Harry Dresden in the DCCU (spoilers for Batman v Superman, Suicide Squad).

[The Romulan Republic]

How would Chicago's favourite wizard P.I. fair in the DCCU?

Assume that the timelines synch up so that we are between Cold Days and Skin Game when the battle in Metropolis between Superman and Zod goes down. That seems about right. Assume also that in this scenario, Dresden's name appears in Lex's and Waller's files on metahumans.

Enchantress and her brother would likely be something out of the NeverNever in Dresdenverse terms (probably wild or Winter fae or demons).

How would Dresden, and the other entities of his world, respond to the arrival of Kryptonians and subsequent events?

How would Dresden's presence affect the events of Suicide Squad if Waller attempted to recruit him?

[Crazedwraith]

Well Dresden Magic disrupts hi-tech very badly. So the whole 'control through explosive nanites' thing is not working on him at all. As in if the Suicide Squad have them and get near him, they either deactivate and the squad are free or they immediately detonate and no more squad.

[The Romulan Republic]

Yeah, she'd need another form of leverage over him. Most likely a loved one held hostage (which ends very, very badly for Waller unless Dresden bites it), or, given the time frame, cut a deal with Mab (which also likely ends very, very badly for Waller, albeit in a longer-term and less explosive manner).

[Simon_Jester]

If we're basically asking "what if the DCCU's events happened in the Dresdenverse," that's a somewhat different question than "Harry Dresden wakes up one morning and he's in the world of the DCCU."

While there is some semblance of a 'masquerade' in the Dresdenverse, the supernatural is known. Dresden advertises his services as a wizard in the phone book. Police departments have officers whose job is to investigate paranormal crimes. Most people don't seem believe in magic, and wizards in the Dresdenverse have taken some pains to ensure that this will be the case. But there is a significant fraction of the overall population that is magically 'clued in,' at least to some extent.

Some people will incorrectly associate the Kryptonians with supernatural phenomena. Others will try to use the one against the other. People are going to try finding a way to use magic against Kryptonians. Luthor may be one of them.

I strongly suspect that the wizards affiliated with the White Council will be very restrained in doing that for ethical reasons- I'm not sure if the First, Third, or Fourth laws of magic apply to Kryptonians, and the Council may not be sure either. However, other forces may not be so restrained, and there are plenty of rogues and supernatural beings that could become very, very scary if they manage to bewitch Superman.

Now, if Harry Dresden personally just wakes up and randomly it's a different version of Chicago, and the events of the DCCU start to unfold... well, for one, he's something of a comic book fan as I recall, so he's in for a considerable surprise or three. For another, he's operating under a lot fewer external constraints about what he can and cannot do, and that's going to have some odd influences on his actions.

[The Romulan Republic]

If we're basically asking "what if the DCCU's events happened in the Dresdenverse," that's a somewhat different question than "Harry Dresden wakes up one morning and he's in the world of the DCCU."

Yes.

I was going more for the former (merge the two settings), but the latter is interesting as well.

While there is some semblance of a 'masquerade' in the Dresdenverse, the supernatural is known. Dresden advertises his services as a wizard in the phone book. Police departments have officers whose job is to investigate paranormal crimes. Most people don't seem believe in magic, and wizards in the Dresdenverse have taken some pains to ensure that this will be the case. But there is a significant fraction of the overall population that is magically 'clued in,' at least to some extent.

True.

Although SI under Murphy seems to be the exception in how effective it is at addressing the supernatural- Dresden mentions most SI heads don't last long.

Some people will incorrectly associate the Kryptonians with supernatural phenomena. Others will try to use the one against the other. People are going to try finding a way to use magic against Kryptonians. Luthor may be one of them.

Hmm. If he can get some of Superman's hair (or more dangerously, blood), he could potentially work thaumaturgy against him.

His true name might be another way to overpower him.

I doubt evocation would do jack, unless this version of Superman has the vulnerability to magic, or something on the level of a god attacks him.

I strongly suspect that the wizards affiliated with the White Council will be very restrained in doing that for ethical reasons- I'm not sure if the First, Third, or Fourth laws of magic apply to Kryptonians, and the Council may not be sure either. However, other forces may not be so restrained, and there are plenty of rogues and supernatural beings that could become very, very scary if they manage to bewitch Superman.

The Laws of Magic seem to apply only to humans in some cases- White Court vampires, for example, are close enough to human to have a soul, yet are still fair game for killing with magic. However, those are supernatural monsters, not sapient beings from another planet. This is an outside context problem for the Wizards.

