The story begins in the opening days of April in the year 1996. Despite only being Ten years of age Bruce Wayne had already proved himself to be quite the handful. While he wasn’t a mean or malicious child, Bruce had a rebellious streak and a willingness to fight for what he felt was right. While this may have been noble it also meant many trips to the principal's office with his parents or oftentimes butler called into the school for meetings. Yet after a spate of truancy it appeared that perhaps Bruce had turned things around. Now this isn’t a story of an immediate correction. Instead it is a tale of a child understanding that with good behavior there would be reward. This reward was a trip to the Monarch Theatre located in the park row district of Gotham.
The reason for this trip would be because in just over two months time was the screening of one of Bruce’s childhood favorite films The Mark of Zorro. Despite their busy schedules with Thomas Wayne (Adrian Pasdar) being a reputable surgeon and his wife Martha (Elizabeth Mitchell) having her hands full with her philanthropy work and fundraising. The pair were insistent on taking Bruce to a screening together as a family. The date of this movie was June 26th and true to their word they took Bruce to a late night screening. At roughly 10:20 pm that evening they would leave the screening and begin the short walk back to their car on what was a particularly warm evening. Yet as they traversed through the side alley events would start in motion that would alter Bruce Wayne’s life forever.
This would be down to the actions of one man; a desperate man by the name of Joe Chill (Charles Baker). A vagrant and petty criminal, Chill didn’t know who he cornered that night; he just knew that he had a gun and he wanted what they had. With a gun pointed at them Thomas Wayne looked to remain calm as he cautiously handed over his valuables to Chill. Where he drew the line however was when Chill advanced towards Martha looking to snatch her necklace. During the ensuing scuffle Chill fired off several shots killing both Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne. As a traumatized Bruce Wayne crouched down beside his parents bodies, it seemed that Joe Chill decided not to leave any witnesses but before he could pull the trigger the calls of an officer and the sounds of sirens spooked him and caused him to flee in the shadows.
While it may not have taken long for the police to capture Joe Chill sadly the damage was done to Bruce Wayne. Despite the best efforts of Alfred Pennyworth (Charles Dance), who had become Bruce’s guardian following this. Sadly the damage was done as we’d see from the years that followed Bruce was disturbed by the death of his parents. Consumed by rage and a want for revenge there was no amount of love or care which Alfred could provide him to stop him falling down this dark path. With failed relationship after failed relationship, numerous fights and behavioral issues. Bruce would be expelled from school which furthered his downfall. Showing this new version of the DCEU wouldn’t be afraid to truly cover some topical and controversial issues. Scars by self harming would also be shown on Bruce’s arms and legs from cutting which only furthered Alfred’s concern.
By 2005 things had only grown further out of control with Wayne spiraling. Now 18 and with a rap sheet of his own thanks to fights, drinking, drugs and driving offenses. It seemed that Bruce was truly crashing to the bottom. This would be until a last ditch effort by Alfred seemed to reach Bruce. As he’d make Bruce listen to his father’s written will. The will stated “Bruce, I ask that you honor the Wayne Family legacy, and commit yourself to the improvement of Gotham City, its institutions, and its citizens. Please, be strong. You are young, but destined for great things. Make the most of your opportunities. Use them to give back to a city that has given us so much; to change the lives of millions of people. Do not be frivolous with this wealth. Please, do not waste it all on fast cars, and outrageous clothes, and the pursuit of a destructive lifestyle.”
“Invest in Gotham, treat its people like family. Watch over them and use this money to safeguard them from forces beyond their control. My deepest regret, as I will not see you grow into the good man I know you will become. And finally my son, I ask that you never abandon this city to fate. We have lived through dark days, and no doubt there are more to come. But it is the good and great men who stand up for Gotham when others turn and run.” These words seemed to strike a cord in Bruce as they perhaps granted him a bit of clarity and provided him with a purpose. Seeking to honor what his father had asked and no longer blemish the Wayne name, Bruce would leave Gotham but swear one day he’d return when he was ready to be the man his father knew him to be.
It would begin in Paris where Bruce studied fencing under the best swordsman in Paris. Yet after a short period of time Bruce was able to best his master. He would also in this time befriend a French cat burglar called the Grey Shadow (Melanie Laurent - cameo) who taught Bruce the art of stealth, escape artistry and slight of hand. At the same time Bruce soon found another teacher from an unexpected source. In an attempt to keep tabs on Bruce, Alfred had asked old friend Henri Ducard (Ciaran Hinds - Cameo) to keep watch of Bruce. Ducard, a former detective turned manhunter would soon recognize potential in Bruce and he would help Bruce learn a variety of skills. This included detective work and crime scene investigation. Ducard also would provide Bruce with a series of books and information in regards to forensics and science which had always piqued an interest in Bruce from a young age.
