Original subtitles

[ENGINES REVVING]

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[CROWD CHEERING]

WOMAN: Bruce. You're pushing the car too hard. It's not meant to take it.

I'll coax it.

That's it, I'm engaging computer override.

[BEEPING]

Don't think it's working.

You son of a bitch, are you trying to kill yourself?

Hmm.

[BEEPING]

[ALL GASPING]

BILL [OVER TV]: Spectacular finish to the Neumann elimination.

Looked like a flaming coffin for billionaire Bruce Wayne for sure.

Turns out Wayne bailed at the last second...

...suffering only minor burns.

Hideous slaying of a group of nuns last night...

...the latest in the brutal crime spree attributed to the Mutant gang.

Crime is at a record high, the city has gone to hell...

...and no one seems to be doing anything about it.

Death threats have once again been leveled by the Mutants...

...against soon-to-retire, 70-year-old commissioner James Gordon...

...who had this to say in response:

I've got one more month at this job, and I'd love to spend it nailing the Mutants.

If they want to take me on, I'm delighted.

Come and get me.

Nearly coinciding with Gordon's retirement...

...tonight also marks the 10th anniversary of the last sighting of the Batman.

Most of our younger viewers now think of him as a myth...

...many others still debate whether his one-man war on crime...

...was right or wrong...

...but this reporter hopes that wherever he is, he's enjoying a toast with good friends.

To 10 years and my finally joining you.

[PIANO MUSIC PLAYING]

That was some stunt you pulled at the racetrack.

Keeps the blood flowing.

So long as most of it stays inside you.

Worried about me?

Let's just say I'm glad you survived Batman's retirement...

...and I was hoping you'd keep it that way.

[OVER TV] Some officials have speculated that Gordon's departure...

...may help de-escalate violence...

...from the Mutants, as the mysterious Mutant Leader has repeatedly singled out...

...the commissioner as a target.

You're not worried about me, are you?

No more than I am the rest of the city.

People have given up, Jim.

They're hiding, turning a blind eye.

These are scary times. And the Mutants, they're not like the usual street crooks.

A mugger, he's after a wallet. It makes sense.

These kids, it's just random violence.

-There's no humanity in them at all. -Sounds like someone I used to deal with.

Thank God he's keeping quiet.

Remember how you had us all going back then?

You with that ginger ale of yours, pretending it was champagne.

Made up for lost time on that since.

-Makes it easier. -Makes what easier?

-Staying retired. -Things are different now, Bruce.

The government, the public, they wouldn't stand for you anymore.

-Talk to Dick lately? -You know I haven't.

Shame you didn't keep up with him.

Could've been a shoulder to lean on, after what happened with Jason.

Let's call it a night, Jim.

MAN: The day of judgment is coming, brother.

[TECHNO MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]

One

Two

One, two, three, four

Come on, baby Come alive

[GRUNTS]

MUTANT: Aces. He sees us.

Don't go all billy. Go around, behind him.

Slice and dice. Show him we nasty.

I don't know man, spud's awful big. And look at him.

-Come on. -Jeez, man, spud's into it.

-So what? Slice and dice. -Come on.

No.

Can't do it when they into it.

Blow this, let's go to the arcade.

[SIGHS]

[CHILD LAUGHING]

THOMAS: Wow, look at him go.

MARTHA: What are you gonna do when you catch him, Bruce?

[YOUNG BRUCE LAUGHING]

[YOUNG BRUCE SCREAMING]

[YOUNG BRUCE WHIMPERING]

[GRUNTS]

[THUD]

ALFRED: Master Bruce. You set off the alarm, sir.

This somnambulism is becoming a problem...

...especially for those of us with a penchant for sleeping at night.

Sir?

BRUCE: Just remembering a promise, Alfred.

ALFRED: Which was? BRUCE: Never again.

Sorry I woke you.

ALFRED: When did you shave?

MAN [OVER TV]: Still feeling this record heat wave in Gotham...

...temperatures reaching into the upper 90s, friends.

But rains should come in soon and cut all this heat.

[MUTTERING]

Hah!

ORDERLY: Think he cares about the weather?

I don't think this one's cared about anything for a long time.