Now, if Harry Dresden personally just wakes up and randomly it's a different version of Chicago, and the events of the DCCU start to unfold... well, for one, he's something of a comic book fan as I recall, so he's in for a considerable surprise or three. For another, he's operating under a lot fewer external constraints about what he can and cannot do, and that's going to have some odd influences on his actions.

Oh, he'd be like a kid in a candy store finding himself in a world where Batman and Superman are real, I expect, though his top priority would still be to figure out how to get back to his reality, at least until he got pulled into something that he didn't feel he could walk away from.

Though I dare say the thought of being in a world without Mab would appeal to him.

[Simon_Jester]

While there is some semblance of a 'masquerade' in the Dresdenverse, the supernatural is known. Dresden advertises his services as a wizard in the phone book. Police departments have officers whose job is to investigate paranormal crimes. Most people don't seem believe in magic, and wizards in the Dresdenverse have taken some pains to ensure that this will be the case. But there is a significant fraction of the overall population that is magically 'clued in,' at least to some extent.

True.

Although SI under Murphy seems to be the exception in how effective it is at addressing the supernatural- Dresden mentions most SI heads don't last long.

Yes, but the bare fact that Special Investigations departments and officers exist indicates that police are not actually unaware of the supernatural- very ignorant, yes, but not unaware. And if police departments know, it is likely that a certain number of politicians and so on are also aware. They may not know all of what is out there, they may harbor incorrect beliefs about fundamental things, they may not have extensive personal contacts... but on some level a lot of important people in the Dresdenverse Know that magic is a possibility.

[The Romulan Republic]

While there is some semblance of a 'masquerade' in the Dresdenverse, the supernatural is known. Dresden advertises his services as a wizard in the phone book. Police departments have officers whose job is to investigate paranormal crimes. Most people don't seem believe in magic, and wizards in the Dresdenverse have taken some pains to ensure that this will be the case. But there is a significant fraction of the overall population that is magically 'clued in,' at least to some extent.

True.

Although SI under Murphy seems to be the exception in how effective it is at addressing the supernatural- Dresden mentions most SI heads don't last long.

Yes, but the bare fact that Special Investigations departments and officers exist indicates that police are not actually unaware of the supernatural- very ignorant, yes, but not unaware. And if police departments know, it is likely that a certain number of politicians and so on are also aware. They may not know all of what is out there, they may harbor incorrect beliefs about fundamental things, they may not have extensive personal contacts... but on some level a lot of important people in the Dresdenverse Know that magic is a possibility.

Oh, some government folks do absolutely know (or are being used unwittingly by supernatural factions- in Changes, didn't Laura have enough clout to call in a navy ship to do her bidding?). But SI, I gathered, was basically just where the higher ups threw cases that didn't neatly fit into other categories, without much understanding. Until Murphy came along, and hired Dresden.

[Simon_Jester]

Not all know- but a lot know, or know on some level.

Real police departments do not, as a rule, have "Special Investigations," because they don't need them. While some crimes are harder to solve than others, it's not like there are two separate categories of crimes, one of which can be sold by normal police work and one of which can't. There's only one type, of nonuniform difficulty. Because in real life, you know that the reason unsolved cases are hard is that while there's a mundane explanation, it's hard to find. Cracking the case, if that's possible, will require skilled, patient police work... But nothing the police don't fully understand and know how to do.

And in that situation you don't just take an officer or two on your personal dislike-list and make them responsible for all the hardest cases. That's a good way to ensure that NO difficult cases get solved. And, potentially, that your supervisor starts giving you nasty looks for the way you're trying to sink the career of one of your subordinates by only giving them nearly impossible tasks.

...

But in the Dresdenverse, there are cases that you just plain can't solve unless you're a wizard. And on some level people KNOW this... because they have a specific cop or group of cops who seem to get all the cases you can't solve without being a wizard. Even if the bulk of the department doesn't actually know what's going on, they know something is going on. That there is in fact a big mysterious box full of stuff they don't understand, and that the "Special Circumstances" cases involve things inside the 'mystery box.'

So they push that off on one person... who hopefully figures out how to get in touch with a wizard and solve the case. Because what's needed isn't just an extension of normal police work. It's an entirely different set of contacts and resources, with which it's relatively easy to solve the cases, but without which nothing happens. At that point you really do need a specialist to handle the 'mystery box' unsolved cases, just as you need someone who knows a lot about IT to handle cybercrime.

As a side-effect, virtually all cases that are 'weird' cross the desk of certain specific people within a given organization. Which among other things means that almost immediately as superheroic people and supervillainous threats emerge, they will be brought to the attention of the "Special Circumstances" people: the ones who are normally tasked with dealing with things that involve that 'mystery box.' And that means that connections between the superheroic and the magical start getting made very quickly.