Along the way thanks to advice from Ducard, Bruce would seek out and learn from a variety of combat instructors. Names mentioned in a later conversation with Alfred would notably include Ted “wildcat” Grant. Yet soon Bruce vanished from Ducard’s life as well, continuing his travels and journey. Bruce eventually became a student of Master Kirigi (Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa - Cameo). A monk who taught Bruce not just the physical lessons of Ninjutsu but also strengthened him mentally building his patience, bringing him peace and how to clear his mind. All the while honing Bruce to physical perfection by harsh training.
Following 14 long years Bruce would finally feel ready to return to Gotham having completed his training. No longer a troubled 18 year old but instead a 32 year old man (Wes Bentley) with a purpose. While he never revealed the full details at first, Bruce would very much tell Alfred what he’d done and the training he’d had. With his plans to help save Gotham City, Bruce knew that he needed someone he could trust to help him and that Alfred was that person based on his own personal experiences. Revealed to be a former actor and intelligence agent Alfred’s past knowledge would be invaluable for Bruce. It was also through Alfred that Bruce would become formally acquainted with Lucius Fox (Ernie Hudson). The business manager of Wayne Enterprises which very much was Bruce’s birthright having been a company which his father funded previously. Fox who had previously worked with and been a friend of Thomas Wayne was more than happy to assist Bruce in this project of his as he would not only finance Bruce’s mission but also provide his technical knowledge to assist Bruce.
A childhood memory would help Bruce find a base of operations to further help his cause. An old memory which would be triggered with inspiration for what he’d become. It’d be seeing a bat flying the grounds of Wayne Manor which reminded Bruce of an incident when he was young. Remembering how he fell down an old well on the grounds of Wayne Manor and was swarmed by bats until he’d be rescued by his father. In a later conversation which Bruce remembered with his mother. This would reveal an old cave under Wayne Manor which overtime with the assistance of Alfred and Lucius would help morph this former cave system into Bruce’s base of operations. This would include a secret door that was put together from inside Wayne Manor’s library which could be accessed by turning the time on a grandfather clock to the time of Bruce’s parents death.
Believing the bat to be a symbol which inspired him further, Bruce developed a costume very similar to his 1995 Troika Bat Suit. The all dark gray one piece suit was built in with gloves and boots while the blue was restricted to the cape and mask. As Bruce prepped his costume Alfred would inform Bruce that if it was revenge he sought then that would be a mission he could not achieve. A year after Bruce had vanished, Joe Chill was found dead in the prison showers. Yet Bruce’s purpose and priorities had changed from his time as an angry young man. This wasn’t a mission of revenge, this was a mission to save Gotham City and protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. On seeing Bruce’s intentions Alfred would begin to inform Bruce of some of the goings on in Gotham already proving his use as a source.
Now while the city may have been in a state of disarray one thing would be without question. That of course being the news of Bruce Wayne’s return would be a big story. Which is why two news reporters albeit from different outlets were tasked with chasing this story. The first of which would be news reporter and journalist Jack Ryder (Aaron Stanton). The shameless TV personality was highly abrasive and he wouldn’t be afraid to stoop to low levels in order to get this story. The other option working for the Gotham Gazette was Vicky Vale (Sophia Bush). Unlike many in her position Vicky didn’t particularly want this story as she believed Bruce needed time and space. Yet at the urging of Alfred, Bruce would meet with Vicky, seeing a potential ally albeit one without knowledge of what he had planned.
Yet at the same time in order to further extend his knowledge Bruce would agree to meet with Ryder. Despite being off put and disgusted by the shameless behavior that Ryder often employed. Bruce found that Ryder over a few drinks was inclined to share stories of Gotham and it’s state. Vale meanwhile would be a bit more of a challenge for Bruce as it became apparent that a connection had formed between the pair. This would lead to some dates between the two but sadly due to Bruce’s devotion to his cause it wouldn’t lead to anything serious forming between the pair. However in these interactions Bruce would learn the truth about Gotham.
The city had slowly become at war as a line was drawn between the Maroni and Falcone families. While the two families had opposed one another in the past, there had been a time of peace thanks to negotiations between Carmine Falcone (Robert De Niro) and Salvatore Maroni (Al Pacino). Yet these peace talks and agreements would become fractured thanks to a series of murders throughout Gotham. While at first police thought it was just one assailant we’d come to find that there were two killers who while similar had different M.Os earning them the nicknames Holliday and the Hangman.