Guess crazy has its moments.

Guy doesn't even sweat. Look at him.

You look at him. He makes me sick.

[DOOR OPENS]

WOLPER: Don't be nervous, Harvey.

Doctor Willing and I have done outstanding work on you, inside and out.

Doctor Wolper, I have to agree.

WOLPER: Psychologically, I'm confident you're ready to face the world and say:

"Hey, I'm okay."

And you look great too.

Harvey Dent, meet Harvey Dent.

Ah. Looks like the patient needs a little convincing.

Been a long time since both sides matched.

-It's some of my finest work ever, Harvey. HARVEY: Both sides match.

WOLPER: You look completely normal.

-I don't know what to say. -Say thank you.

I can't express enough gratitude to my plastic surgeon, Dr. Herbert Willing...

...and my psychiatrist, Dr. Bartholomew Wolper.

I don't expect the people of Gotham City...

...to forgive my crimes overnight...

...I only ask that they give me a second chance.

MAN 1: Harvey. How do you feel?

MAN 2: Why should we think this time is different?

MAN 3: Are you nervous about starting over? MAN 4: Is Two-Face gone for good?

[REPORTERS CLAMORING]

[CAMERAS CLICKING]

Those were Harvey Dent's last words before he disappeared.

The one-time district attorney, later known as Two-Face...

...immediately evaded supervision upon his release earlier today...

...from the Arkham Home.

Husband and wife found murdered in their sleep this morning.

Wayne, who sponsored Dent's rehabilitation, had this to say, days before Dent's release:

As a city, we have to give Harvey every chance to return to society.

We must believe we can all defeat our own private demons.

LOLA: After today's developments, Wayne was unavailable for comment.

TED: Murder rates on the city's subways have reached an all-time high.

Kidnapping and murdering young children...

...a line even the Mutants hadn't crossed until now.

Despite the family paying the ransom, the Mutants still took the boy's life.

This marks a chilling escalation...

...from a group many are already calling the worst criminals Gotham City...

...has seen since the Joker.

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS OVER TV]

NARRATOR: Tonight's presentation of Tyrone Power in The Mark of Zorro...

[CHUCKLES]

[GRUNTS]

[CHUCKLES]

[GRUNTS]

Take that. Yah!

Can only assume Two-Face will return to his criminal ways.

TED: Four killed in a senseless attack...

BILL: ... the assault and mutilation and terror that poor little boy must have felt.

Storm coming in, like the wrath of God about to hit Gotham.

[GRUNTS]

[THUNDER CRASHING]

BATMAN: You try to hold me back, but you're weak.

[PANTING]

You know it in your soul.

You're nothing but a hollow shell.

[GUNSHOT]

A rusty trap.

The time has come.

[BAT SCREECHES]

[RAIN PATTERING]

[THUNDER CRASHING]

[GRUNTS]

MAN: Come in here where it's warm, Mommy.

No. Please.

[WOMAN WHIMPERING]

I need you, Mommy. Talk soft and make me feel safe.

[MAN SCREAMS]

[THUNDER CRASHING]

SILK: Get your ass in the car. We're taking a ride.

JOANNIE: Please, Silk. Not the face.

[SOBBING]

You're paining me, Joannie. You're messing with my livelihood.

Hey, man, take it somewhere else. I just had the seats cleaned.

SILK: Shut your hairy face and drive.

-Dog-eat-dog world, I guess. JOANNIE: Aah!

SILK: Look, Joannie, you went and grew a new nostril.

[THUD]

What the hell was that?

SILK: Something's on the roof. Someone thinks they're gonna mess with me?

[SILK SCREAMING]

[JOANNIE SOBBING]

Oh, man, oh, man. Start already.

[GROANS]

CARRIE: Great. Figure I wanna get all soaked.

Come on, we'll cut through here.

I don't know.

I heard the Mutants hang here.

A little backbone, Michelle?

Better in here than out there.

At least the lights are bright.

MICHELLE: Carrie?

Don't go all billy. They'll come back on in a sec.

[MAN SINGS]

MUTANT: Chick, chick, chick.

Chicken legs, licking legs. Slice and dice.

MICHELLE: Oh, my God, Carrie. Aah!