[Crazedwraith]

I think I get your reasoning. But I don't think this effect actually extends to the conscious level for any one except a very few people in SI. And in fact we don't even know if any where other than Chicago has an SI equivalent and they're much less likely to have real occult backing. Harry and later Elaine are basically the only 'out' Wizard who would assist.

Regardless, Superman's entrance was not subtle. So the magical word are going to notice metahumans pretty quickly.

[Elheru Aran]

Hell... considering Wonder Woman... it's possible that the magical world already knows about metahumans, at least the Earth-bound old-school ones like Aquaman and WW. There's no way they weren't aware of Atlantis, for example, and we've already had it well-nigh confirmed that Odin exists in the Dresden Files universe, so why not the Greek gods and by extension Themsycira?

[The Romulan Republic]

Hell... considering Wonder Woman... it's possible that the magical world already knows about metahumans, at least the Earth-bound old-school ones like Aquaman and WW. There's no way they weren't aware of Atlantis, for example, and we've already had it well-nigh confirmed that Odin exists in the Dresden Files universe, so why not the Greek gods and by extension Themsycira?

Greek Gods are confirmed too. Dresden actually has a conversation with Hades in the most recent novel, Skin Game. During the course of which, the entire Greek pantheon and afterlife is pretty much confirmed.

Hecate was established a while back, as well.

[Crazedwraith]

Hell... considering Wonder Woman... it's possible that the magical world already knows about metahumans, at least the Earth-bound old-school ones like Aquaman and WW. There's no way they weren't aware of Atlantis, for example, and we've already had it well-nigh confirmed that Odin exists in the Dresden Files universe, so why not the Greek gods and by extension Themsycira?

Latest Book spoilers.
Spoiler

The greek gods explicitly exists as people from the Never Never empowered by belief. Skin Game is about Hades' private vault in Tartarus and nicking stuff. Dresden actually has a chat with Hades.

eta: I know spoiler tags don't expand under a quote. Just quote my post if you want to read.

[The Romulan Republic]

That's why I used the micro text.

Edit: And seriously, if you're a Dresden fan and haven't read Skin Game, do. In my opinion, its probably one of the stronger entries in the series.

[Crazedwraith]

That's why I used the micro text.

Edit: And seriously, if you're a Dresden fan and haven't read Skin Game, do. In my opinion, its probably one of the stronger entries in the series.

You instaposted me. And quoting me to read is no more of a faff than microtext.

[Elheru Aran]

Right then, so if you've got that in the Dresden-verse, it's not a very great leap to go to having Aquaman and some of the other heroes like Captain Marvel and maybe even Swamp Thing since there's a lot of magic in their backgrounds. Captain Marvel in particular, well at least Black Adam and Shazam, have been around a while. Swamp Thing... hasn't Dresden had a plant elemental or two at some point? That sentient island thingy reminded me a lot of Swampie.

Though I'd be half afraid to see what might happen if Harry Dresden ran into John Constantine one night... but knowing the two of them, they'd probably just snark a bit at each other and go their own ways.

EDIT to not take up another post: That reminds me, I really need to see if my local library has more of his books. I kind of started in the middle of the series and never got around to inter-library-loaning on the rest...

I prefer micro-text that's not *super* small, that way I can squint a bit and still read it. Quoting is a bit more of a pain, especially when I'm on my phone and pages take a minute or two to load.

[Simon_Jester]

What, Dresden and Constantine?

My bet'd be on a pub crawl.

Hm. I wonder if Constantine's synchronicity-magic is powerful enough to counteract Dresden's electronics-frying aura when it'd be convenient for Constantine if the electronics didn't fail.

[Gaidin]

What, Dresden and Constantine?

My bet'd be on a pub crawl.

Hm. I wonder if Constantine's synchronicity-magic is powerful enough to counteract Dresden's electronics-frying aura when it'd be convenient for Constantine if the electronics didn't fail.

This. So much this.

Honestly people have sort of forgotten that for 95% of the series that Dresden is a reactionary character. Something has to happen and then he investigates it. It wasn't until Skin Game that he took a relatively non-reactionary role, and that's debatable given...things I won't reveal.

He'll go on a pub crawl with Constantine and find a dead body killed by supernatural means and get to work.

[The Romulan Republic]

What, Dresden and Constantine?

My bet'd be on a pub crawl.

Hm. I wonder if Constantine's synchronicity-magic is powerful enough to counteract Dresden's electronics-frying aura when it'd be convenient for Constantine if the electronics didn't fail.

This. So much this.

