Made Some More Talia Al Ghul Art!

This is a very very cool post. I personally refer to Talia as the heart of the demon as well, but I had never put much thought into the others, aside from Nyssa. I’ve dabbled with her a bit, but not even remotely close to as much as Talia!

since al ghul isn't really a surname — it's a title, meaning "of the demon," i started thinking about the different monikers (i.e., organs) that could be attributed to the other members of the family.

ra's is the head, the mind that plots, the will that commands. rúh, the soul, is the unseen force—the essence of the dynasty.

talia al ghul – the heart (qalb) talia is the emotional core of the al ghul family, often torn between loyalty to her father and her love for bruce wayne. her decisions, though calculated, are deeply driven by matters of the heart—love, betrayal, and faith. she embodies passion and connection, making her the family’s qalb.

dusan al ghul – the shadow (dhil) dusan, the "white ghost," operates in the margins of the al ghul legacy. his role is one of quiet devotion, cast aside, yet, always present. his loyalty and sacrifice, earn him the title of the dhil, the shadow that follows without faltering.

nyssa raatko – the spine (amud al-faqr) nyssa is the backbone of resistance and rebellion within the al ghul family. her strength and defiance against her father’s rule position her as the amud al-faqr, the spine, unyielding and essential for standing tall against opposition.

melisande – the blood (dam) melisande represents the lifeline that connects the family to its mortal roots. her role in the al ghul saga may be fleeting, but her influence flows through talia and the family’s lineage, much like blood sustains life. she is the dam, a vital yet often overlooked element.

sora – the lungs (riyah) sora, ra’s al ghul’s lost love, is the breath of life that once inspired him. her memory fuels his ambition, and her loss suffocates him. she is the riyah, the lungs, symbolising both the life-giving force and the void left behind when it is gone.

damian wayne – the hands (aydi) damian, born of both the waynes and the al ghuls, is the agent of the family’s will. whether building or destroying, his actions carry the burden of legacy. as the aydi, the hands, he represents both creation and conflict, the tangible force that shapes the future.

athanasia al ghul - the pulse (nafas) athanasia is the constant heartbeat that keeps their future alive. she sustains life, binding the waynes and the al ghuls, a reminder that their stength lies not just in their past, but in their ability to endure and evolve. this vitality makes her the nabadh, the pulse, the promise of renewal.

mara al ghul – the eyes (ayn) mara is the family’s watcher, a presence that perceives more than what it reveals. she is a visionary, seeing not just what is before her, but what lies beneath and beyond. she is the ayn, the eyes, ever watchful, attuned to every rhythm and dissonance.

[ we know very little about dusan's wife, but i think that she would be the sawt, the voice, a balance between silence and sound. ]

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I just opened up my ask page, which I did not have before because I’m very stupid and do not know how to use tumblr. I would really appreciate it if people would submit any questions they have, especially about Talia and the Al Ghul family. Also, if you have any tips on how I can make my page a bit more tumblr friendly, I’d so greatly appreciate it! I really don’t use tumblr much, I don’t have the most practice with it, so I’m still figuring things out. I hope to make my posts more aesthetically pleasing in the future. Thank youuu!!

talia,

otherwise known as the daughter of the demon, is the daughter of batman’s long-time immortal foe, ra’s al ghul. she was introduced in detective comics #411 by dennis o’neil, where she candidly unmasked batman to tend to his wounds after they were captured by doctor darrk. the relationship that developed between them in the following decades was complicated, with talia caught between her love for bruce and her loyalty to ra’s. over time, she forged an identity for herself that rendered her one of the most nuanced members of the batman mythos until her character re-vamp by grant morrison in batman & son.

this list covers a comprehensive, chronological, in-continuity timeline of her character prior to its assassination. elseworld’s titles have been ignored, as have other media such as shows, films, video games, etc. the goal of this list is to give a cohesive account of talia’s pre-morrison character arc. not every single appearance is included here due to instances of mischaracterization (see the end of this post), but this nonetheless covers almost all of the bases.

also, thank you so much to @harunosakuras​ for making the above banner! you can check out her account for more stellar comic edits 😊

introduction (1971-1980) 🗡️

most of these issues have been compiled into tales of the demon, with the exception of batman #257, black lightning: year one #3-4, and the brave and the bold #159.

detective comics #411

batman 232, 235, 240, 243-44, 257

black lightning: year one #3-4 — i think these issues are a better re-interpretation of black lightning’s origins in terms of their talia characterization than black lightning (1977) #2.

dc special series #15 — there’s some racist writing, namely of ra’s drugging bruce and wedding him to talia under preconceived notions regarding marriage in eastern cultures, but the marriage is rendered moot within the issue and treated as a one-note plot point.

detective comics #485

the brave and the bold #159

detective comics #490

Keep reading

Death of the Demon

Short story in which Talia murders her father, intent on tending to her son and living happily.