Both killers would make a point of striking in holiday periods with Father’s day recently being a key date of note when the Holiday killer who’d been targeting those familiar with the Maroni family took things to a new level by killing Sal Maroni’s father in his old people’s home. A hot head by nature, this magnified the rage of Maroni who felt this had to be an under the table assassin of Falcone. Yet it wasn’t just Maroni who lost people as a killer by the moniker of the Hangman was targeting those loyal to Falcone. This would include the death of Falcone’s own personal chief of security Milos Grapa (Thomas Arana). Adding to the brewing tensions was the machinations of one Oswald Cobblepott (Nick Frost). The Iceberg Lounge owner who very much had his own ties to the criminal underground, Oswald was very much playing both sides of the fence in this war.
He wouldn’t be the only one however as the corrupt police force with Howard Branden (Josh Helman) and Gillian Loeb (Toby Jones). The captain of the swat team, Branden would very much lead his team as an executioner squad for the highest bidder. Having studied and observed the GCPD from a far as he set the wheels of his plan in motion. Bruce recognized that not everyone in the force was bad or on the take. One person in particular who he saw swimming against the tide was cop turned detective James Gordon (Bryan Cranston). One of the rare bright lights of the GCPD whose straight arrow approach hadn’t gone unnoticed by his superiors. Gordon had recently found himself partnered with corrupt detective Arnold Flass (Christopher Meloni). Glass very much appeared to be Loeb’s latest attempt to corrupt Gordon.
Flass very much was a thug as well as a detective who at times worked part time as a bouncer for Penguin’s Iceberg Lounge. He was also sharp enough to realize there was no corrupting James Gordon. Which is why Flass under the approval of Loeb would get together a group of cronies in order to take Jim off of the board all together. Set to play out like a street bust gone wrong, Flass himself would don a mask as he prepared to handle this personally. What he didn’t count on was Gordon had recently begun mentoring Sarah Essen (Jennifer Carpenter). An ambitious cop looking to rise the ranks, Essen would prove to be a rare bright light in the GCPD. Unfortunately with her present for this beating, she’d be what Loeb classed as collateral damage. While Sarah was knocked unconscious and James Gordon was knocked down, we’d finally see Bruce Wayne in full Batman costume in action.
Easily disarming Flass and his cronies thanks to the element of surprise. Batman would use several different fighting techniques to defeat and neutralize Flass’ men. This distraction allowed Gordon to remove Flass’ mask and knock him out before he’d be confronted by Batman. Despite Gordon’s doubts and hesitations Batman would sway him with his purpose to clean up Gotham City. Having handcuffed Flass with his own gear and moved Sarah Essen to safety, Gordon would agree to meet Batman later where they could talk properly. This meeting would prove valuable to Batman as he had a source from the inside who was able to tell him how bad the rot had truly set in. Mentioning the District Attorney Marion Grange (Elizabeth Mitchell) as one of the bright lights of Gotham. Gordon admitted that having one or two political allies might be useful. Yet he knew that Grange wouldn’t go for working with a vigilante. But one of her colleagues just might and he’d be able to give Batman some more detailed information.
This would set up Bruce’s first ever meeting as Batman with Harvey Dent (Jon Hamm). While dubious of meeting with a gimmick in a costume. Dent was a realist who knew that the city in his words was fucked. So if he had to take a punt on someone who wears a mask then so be it. However the issue in his words was that corruption went to the very top in Mayor Wilson Klass (Dermot Mulroney). Dent would also provide Batman with rumors that a lot of business was conducted at the Iceberg lounge. Dent also maintained that he and Grange would be willing to put all these people on trial once Klass was removed from power. On this advice Bruce would take a day or two to draw up a plan before he under the urging of Alfred would elect to go to the Iceberg Lounge as Bruce Wayne and not as the Batman.
Arriving at the Iceberg Lounge as Bruce Wayne of course would be the path of least resistance. On his arrival to the Iceberg Lounge, Bruce would already see Arnold Flass back working as security while Howard Branden and several of his cronies enjoyed a drink. Very quickly Bruce would share his first ever encounter with Selina Kyle (Eiza Gonzales). Working at the club as a hostess, Selina and Bruce would have a brief conversation in which you could see the chemistry a mile away. Yet quickly Selina would leave as she said she had to get back to work. Later on Bruce would reveal in a talk with Alfred in this conversation Selina had robbed him of his wallet. Selina wouldn’t be the only encounter Bruce had this night. The other would be Carmine Falcone.