-I got the little one. -Slice and dice them.

[THUNDER CRASHING]

[SCREAMS]

-What? What happened? -My arm. Something's stuck in my arm.

I got my 9. Anything moves, I'll...

[BLOWS LANDING THEN MUTANT GROANING]

Where'd you go?

[GRUNTS THEN SCREAMING]

[ELECTRICITY POPPING]

[THUNDER CRASHING]

[ELECTRICITY BUZZING]

DISPATCHER [OVER RADIO]: All units, robbery in progress, Gotham City Trust.

[SIREN WAILING]

You see that other car? Just went the other way.

Forget it. We're gonna lose this one as it is.

[THUNDER CRASHING]

Damn, that sucker can move.

-What the hell is that? -Can't exactly look right now, kid.

Up there. Freaking weird.

You gonna tell me or... Holy...

You're slowing down?

Yeah. We're in for a show, kid.

[ALL SCREAM]

[GROANS]

That was the Batman.

[SIREN APPROACHING]

I never thought he was real. Look.

These men are mine.

-You heard the man. -You crazy? I'm going in.

You don't wanna do that. Kid.

Batman would have to be old.

-Turk said he killed Batman. -Yeah, well, Turk says a lot of things.

-This floor don't feel safe. -Live dangerously. And shut up.

[GRUNTS]

[PANTING]

[GRUNTING]

There.

[FLOOR CREAKING]

This is freaky, he never made noise before.

[CREAKING CONTINUES]

[FOOTSTEPS]

[SCREAMS, THEN GUN CLICKING]

Watch it. You're gonna hit...

Mackie? Yeah, I think I did. But I still don't see... Uhn!

Everybody freeze.

[THUNDER CRASHING]

[BONE BREAKS]

[FEMUR GROANING THEN WHIMPERING]

You're under arrest, mister. You just crippled that man.

He's young, he'll walk again.

But you'll stay scared, won't you, punk?

[WHIMPERS]

-I mean it. Get away from him. -He's being patient with you as it is, kid.

Nice to have you back, Bats.

-Go to their car, kid. Get the loot. FEMUR: The pain.

I can't stand it.

-I don't believe this. -It's not in their car.

Was there a second car at the bank?

-Yeah, an old jalopy. Didn't think... -You weren't supposed to.

You know, I saw you once before.

Years ago, I was a rookie like schmuck-face there and...

BATMAN: Tell Gordon we have to talk.

Sure thing, Bats.

But how's he supposed to get in touch with you...?

Oh, yeah. Now I remember.

Reports stream in this morning of sightings of a bat-like creature...

...throughout the city last night. You don't suppose...?

A group of cat burglars, seriously injured...

A wild animal that snarled and growled.

-A werewolf for sure. -It was a flying monster...

-...with wings and fangs. -Reality check. It was definitely a man.

But he had to be, like, 12 feet tall.

Two abducted children were found alive in a riverside warehouse...

...along with six critically injured members of the Mutant gang.

The children describe the gang's attacker as "A man dressed as Dracula."

We will kill the old man Gordon.

We will chop him. We will grind him.

We will bathe in his blood.

I myself will kill the fool, Batman.

I will rip the meat from his bones and suck them dry.

Don't call us a gang.

Don't call us criminals.

We are the law.

Gotham City belongs to the Mutants.

[PHONE RINGING]

My client has yet to be charged with anything. And for good reason.

Where'd I put that stuff?

LAWYER: Your men found no stolen money, you've got no witnesses connecting him...

...to the robbery, and to say he suffered brutality is an understatement.

Batman shattered his femur.

Like it's got a mind of its own.

There it is.

I insist you drop this entire matter immediately. My client's the victim here.

Done. Merkel, draw up release papers for Victim here.

-Sir? -Whoa, whoa, whoa. Now wait a second.

My client also has to be ensured of protection.

You heard me, Merkel.

Gum?

[GRUNTS]

ALFRED: If it's suicide you're after, I have an old family recipe.

It's slow and painful. You'd like it.

[PHONE RINGING]

Wayne infirmary.

One moment, it's Commissioner Gordon. No doubt calling for details on the funeral.

