Time.

Time.

I’m at home alone with COVID, which is giving me time to naval-gaze and empty my inbox. In that inbox, I discovered that my friend Alex Gorosh (director of my series RoadFood) sent me this little documentary short on the topic of time.

For some reason, the unfathomable magnitude of space and time has always been a great source of comfort to me. I remember feeling miserable as a teenager and looking up at the stars of the night sky and taking great comfort in the fact that I was just a speck on this tiny blue planet in an ever-expanding universe of quintillions of planets. Looking up at the night sky on a clear night in New England as a kid I could see faint glow of the milky way—hundreds of billions of stars so distant they ceased to be points of light, but together they added up to a dusty smudge of luminosity across the sky—and all of the stars the Milky Way are in our own galaxy! And there are hundreds of billions of stars in hundreds of billions of other galaxies in this universe. To my high school mind all of this comforted me, because how could my little problems ever feel big when held up to the enormity of everything.

I always remember being soothed by the vastness of the universe, but when I was 40, I read “Annals of the Former World,” a tome on geology by John McPhee. The book beautifully illustrated the great expanse of geologic time, which so often exceeds the limits of our comprehension with this simple quote, “Consider the Earth’s history as the old measure of the English yard, the distance from the king’s nose to the tip of his outstretched hand. One stroke of a nail file on his middle finger erases human history.”

When I remember to remember, this too comforts me. The infinitesimally-small-smallness of my troubles helps them fade into nothing. Watching these few minutes on Youtube this morning, it was comforting to see that I am not alone in this perspective on our blink of time in this world. 

https://youtu.be/nOVvEbH2GC0

The Character Setting of Harvey Dent in CW Gotham Knights

After I finished reading Cameron West’s “First Person Plural: My Life as a Multiple, 1998”, and Detective Comics #1062 - #1068, I think Harvey Dent’s symptoms of DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder) described in CW “Gotham Knights” are quite accurate and well written. Losing time and the memory during that period, slowly losing grasp of the reality, anxiety, even the spiraling camera move while listening to the trigger piano music (the shot which implied that Light!Harvey was fading into somewhere else)... these symptoms and feelings were also described in Cameron West’s book. Fugue Harvey (his alter ego) was a piece of Harvey’s mind, split during Harvey’s childhood trauma event to protect himself from the hurt and painful memory. He kept down his burning rage and was capable of being violent to “do what needs to be done”, sort of like the combination of “Switch (one of West’s personalities who was full of anger and the tendency of self-harm)” and “Leif (one of West’s personalities who was a smart and tough action guy)”. Anyway, as Misha said, Harvey’s character setting in the show was really grounded, well thought and felt real to me, kudos to Misha Collins, the writers and showrunners! I truly hope one day there’ll be a chance for us to see how Misha’s Harvey develops the OCD (Obsessive-compulsive Disorder) of flipping the coin to make decisions, instantly changes between himself and his alter ego while bickering with each other in one scene, and becomes the iconic super villain Two-Face who rules half of Gotham City’s Underworld. :)

Thank you for this heartwarming reply! I do developed an interest in Harvey’s stories after Misha decided to portray this role. So I’m doing my research via reading DC comics and watching YouTube videos of Two-Face to try to get a better understanding of Harvey. It’s my pleasure to have you as my guide on this fascinating quest. :) To show my admiration toward this character, I made some fanvids and wrote two fanfics (”In the Basement” and “The Man in the Mirror”) for Harvey, his alter ego and Gotham Knights if you’re interested. I tried my best not to be OOC, and based my stories on the foundation of the show and canon DC comics, that’s why this background research is so important to me.  I’m definitely gonna read your recommendations, there’s so much I need to learn and I’m excited for this exploration. Thank you and love you! :)

Hi, I want to read some DC comics about how Harvey transformed from former DA to the criminal mastermind who ruled half of Gotham's Underworld (against the Penguin). I've already read/seen: Two-Face: A Celebration of 75 Years Batman: The Long Halloween Batman: Dark Victory (1999) Batman '89 Batman: The Animated Series Batman: The Audio Adventures

Any other reading recommendations? Thanks a lot for your help. :)

So you're looking for origin stories, or at least ones that shed more light on Two-Face's origin? Well first off, I'm glad you read the 75th Anniversary collection, because that has three of my very favorites: the original Harvey Kent trilogy from 1942-43, the Grace Dent story from Secret Origins Special (1989), and "Eye of the Beholder" from Batman Annual #14 (1990).

