The Goddamn Batman

Many men have worn the cowl of The Batman, many men have voiced him. But the name value is only part of the big picture, framed with the pearls of the innocent. Today I proudly present the next entree into The Panel Biter's DC Cinematic Universe, "The Caped Crusader".

Batman has patrolled Gotham City for five years, fighting organized crime and insane super-criminals alike, teaming-up with both the Gotham City Police Department and his own duo of sidekicks. The public fears him, the media strive off him. The events of this film start not too long after Batman's first sidekick-Dick Grayson-has left his side, and only days after the criminal known as The Joker crippled Commissioner Gordon's daughter-and former Batgirl-Barbara Gordon. Now with only his butler Alfred Pennyworth providing support, Batman follows a lead on crime boss Rupert Thorne who's new goon Basil Karlo has turned a simple robbery into a mass shooting. While Thorne believes Karlo is disposed, the goon is actually kidnapped and given a metamorphic-skin formula by a mysterious man in medical wraps. During his investigation, Batman is caught off guard by Thorne's men and suffers a skull fracture only his childhood friend Thomas Elliot can repair. When Karlo returns he is fully infused with the formula and has mutated into the shapeshifting mass of flesh, Clayface. The mysterious man in wraps has strings on Clayface and Gotham's wealthiest are targets to a deeper plan.

Like "Superman" the origin of Bruce Wayne/Batman would have minor presentation through opening credits as everybody already knows Batman's backstory. Involved characters include Alfred Pennyworth, Commissioner Jim Gordon, Officer Harvey Bullock, and Barbara Gordon. Barbara would first be visited in a hospital bed by Bruce/Batman, who is racked with guilt over his failure to stop The Joker, she would then serve as a bargaining chip for Clayface's mysterious savior. Speaking of Clayface, Basil Karlo would be a former actor turned criminal and would use the name "Clayface" in respect for the movie role that launched his career, I also selected him as the main villain because he is very "anti-realistic" which a comic book movie needs. Also, Ron Perlman would play him. Bruce Wayne would spend very little time running Wayne Industries, leaving Lucius Fox to keep him updated. Batman himself would do proper investigation work in his search for Karlo. As for Batman's costume, it would resemble his 1980's comic costume just a bit darker with his bat-symbol having only a yellow trimming. And no underpants on the outside, got to stay consistent. After the mysterious villain is defeated and the film is ending, Batman's inner monologue would be ended by him sighting a "cat burglar" running on rooftops. After the end credits, Batman would have his first encounter with Jason Todd, an apparent street punk.

This film would focus much on how Batman operates, rather than what drives him to operate. For too long we've seen Batman just use gadgets and pull crazy stunts, or delve into his own shattered psychology, this time it'd be different. This movie would play more as a mystery/thriller involving twists and turns only true Batman fans could predict, it would also establish both this comic-acqurate Batman and the events of his career. Obviously it would need to be dark and suspending to provide contrast to "Superman" which would be more positive and fun. If Superman and Batman are going to exist in one universe they should fight crime differently, but still find a way to meet the same results.

I hope you enjoyed my desired interpretation for Batman and the beginning of his movie series, now with The Man of Shinier Steel and The Lightly-Darkened Knight out of the way, you can look forward  to a certain Amazonian princess in red boots. "Wonder Woman" is on it's way.

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