CW // Implied/mentioned suicide, Graphic depiction of pain/ injury

Talia stands on the edge of a cliff, looking across at the mountain range before her. Her legacy, she thinks, land that should be hers. Was supposed to be hers. This cliff was hers, this palace was hers, this army was hers. It was meant to be. When Ra’s passed… but he never did. He never will. The lazarus pits scattered across the globe prevent this from being the case. And as she gazes out at the horizon, watching the servants carry as much luggage as they can, she realizes it is endless. This pointless cycle. Where Ra’s gets himself killed and his body is retrieved by those who revere him. Who fear his wrath even in death. As his body is tossed, again and again, into pits of green liquid. Bubbling and boiling and spitting him back out, worse and worse each time. There was no beating someone who laughs in the face of death.

It infuriated her. Knowing she had no control over a single aspect of her life. Not even the people she loves. For so long she’s been awake, waiting, plotting… pondering over hundreds of options. And now she had everything put into play. Her people were leaving, moving on to a new place with a new and fresh lazarus pit. The one they’d been using for so many years now was slowly drying up, but it had one use left. One she intended to take.

She glances out at the horizon once again, taking in the pleasant warmth of the setting sun. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Her eyes open slowly and she begins to hum a tune, singing quietly as she steps closer to the ledge. “Nami nami ya sghiri, ta ighfa a’al hasiri.” The lullaby grows louder in her head, her mothers voice coming into mind. Her eyes close again as she thinks of her mother.

“Nami a’altimi ta tnzah, I’gheymi.” Her mother sings to her, softly so not to wake her father who sleeps in the other room. “W yseer a’ana dawo kbeer, yedawi a’a kil ‘ljeeri.” Soft hands smooth over her forehead, tucking strands of hair away from Talias face and behind her ear. Her mother presses a kiss to her forehead, and Talia drifts to sleep.

“Bukra bayyek jayye… Hamel ghallet ‘lemon…” Talia sings, stepping closer to the edge, until her toes hang across it. Her brows furrow, and she thinks of her son. All the times she’d sung that lullaby to him just as her mother had to her.

“Bijeblek tanura w shal, ta tedfi bkanon.” She’d lay in bed with him, his head on her lap, and she’d stroke his tired face with such a gentle caress. One you would never expect from the dragoness. “Ya zaghtturet elhandaqa, sha’arek aswad w mna’aa…” Even when he was surely asleep, she would sing. And when the song was finished she would lay back on the headboard and stay with him, rubbing his back until she grew comfortable enough to sleep. Never for the full night, but for at least a few minutes every hour. That was all she ever needed.

Her foot dangles over the cliff. If the plan did not succeed… she would be left to rot at the bottom of these mountains. Strangled by the bones of warriors long dead, who may finally get their revenge on the daughter of the demon. If she did die here, it was without regret. Her son was safe, and that was all that mattered. She had no fear or doubts though. She knew this was a full proof plan.

“W li habbek bebusek, w li bghdek shu betraqa.” She finishes the last of the lullaby and falls to the depths below, with only her son in mind. “‘Ala raasii, my son. We will be together.” The force of the wind scratches her skin, tugging at her hair and forcing her eyes closed. She accepts it openly, arms outstretched as if desperate for its embrace. It is not the first time she has fallen, it will unlikely be the last.

CW // Graphic injury

Her body hits the ground with a sickening crack and the world goes dark instantly. Just as suddenly as she was gone, she is brought back, and when her eyes open she is met with pools of bright green swirling around her. She feels the excruciating pain of her bones rearranging, snapping into place and sealing together. Of her skin, once bloody and broken, rapidly reconnecting. And as she twists and contorts, her mind shatters and rebuilds. Her goal still ever present in the back of her head as her body lifted from the pools.

CW over —

Ra’s holds her in his arms, gently releasing when she starts to move, and she sees the look on his face. Anger, resentment… relief. There is not a servant in sight, nor an assassin to be detected. Aside from the ones she’d entrusted to guard the pool.

“What on Earth were you thinking?” He practically growls, watching her flex her fingers.

She doesn’t hesitate with her answer. Every move and sound he makes is one she’s long predicted, and every move she makes is one that has been carefully planned through. “Forgive me, father. I’d simply thought it best to be rid of the last remainder of essence before our departure.” She is monotone when she speaks, and Ra’s strokes his beard thoughtfully before humming. It is a plan he approves of, of course… why wouldn’t it be.

“And you did not think to inform me?”

“I was simply training my body and mind the way you taught me to.” She reminds him, furrowing her brow. As stated before, it was not the first time she had fallen. The pain was something so normal to her, but she remembers how unpleasant her first time was. How loud she screamed. “Have you forgotten our regiments, father?”

Ra’s shakes his head, hands clasped behind his back as he paces the room. It is silent for a moment, and as his back is turned she retrieves the sword she’d stowed away within the cave, brandishing it at him. He turns to her, a sick but bemused grin on his thin lips.

“What is this, you wish to spar now, my dear Talia?” He reaches for the blade on his waist. “Very well then.” He lunges at her quickly, and their swords clash. With every swift strike he makes, she strikes back even faster, twisting around him and knocking him onto his back. He huffs, preparing to flip up, but is met with a sword to his chin.