Yes, commissioner.

You're releasing him right now? Interesting.

[GRUNTS]

I'm still the prime beneficiary in your will, aren't I?

[SIGHS]

Face? Anyone here?

[GASPS]

BATMAN: Two-Face has already moved on. He was smart enough to know I'd track him.

You weren't.

So now you're going to tell me what he's up to.

Stay away from me. I got rights. Ah!

BATMAN: Sure, you've got rights. Plenty of them.

You're also bleeding to death.

And right now, I'm the only one in the world who can get you to a hospital in time.

So how quickly you decide to talk is up to you.

Commissioner, something you have to see.

Follow me.

MERKEL: You set it back up?

Isn't there any other way to contact him?

GORDON: At least a dozen. -Then why?

So everyone knows. Hit it.

MAN: The guy's a fascist. No regard for civil rights.

WOMAN: I know, and people eat it up.

It's like all that marching we did never happened.

MAN: Don't say that. We made a difference. Give me another hit of that, will you?

You made sure the doors are locked, right?

GORDON: Two helicopters stolen last night.

One a state-of-the-art attack chopper, the other an old army surplus job.

-Got to be Two-Face. -His Lackey didn't know much.

Just that whatever Dent's planning, it goes down tomorrow night.

Sure. It's Tuesday and the second of the month.

And that Two-Face said it would be twice as big as anyone can imagine.

He's also re-wrapped his face in bandages.

-Not letting anyone see him. -Why?

What did he do to himself? You don't suppose he...?

Maybe. He's scratching both sides now.

As if he's become consumed by his dark side.

I wouldn't rule out that he's hurting himself.

It must have been impossible to resist the compulsion.

We still talking about Dent?

You know you can't just bring in Harvey and be done with it.

It's bigger than that now.

-You've already ruffled... -The Mutants.

They're next on my list. But first things first.

A target that needs two helicopters...

...that's twice as big as anyone can...

GORDON: The Gotham Life Building.

Merv, I'm absolutely convinced of Harvey's Dent's innocence.

But that's not to say he hasn't returned to crime.

I know that sounds confusing to the layman, so let me explain.

You see, it all comes down to this Batman fellow.

His psycho-erotic behavior is like a net...

...trapping weak-minded neurotics like Harvey...

...drawing them into corresponding, intersecting patterns.

You could say Batman creates his own enemies...

...committing the crimes using his so-catted villains as narcissistic proxies.

In other words, the real villain here is Batman.

[GRUNTING]

[ALL GASP]

MAN 1: Look out! MAN 2: Oh, my...

Report just coming in of an explosion at the Gotham Life Building.

[BEEPS]

People of Gotham. This is Harvey Dent.

Sorry to interrupt your television-viewing pleasure.

Right now, I'm sitting atop the beautiful Gotham Life Building...

...with two bombs big enough to make both towers rubble.

You have 22 minutes to save them. And my price is $22 million.

[BEEPS]

[MEN COUGHING]

[GRUNTING]

[MEN COUGHING & GRUNTING]

[BLOWS LANDING THEN MEN GROANING]

[GUNSHOTS]

[GRUNTS THEN SCREAMS]

[GRUNTS]

[GROWLS]

[WHIMPERING]

-What's happening? -Your favorite nightmare.

Should last about an hour.

[BEEPING]

[GRUNTS]

-How do I stop it? -Stop it? It shouldn't be going.

Two-Face lied to you.

He said we'd get the money and run. The bombs are just for show.

He wants to die. And take thousands with him.

-Can you stop it? -I'm not sure. Cross your fingers.

[GRUNTS]

[GUNFIRE]

[SCREAMING]

[PANTING]

[BEEPING]

[BATMAN GROANS]

[GRUNTING]

Show me. What did you do?

HARVEY: No.

[HARVEY PANTING]

I played along as long as I could.

While you and the docs had your joke.

You got everyone to smile and keep their lunches down when they looked at me.

-Pretending I looked normal. -You think...?

Cut it out. Just look at me and have your laugh.

Get it over with. At least both sides match now, right?

Look at me and have your laugh.

Who are we kidding? They couldn't fix me.

Nothing can change what I am.