Honestly people have sort of forgotten that for 95% of the series that Dresden is a reactionary character. Something has to happen and then he investigates it. It wasn't until Skin Game that he took a relatively non-reactionary role, and that's debatable given...things I won't reveal.

He'll go on a pub crawl with Constantine and find a dead body killed by supernatural means and get to work.

Does Constantine exist in the DCCU?

Aside from that, this isn't far off. Granted, Dresden doesn't seem like a heavy drinker, but he'll probably at least invite Constantine to a drink at Mac's tavern.

If Waller tries to pull his strings, though, Dresden will get involved, and he won't just walk away even if he can, because of that whole compulsion to save people and stop monsters.

Edit: He might also get involved via Mab taking an interest in the whole Superman/metahuman mess.

[Gaidin]

Constantine had a single episode guest role in season 4 of Arrow. So...he exists in at least the DCCW. Not the DCCU. Note: Waller is technically in both, though she's died in DCCW. Whether we want to run with what debate given they're sticking Superman in both universes I'll leave to your discretion.

Waller pulling Dresden strings is something she might find backfiring given the books I've read. Even Mab's somewhat had to play that very carefully until he's willingly walked into that with both eyes open.

[The Romulan Republic]

The smart move for Waller would be to not try to strong arm him. She could do that-either by sending law enforcement after him or by threatening a loved one-but that would just cause Dresden to push back harder. And as was already discussed, she can't use the nano chip on him.

The most effective approach would be to do what Mab sometimes does- give him a mission that his own moral sensibilities and personality won't let him walk away from. If you tell Dresden that innocents are in danger (particularly women/children/orphans), and that only he can help them, his conscience will probably strong arm him more than any overt threat or force will. Katana might be a useful tool to manipulate him, given his white knight tendencies towards women (at least earlier in the series- I think he's somewhat grown out of those). That lady possessed by Enchantress certainly would. An innocent, attractive woman possessed by a dark magical entity threatening the world is basically perfect Harry Dresden bait.

Edit: Actually, the basic plot of Suicide Squad is a very Dresden-esque situation in general- the kind of thing I can totally see Harry being drawn into.

[Gaidin]

The smart move for Waller would be to not try to strong arm him. She could do that-either by sending law enforcement after him or by threatening a loved one-but that would just cause Dresden to push back harder. And as was already discussed, she can't use the nano chip on him.

The most effective approach would be to do what Mab sometimes does- give him a mission that his own moral sensibilities and personality won't let him walk away from. If you tell Dresden that innocents are in danger (particularly women/children/orphans), and that only he can help them, his conscience will probably strong arm him more than any overt threat or force will. Katana might be a useful tool to manipulate him, given his white knight tendencies towards women (at least earlier in the series- I think he's somewhat grown out of those). That lady possessed by Enchantress certainly would. An innocent, attractive woman possessed by a dark magical entity threatening the world is basically perfect Harry Dresden bait.

Edit: Actually, the basic plot of Suicide Squad is a very Dresden-esque situation in general- the kind of thing I can totally see Harry being drawn into.

Your second paragraph actually nails it. Sort of the "mastermind" of the Leverage tv show. If you've ever seen the pilot of it anyway. Except if she's willing to not con him. Just say, "hey, we need you for this because this supernatural bs is happening and not only is crazy stuff happening but you'd be watching over crazy people and keeping the people safe" and reel Dresden in. The question is if Waller is at all capable of that kind of honesty.

[The Romulan Republic]

Probably not. Even if she knew Dresden well enough to know how to push his buttons, and knew that she didn't have to lie or manipulate to get him to help, she'd want some insurance to make sure he does things her way and doesn't double-cross her.

And while Dresden has not completely lost his compulsive hero tendencies by a long shot, he's not completely stupid either. Skin Game Dresden has lots of hard-earned experience with master manipulators trying to play him, and he's pretty good at seeing through it. He will know that Waller isn't motivated purely by altruism. He will know that she's trying to play him, and even though he'll probably walk into it more or less willingly because he feels that something needs to be done (or because he doesn't want to leave Waller to her own devices), he won't do it blindly or without suspicion and caution. And Waller will know that. She will know that Dresden won't see eye to eye with her planting bombs in people and casual murder to cover her tracks.

So she'll try to have a trump card (ugg, will I ever be able to use that phrase without thinking of the Donald again?) to play when (not if) he goes off the rails.

[The Romulan Republic]

Another problem with bringing in Dresden is that he is not someone who is either loyal to her, or someone she can simply shove into a cell when its over. Hence, he is a risk of exposure.

She might conclude that its worth it, given his power, to involve him. But she'd definitely try to get some leverage on him.