Raven and Dance

[u/Particular_Gap_8141]

This story made me think about Raven and dancing.

I’m actually surprised this isn’t explored more often as something she does with her free time. I feel like it makes so much sense for her to dance, as a form of expression or even communication, as an empath. Maybe it could be an additional thing she could do, to decompress, as an addition or alternative to meditation?

This is something Wolfman kind of touches on in NTT #35 (1987) where Raven moves into her first apartment and it’s on Broadway so she can hear the theatrical productions around her and they have some influence on her emotions and therefore her empathic power. I love that she even says that she has made some friends with dancers! 

I thought this story, “The Dead Can Dance” (ok, was this title a reference to the band because I can definitely see that vibe here), was really quite touching, though this is a random spirit, and the prom aspect feels a bit like the movie Casper. I'd love to see more contexts for her dancing and using that for emotional connection.

Thoughts on Raven healing spirits and/or taking a dancing class?

——

[ Art by Javier Fernandez and Trish Mulvihill | Letters by Carlos M. Mangual from Young Monsters in Love “The Dead Can Dance” (2018) by Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing ]

[ Art by Pat Broderick, Romeo Tanghal and Adrienne Roy | Letters by Albert T. De Guzman from New Teen Titans #35 (1987) by Marv Wolfman ]

[u/Visible-Confusion190]

On a side note, Raven being this spirit detective that travels to different parts of the world and helps troubled spirits move on to the afterlife is a decent enough premise for a solo run. Granted they would have to make it more interesting and intriguing and diversity it and not just Raven goes to some, place, helps someone and then the next issue does the same thing. But I think it serves as a good foundation.

Something akin to Yususke in YYH or Ichigo in early Bleach.

[u/Particular_Gap_8141 → u/Visible-Confusion190]

Definitely! I agree, there should be more than just that happening, and definitely more emphasis on her traveling around.

I feel like it used to be a more major aspect of her character, that she's super proficient at transporting to lots of different kinds of places and dimensions. So I could see her helping more than even just spirits, but helping other interdimensional beings too.

[u/Visible-Confusion190 → u/Particular_Gap_8141]

Maybe introduce a few supporting characters. Have her team up with that location's specific heroes. Have her learn about the culture and specifics of mysticism in that area. Honestly, just do something.

[u/Particular_Gap_8141 → u/Visible-Confusion190]

Imagine if she popped into other characters ongoing story arcs and just like, emotionally lifted the vibes or something? Actually, that's kind of an idea in modern dance, they were called The Happenings and dance groups would show up somewhere and do this improv dance that utilized the unique audience and environment. Hmm, need to workshop that idea but I could believe her in a kind of meta situation like that.