Much to Bruce’s surprise Carmine greeted Bruce like a friend of the family. Warning him to be wary of Selina Kyle, Bruce was caught off guard by Carmine’s friendly nature as he even offers Bruce a chance to join his table with his family. It would be then that Carmine revealed that he knew Bruce’s father and even considered him a close personal friend who once saved his life by operating on him. That’s why when the moment was right, Carmine personally ensured that Joe Chill never saw the light of Day again. This revelation would shake Bruce to the core as he returned home to Wayne Manor. While he may not have got the information he needed from the Iceberg Lounge, Bruce said he had found a potential true source of information and he sought out Selina Kule.
As he studied and watched Selina Kyle, Bruce would recognize that she was more than just a petty thief doubling as a hostess. But that she was also a dominatrix and skilled cat burglar who would rob many of her patrons. The reason for this was to protect Holly Robinson (Cailey Fleming). A young girl who’d been raised by the streets, Holly had sadly come under the watch of Stan the Pimp (Kirk Acevedo). Shown to be a man low on the totem pole of the crime world, Stan very much enjoyed the control he had over his girls. This was down to his general low level status in Gotham as many perceived him as a creep and low life. However in the eyes of one of Falcone’s chief enforcers Johnny Viti (Cameron Britton). Stan was just the man who could cater to his proclivities. Which again showed that this DC wasn’t afraid to touch on darker subject matter.
Selina for her part was doing all she could to set up Holly for a life away from Gotham. This is why she’d begin her acts of thievery. Batman offers to help Selina in exchange for information. While Selina would agree to this she wouldn’t promise not to be involved in any further criminal acts. What Kyle did do was provide Batman with a couple of names who worked under Penguin. One of course was Stan the Pimp while the other was a petty crook and drug dealer called Jefferson Skeevers (50 Cent). Again a low rent criminal who at times would work with Stan providing him drugs to keep his girls in line.
Yet when Batman went out in search of Skeevers he’d come to find he wasn’t the only one with Skeevers becoming the latest victim of the Hangman. Using Skeevers’ phone, Batman would find Stan’s location and go to hunt him while James Gordon returned to the GCPD. Knowing he’d humiliated Flass so that retaliation at least now wasn’t on the cards. Jim went right to Loeb as he looked to get ahead of the serial killers. In order to do so he needed to consult an expert and that’s why he’s not asking for permission but telling Loeb he’ll be paying a visit to Arkham Asylum. Making Sarah Essen his new partner, Jim Gordon would then head to Arkham Asylum in order to meet with a former prolific serial killer who had a penchant for striking on the Holidays known as the Calendar Man. Real name Julian Day (Conleith Hill), Calendar Man in this show wasn’t treated as a gimmick or a comedic villain.
Instead his scene and interaction with Gordon was reminiscent of Hannibal Lector in the Silence of the Lambs. These two as we’d soon learn had history with Calendar Man being the case that got James Gordon promoted to a detective. Treating Gordon with a begrudging amount of respect before remarking on Gordon’s pupil. Calendar Man on occasion would tease Gordon with nuggets about having fans. Telling Gordon outright that while the killings may involve the mob, these aren’t mobsters in a war but killers satiating their urges just like he did. Calendar Man tells Gordon that they are just starting small but soon enough will be building up especially when Christmas comes around!
This warning would sadly be proven to be true in the next scene as Batman learned that Stan had become a victim of the Hangman. One thing that stood out in this movie was the changing of the season from Halloween to Christmas time as our killers continued to prepare. With these low level criminals being struck off his register Oswald Cobblepott would begin to lock down the Iceberg Lounge as his base of operations opting to keep Branden and his men around full time as security. The war meanwhile would further grow out of control as Salvatore Maroni in retaliation for the death of his ally Joe Bandano (Max Casella) would order a shoot out on Falcone’s daughter Sofia (Gina Carano). In the process of this carnage we’d see Sofia’s own bodyguard Angelo Mirti (Rick Pasqualone) gunned down.
Soon the crime world and GCPD would both be rocked by the targets of the next killings. As Mayor Klass and Gillian Loeb would both become victims of the Holiday Killer in what was a double murder. With Gotham rocked by these deaths we’d see Marion Grange personally sworn in to act as mayor of Gotham with Harvey Dent being named as the District Attorney. In retaliation to this Howard Branden and his men would go on the rampage as trace evidence at the scene revealed that the Holiday killer was none other than Alberto Falcone (Alexander Koch). The youngest of the Falcone siblings, Alberto was often kept hidden from his father who was aware of Alberto’s tendencies.