“This is no sparring match, father. This is battle.” She raises her sword to strike but is kicked back by Ra’s, who quickly stands and meets her blade once again. Talia slices into his skin and he slices hers in turn, swiping quickly and targeting her weak points. They break away for a moment, circling the ground like sharks.

“You wish to best me, daughter? You could not even best The Batman!” He spits, lunging at her ferociously.

She meets his blade, clanging together against it with each strike. “That is because I love Bruce. Not because you tell me too, but because I want to!” She growls, true to her dragoness name, and strikes his arm. “I am my own person! I am a human being! You cannot- you WILL not… take that from me, ever again.” With this bold statement, Ra’s laughs.

He catches her off guard and knocks her onto her stomach, pressing his foot onto her back. “You are nothing but a pawn Talia. No different from your sisters or brothers, nor your mother or your son.” For a moment there is a sense of fear within Talia. A moment of unpreparedness. He steps on her even harder, and she winces at the pain, struggling to reach for her side.

“No…” She huffs, struggling to move. “I will be free… I will be free!” She screams, surging with adrenaline, and forces him off of her. She flips over to where her sword sits at the edge of the lazarus pit, hastily grabbing it and brandishing it at her father.

“I am Talia Al Ghul, daughter of the demon, the most dangerous woman alive. I will conquer you just as I have conquered countless enemies.” Her sword hits his with enough force that it is knocked from his hand, and he seems genuinely surprised. “I will kill you just as you have killed my sister!” She screams, slicing into him with her sword, again and again with each scream.

“Just as you have driven away my brother, I will drive you into the ground!” SLICE. “Just as you have beaten my beloved, I will beat you! And I will rise over you with the strength you could never obtain, with the drive you senselessly pursued, and I will do it all without YOU!” Her sword plunges into his stomach and through him, his body slumping against hers. She whispers in his ear.

“I will push you into the pit of which has driven you beyond recognition, that has infected your mind to the point of insanity. Just as it is dried of its essence, so too will you, and you will never rise to see the light of another day. I am the demons head now. You…” She pushes him off of her blade and into the murky green pool below. “Will be nothing.” Talia huffs, watching his body sink until it is at the very bottom, and turning toward the exit.

“My lady!” Her trusted companion calls out, bowing hastily, while the others rush to tend to her wounds. Talia only pushes them off. “Is it done?” She asks, and Talia only nods, walking off quietly. Everyone else follows after her.

Except for one.

End!! Lmk if I’m doing a good job writing Talia! For anyone curious the song she sings is a lullaby called Nami Nami! I found the translation on a website, so I hope it’s accurate

Sleep, sleep my little one

Slumber peacefully on the rug

Sleep in the darkness

Until the cloud passes

After it will come a great light

And we will all see it

Sleep, sleep my little child Sleep, sleep my little one

Sleep, sleep, sleep Slumber peacefully on the rug

Sleep, sleep my little one Sleep, sleep my little one

Sleep, sleep, sleep Slumber peacefully on the rug

Daddy has gone to work

Father has gone

He will be back when the moon rises

And bring you a gift

Daddy will return tomorrow

With the lemons he has gathered

He will bring you a skirt and scarf

To keep you warm

You are my sweetest little one

With beautiful dark hair

Whoever loves you will embrace you

And whoever not

Woe unto them!

Sleep, sleep… Sleep, sleep…

i just think she's neat

please like/reblog if you save

i loveeee talia's old outfits.... hoping to see her in pink this year......

Here are some concepts of part of the bat family, there are some missing still but I’m working on them

I’ve been thinking about writing a Catwoman x Talia fanfic for a minute, in which Talia needs something precious to her people retrieved from an underground tomb and hires Catwoman to help her. Selina would be suspicious at first, but Talia is extremely wealthy, and the idea of lost treasures does peak her interest. So the two embark on a journey through a jungle and into a dangerous booby trap filled Indiana Jones type place and become closer as the time passes. Catwoman tries to fluster Talia every once in a while and Talia usually just brushes it off because she’s focused on the mission. But once they’ve retrieved the items, Talia flirts back and flusters Catwoman!!! Shit like “I can see why Bruce would like you, you are as alluring as any gem in this place of wonders. A wonder all on your own.” Bc you know that bitch is a real romantic. And Catwoman would just be thinking like “Oh? Unexpected but also… not unwelcome?”

Talia can hire Catwoman to retrieve artifacts anytime she wants after that ykwim ☝️

comics i made when pathy SFTO was released

I think they’d be a little bit of both! I like to imagine Talia had a public reputation similar to Bruce Wayne and not very many people recognize her or the Al Ghul name. So in public they’re cushy celebrities but in private they are very sweet and very in love ☺️

Yes, I'm nitpicking Talia's characterisation. There are things that I consider in my head canon and things that are canon that I don't consider canon, especially if those certain things are retconned and racially motivated, but that's just me.