Besides those, and the ones you've listed, here are a few others to check out. Some are great, some are mixed bags, and some are downright lousy.

First and foremost, I STRONGLY recommend the 1989 Batman newspaper comic strip, which I loved so much that I posted the whole two-year saga on its own tumblr account. You can start from the very beginning right here, but keep in mind that Harvey's storyline--which runs all the way to the very last strip--doesn't really start until the second arc.

Next, Batman: Dual to the Death by Geary Gravel is a YA novelization of the BTAS origin, seamlessly combined with the two-part Batgirl origin episodes. It improves on both the animated versions in small but crucial ways, and it's highly recommended for BTAS fans. Unfortunately, it's pretty hard to find.

On a similar note, Peter David's movie novelization of Batman Forever can be found more easily, either in used book form or on the Internet Archive, and it's absolutely worth reading. I love the movie of Batman Forever, but it's objectively a terrible take on Harvey. The novelization adds SO MUCH, including an original prequel scene with D.A. Harvey Dent, and his ending is far more satisfying.

Cartoon Network's CGI animated series Beware the Batman (2013) also features a series-long origin arc for Harvey Dent, but it's one of the worst takes I've ever seen on the character. He's a petty, selfish, ambitious little prick, an absolute scumbag, completely devoid of depth or tragedy. Thankfully, few have seen this arc, since the majority of Harvey's episodes were never aired after the series was cancelled, but they're all available to watch for those morbidly curious to see just how badly someone can screw up Harvey as a character.

"The Big Burn" from Batman and Robin, vol 2 #24-28 (2014), also collected in B&R volume 5. After the huge DC reboot, this was Harvey new origin, which tried some very different things with him. A VERY mixed bag, but one that ended in a hugely exciting way that makes the whole thing worth reading. Follow it up with its sequel, "Ugly Heart," from Detective Comics #1020-1024, collected in Detective Comics Vol 5: Joker War.

Finally, watch the entirety of the recently-released/cancelled CW series Gotham Knights, with Misha Collins performing a surprisingly rich, interesting, and flawed Harvey Dent origin arc. The show got a lot of shit, some of it undeserved, but Collins' Harvey was an intriguing surprise, and I fear nothing we see from Harvey in any Reevesverse media will bring half as much care and interest to Harvey as GK did, for better or worse. All 13 episodes can be watched for free on CW Seed, region permitting.

EDIT: Oh right also the Telltale Batman video game! I haven't actually played that yet because I know enough about what happens and the illusion of meaningful choice indicative of Telltale games that I just don't feel like putting myself through that. People seem to like it a lot, though! I just... don't put me in a position of choosing to save either Harvey or Selina if you're just going to cheat and have him go evil anyway.

About CW Gotham Knights Two-Face’s Half-burned Suit

Video 1:

https://twitter.com/JMNDesigns/status/1681501109402361856

Video 2:

https://twitter.com/JMNDesigns/status/1681501618355994624

Video 3:

https://twitter.com/JMNDesigns/status/1681502974802288641

Video 4:

https://twitter.com/JMNDesigns/status/1681503503091650560

Video 5:

https://twitter.com/JMNDesigns/status/1681507066849144832

Source: Jennifer May Nickel's Twitter Thank you so much for sharing this process with us! I absolutely love this subtle yet gorgeous look! You really are a talented and outstanding costume designer! Love you~~ 

Light (Fanvid) Lyrics Translation

光明　歌詞英翻中

將自己剪輯的影片，歌詞翻譯成中文，歡迎指正，Enjoy~ :)