What followed would be all out chaos as the GCPD would launch a siege on the Falcone home at the same time as a shoot out between the Maroni and Falcone families was taking place. While this was going on Batman was contacted by Selina Kyle to tell him that Holly had been taken by Falcone’s enforcer Johnny Viti. Viti of course had lost his supplier and was now having to procure his own children. Rushing to aide Selina in rescuing Holly, Batman found himself in one on one combat with Viti while he ordered Selina to get Holly to safety. While a trained combatant Batman had a little trouble with Viti just based on his size and force. Yet soon he’d manage to take control of the fight after breaking Viti’s arm and dislocating his knee. Before Batman could ask Viti questions however Viti would be shot dead by Selina Kyle.
Having found Viti’s stash of trophies from his previous victims, Selina reasoned that a man like Viti didn’t get to walk away or live. This went into direct contrast with what Batman believed or stood for as he couldn't abide murder. This would fracture any possible team up between Selina and Batman as he said that what she did was inexcusable. However Batman then elected to tell Selina not to step foot in Gotham and live up to her word to keep Holly safe. With that Selina Kyle would flee on a motorbike with Holly as the pair would escape Gotham. Back to the shootout between the factions we’d see Salvatore Maroni take more losses following the deaths of Luca Marelli (Noah Baumbach) as well as his loyal right hand Frankie Carbone (Jonathan Schaech).
In his rage Maroni would engage with the GCPD only to be clipped with a shoulder wound by James Gordon. Before Arnold Flass or anyone else could do any follow up shots Gordon announced that Maroni was under arrest and he would have Sarah Essen and himself personally take the mobster to the GCPD. On the Falcone front as we’d see Alberto Falcone had been badly wounded in a shoot out by the GCPD and he was comforted by his sister. In this moment however Sofia would reveal that she always knew what he was. Yet he never knew what she was and personally killed her own brother as she revealed herself to be the Hangman. Unwilling to go quietly Sofia would begin firing at the GCPD team led by Branden which was clearly out for blood with Branden personally gunning her down.
His empire crumbling before his eyes, Carmine Falcone would look to flee with his last surviving son Mario (Jaime Bell). Knowing that things had changed with Maroni’s arrest and his children being outed as killers. Falcone saw Mario as his last bright light and the one good son. This is why Falcone would send his son away out of Gotham. Admitting that he wasn’t a particularly good father and Mario always told him to try and go straight. Carmine says that while a captain always must go down with his ship he will not lose another son. Being aided by the Penguin in this, Falcone would send his son away before returning to the Iceberg Lounge.
While there Carmine Falcone slowly began to drink with the Penguin as he admitted he was well aware of Oswald’s play. Knowing this day would come for a long time with Oswald having the GCPD as his own personal attack dogs, Carmine personally thanked Oswald for allowing Mario to leave first. With that Penguin wasted no time in personally shooting Carmine Falcone dead as he assumed the role of king of Gotham’s underworld. With Falcone dead and Maroni in prison, we’d see a montage of news in the days which followed as Vicky Vale and Jack Ryder managed to expose a lot of corruption throughout the GCPD and also city hall. This would lead to Marion Grange being officially named as the mayor of Gotham and in her first act she’d name James Gordon as police commissioner.
In his first acts as commissioner Gordon would personally slap a pair of handcuffs on Arnold Flass for his corrupt ways and toss him in a cell. He would then order a special light to be put at the top of the GCPD building should he ever need to meet with the Batman. While Flass may have been trapped, Branden would remain as part of the GCPD with evidence proving hard to find at least for now. Yet Gordon made it clear in a meeting with the Batman that he would handle Branden once they’d cleaned up Gotham city and it would all begin with Maroni’s trial. This would all build to the final scene of the film which was the trial of Salvatore Maroni with Maroni being prosecuted by Harvey Dent.
As we’d learn Arnold Flass in what was true to his cowardly, bully nature had cut a deal with Dent in exchange for testifying against many of Maroni’s criminal acts. Maroni would remain eerily calm throughout the trial which was concerning considering his hothead nature. In what was a crucial part of the story Maroni on being called to the stand was just about to be questioned by Dent when in a shocking conclusion to the film, He’d produce a small vial of acid which he tossed in the DA’s face before everyone’s very eyes. This whole story as we'd see would be an archive being read by an older Bruce Wayne (Wes Bentley) to a yet to be seen figure off screen having told the tale of his first year as the Caped Crusader. |
