket nuke could solve without creating far greater problems.
* BackFromTheDead: The Joker, numerous times.
* CreateYourOwnVillain: Rather literally, in the case of Capricorn.
* TheDragon: Freddy is this to Bookworm.
* FixFic: Of No Man's Land, presumably.
* MobWar: A few snippets are seen in a flashback as a younger Bookworm and Freddy brutally dismantle the Inzerillo crime family in a single night.
* PetTheDog: Bookworm gets a few chances to do this, though usually with a disclaimer that he's getting some pragmatic benefit from it.
* RedHerring: The author claims to be following the "J.K. Rowling School of throwing so much ''stuff'' at you, you can't distinguish whimsy from foreshadowing."
* ShoutOut: Many, in particular to James Michael Curley.
* VillainProtagonist: Very much so. He may be trying to do better, or it may all be a cover for the RevengePlot.
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John Binder lived an ordinary life, until Loki scoops him up and dumps him in Gotham with the power of [[Literature/MagicExLibris libriomancy]]. At first he tries to survive by mugging criminals, then magically duplicating the money, which gets Batman to beat him up and throw him in prison for counterfeiting. Which leads him to decide to allow himself to be possessed by the shade of [[Literature/SherlockHolmes Professor James Moriarty]] and become a magical gangster when he leaves prison, infiltrating and subverting a substantial mob and utterly annihilating another.
This is just the backstory though.
The story actually begins with Binder, or Bookworm as he is now called, being released from Arkham for the umpteenth time and declaring his intention to run for mayor. He wins, just in time for the Cataclsym and [[ComicBook/BatmanNoMansLand NML]].
----
!! A Better Class of Criminal contains examples of:
* AllThereInTheManual: The "Libriomancy 101" chapter outlines the basics of what Bookworm's magic can and cannot do.
* ArchEnemy: The Joker, and possibly [[spoiler: Capricorn.]]
* AuthorAppeal: Shortly after mentioning James Michael Curley for the first time, the author dedicates a lengthy post to praising the man.
* AwesomeButImpractical: At one point Bookworm muses on the many, many weapons of mass destruction available to a libriomancer, before pointing out demonstrating this power would move him a great deal up the priority list of the JLA and U.S. government, and he hasn't yet encountered a problem a pocket nuke could solve without creating far greater problems.
* BackFromTheDead: The Joker, numerous times.
* CreateYourOwnVillain: Rather literally, in the case of Capricorn.
* TheDragon: Freddy is this to Bookworm.
* FixFic: Of No Man's Land, presumably.
* MobWar: A few snippets are seen in a flashback as a younger Bookworm and Freddy brutally dismantle the Inzerillo crime family in a single night.
* PetTheDog: Bookworm gets a few chances to do this, though usually with a disclaimer that he's getting some pragmatic benefit from it.
* RedHerring: The author claims to be following the "J.K. Rowling School of throwing so much ''stuff'' at you, you can't distinguish whimsy from foreshadowing."
* ShoutOut: Many, in particular to James Michael Curley.
* VillainProtagonist: Very much so. He may be trying to do better, or it may all be a cover for the RevengePlot.
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