—–

1 00:03:06,627 --> 00:03:11,944 ♪ 希望這些詞句能成為 ♪

♪ May these words be the first ♪

2 00:03:11,944 --> 00:03:17,366 ♪ 妳最初聽到的話語 ♪

♪ To find your ears ♪

3 00:03:17,366 --> 00:03:22,996 ♪ 這世界比太陽更明亮 ♪

♪ The world is brighter than the sun ♪

4 00:03:22,996 --> 00:03:29,356 ♪ 因為此刻有妳在這裡 ♪

♪ Now that you're here ♪

5 00:03:29,356 --> 00:03:40,442 ♪ 雖然妳的眼睛會需要些時間來適應 ♪

♪ Though your eyes will need some time to adjust ♪

6 00:03:40,442 --> 00:03:52,988 ♪ 這環繞我們令人眩目的光明 ♪

♪ To the overwhelming light surrounding us ♪

7 00:03:52,988 --> 00:03:56,046 ♪ 我會給妳我所有的一切 ♪

♪ I'll give you everything I have ♪

8 00:03:56,046 --> 00:03:59,279 ♪ 我會教妳我所知的一切 ♪

♪ I'll teach you everything I know ♪

9 00:03:59,279 --> 00:04:04,318 ♪ 我發誓我會做得更好 ♪

♪ I promise I'll do better ♪

10 00:04:04,318 --> 00:04:06,751 ♪ 我會永遠緊緊擁抱妳 ♪

♪ I will always hold you close ♪

11 00:04:06,751 --> 00:04:10,330 ♪ 但我會學著放手讓妳走 ♪

♪ But I will learn to let you go ♪

12 00:04:10,330 --> 00:04:15,369 ♪ 我發誓我會做得更好 ♪

♪ I promise I'll do better ♪

13 00:04:15,369 --> 00:04:17,872 ♪ 我會軟化每個稜角 ♪

♪ I will soften every edge ♪

14 00:04:17,872 --> 00:04:23,224 ♪ 我會讓世界保持最佳狀態 ♪

♪ I'll hold the world to its best ♪

15 00:04:23,224 --> 00:04:26,108 ♪ 而且我會做得更好 ♪

♪ And I'll do better ♪

16 00:04:26,108 --> 00:04:28,958 ♪ 以我剩下的每次心跳 ♪

♪ With every heartbeat I have left ♪

17 00:04:28,958 --> 00:04:33,963 ♪ 我會守護妳的每次呼吸 ♪

♪ I will defend your every breath ♪

18 00:04:33,963 --> 00:04:40,809 ♪ 而且我會做得更好 ♪

♪ And I'll do better ♪

19 00:04:40,809 --> 00:04:44,215 ♪ 因為妳是被愛著的 ♪

♪ 'Cause you are loved ♪

20 00:04:44,215 --> 00:04:52,173 ♪ 妳被愛得遠勝於妳所知 ♪

♪ You are loved more than you know ♪

21 00:04:52,173 --> 00:04:57,769 ♪ 我在此立誓以我所有的日子 ♪

♪ I hereby pledge all of my days ♪

22 00:04:57,769 --> 00:05:04,685 ♪ 來證明確實如此 ♪

♪ To prove it so ♪

23 00:05:04,685 --> 00:05:15,528 ♪ 雖然妳的心太過年輕而不明白 ♪

♪ Though your heart is far too young to realize ♪

24 00:05:15,528 --> 00:05:28,734 ♪ 妳內在蘊藏著無可想像的光明 ♪

♪ The unimaginable light you hold inside ♪

25 00:05:28,734 --> 00:05:31,862 ♪ 我會給妳我所有的一切 ♪

♪ I'll give you everything I have ♪

26 00:05:31,862 --> 00:05:35,268 ♪ 我會教妳我所知的一切 ♪

♪ I'll teach you everything I know ♪

27 00:05:35,268 --> 00:05:40,655 ♪ 我發誓我會做得更好 ♪

♪ I promise I'll do better ♪

28 00:05:40,655 --> 00:05:43,261 ♪ 我會永遠緊緊擁抱妳 ♪

♪ I will always hold you close ♪

29 00:05:43,261 --> 00:05:46,563 ♪ 但我會學著放手讓妳走 ♪

♪ But I will learn to let you go ♪

30 00:05:46,563 --> 00:05:52,019 ♪ 我發誓我會做得更好 ♪

♪ I promise I'll do better ♪

31 00:05:52,019 --> 00:05:54,834 ♪ 我會重新排列群星 ♪

♪ I will rearrange the stars ♪

32 00:05:54,834 --> 00:05:58,101 ♪ 將它們拉下凡塵到妳所在之地 ♪

♪ Pull 'em down to where you are ♪

33 00:05:58,101 --> 00:06:03,314 ♪ 我發誓　我會做得更好 ♪

♪ I promise, I'll do better ♪

34 00:06:03,314 --> 00:06:05,920 ♪ 以我剩下的每次心跳 ♪

♪ With every heartbeat I have left ♪

35 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:09,257 ♪ 我會守護妳的每次呼吸 ♪

♪ I'll defend your every breath ♪

36 00:06:09,257 --> 00:06:14,296 ♪ 我發誓我會做得更好 ♪

♪ I promise I'll do better ♪

37 00:06:14,296 --> 00:06:17,111 ♪ 我會軟化每個稜角 ♪

♪ I will soften every edge ♪

38 00:06:17,111 --> 00:06:21,768 ♪ 我會讓世界保持最佳狀態 ♪

♪ Hold the world to its best ♪

39 00:06:21,768 --> 00:06:25,591 ♪ 我發誓我會做得更好 ♪

♪ I promise I'll do better ♪

40 00:06:25,591 --> 00:06:27,954 ♪ 以我剩下的每次心跳 ♪

♪ With every heartbeat I have left ♪

41 00:06:27,954 --> 00:06:36,816 ♪ 我會守護妳的每次呼吸 ♪

♪ I'll defend your every breath ♪

—–

BGM: Sleeping At Last - Light

https://youtu.be/lJbscoDctuU

CW Gotham Knights - Fugue Harvey Dent & Misha Collins Tribute - Play With Fire (Fanvid)

【原創】【哥譚騎士】賦格哈維及 Misha Collins 獻禮 - 玩弄火焰 Play With Fire

Happy Birthday @mishacollins! This is my tribute to the beloved Fugue Harvey (Harvey Dent's alter ego), and the amazing actor Misha Collins. This took me about 3 days to plan, search for materials, and edit. As a diehard Misha fan, this shows what kind of man Fugue Harvey was. Hope you'll like it. Enjoy! :)

Misha 生日快樂！ 這是我為紀念賦格哈維（哈維．丹特次人格），和感謝出色的演員 Misha Collins，花了三天剪輯完成的作品。身為死忠 Misha 粉，這影片展現出賦格哈維是個怎樣的人，希望各位喜歡~ ^^

Subtitles 字幕： English / Chinese lines and BGM lyrics 英／中文對白及 BGM 歌詞

Related Other Fanvids Playlist 相關其他作品播放清單：

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLttIMdZhz5UUqPi09HqcT4QyfiwYYCTv https://space.bilibili.com/1534665633/channel/seriesdetail?sid=3210682 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLttIMdZhz5W-dbwvLhu5XyIAR_e-DUuO https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLttIMdZhz5VlwtGET351V-oxUMFDV4AL https://space.bilibili.com/1534665633/channel/detail?cid=161733 https://www.instagram.com/egoismht07/channel/ https://www.tiktok.com/@egoismht?lang=zh-Hant-TW https://www.threads.net/@egoismht07

Show: #CWGothamKnights

Software: VideoPad Professional v11.80 格式工廠 X64 v5.14

BGM: Sam Tinnesz - Play With Fire (feat. Yacht Money) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np02phdwrwk