You and me both.

WOMAN: I think it's a mistake to look at Batman's return in purely physical terms.

I think it's a symbolic resurgence of the common man's will to resist.

A rebirth of the American soul.

Okay, easy on the rhetoric, Lana.

The only thing Batman signifies is an aberrant psychotic force.

The man's a danger to every citizen.

-Hardly as dangerous as the criminals, is he? -Batman knows exactly what he's doing.

His kind of fascist always does. Sorry, Morrie and Lana, we're out of time.

But I'm sure this debate is far from over.

-Commissioner. -Mr. Hudson.

Sure, you should be out so late? Not safe, even for our top cop.

-Wife forgot bean sprouts. -Sounds like she's got you eating right.

Gotta watch the red meat, you know.

Everyone's a doctor.

You have a good night.

[HUDSON GRUNTS]

[BOTTLES SHATTERING]

[CHUCKLES]

[GUNFIRE]

A parents group called the Council of Mothers...

...filed a petition with the mayor's office today...

...as did the Victims' Rights Task Force...

...both calling for renewed sanctions against the Batman.

The mayor spoke to reporters this afternoon.

We're still in consultation on this. Still in consultation.

LOLA: incidents of violence against criminals continue to rise in Gotham.

Which of these acts are the work of Batman...

...and which are by others he's inspired, is impossible to tell.

Batman? I think he's A-okay. He's kicking all the right butts.

Beating the heads that need beating. Know what I mean?

I'd like to see him show up for my landlord next.

It makes me sick, to see such a violation of people's rights.

We have to strive to reintegrate the disenfranchised into society...

...not revel in their punishment.

We have to show patience. Excuse me? No, I'd never live in the city.

One moment, I've just been handed this.

"Commissioner James Gordon has been shot and kitted."

Wait, I'm sorry. I read that wrong.

"Commissioner Gordon has shot and kitted a 17-year-old Mutant."

[OVER TV] Gordon was attacked not far from his west-end apartment.

MAN: What a downer.

-Seventeen years old. WOMAN: Macho cops.

Just like Chicago. Remember Chicago?

MAN: Not really. I was tripping the whole time.

[GASPING]

Whoa. Instant pizza.

[GASPS THEN SCREAMS]

[GRUNTING]

Some Robin.

Gordon is set to retire later this week...

...while the mayor has yet to announce his replacement.

I'm still polling opinions. Still polling opinions.

In entertainment news, Galaxy Broadcasting president James Olsen...

...assured viewers that the television writers' strike, now in its fourth year...

...will not affect programming.

A spokesman for the Ridley Chewing Gum family has revealed that the Mutants...

...have kidnapped Kevin Ridley, the 2-year-old heir to the Ridley fortune.

[WAILING]

You ever wanna hear him again?

Do like we said. You got one hour.

[MUFFLED GRUNTING]

Oh, man. The kid messed himself.

Hold your breath. Once we get the ransom, we flush the whole kid.

[CREAKING]

[CREAKING]

[BAT SCREECHING]

-Get it off me. Get it off me. -Chill, Spot. It's just a bat.

[SCREAMING]

Get out of the way.

[GUNSHOTS]

Should have got out of the way, Spot.

[SCREAMS]

Back off or I'll kill him. Believe me man, I'll do it.

[GRUNTING]

[KEVIN WHIMPERING]

I believe you.

[GRUNTS]

[PANTING]

Didn't suck.

BATMAN: Do you know who I am, punk?

MAN: Where am I? I can't see. BATMAN: I'm your worst nightmare.

The kind that makes you wake up screaming for your mother.

MAN: I think I'm bleeding. What's on my face?

BATMAN: Quite an arsenal you had in that apartment.

Combat weapons.

You're going to tell me where you got them.

MAN: Solid, man, I'll tell you. But no cops, and I walk. Deal?

BATMAN: You're in no position to negotiate. Let me show you.

[SCREAMING]

For the record, no, that place wasn't worth coming to this neighborhood.

Don't worry, it's easy to get a cab on the next block.

-If we make it to the next block. -Will you chill out?

They can smell the fear on you, you know.

CARRIE: Eyes slideways.

Hoo! Haah!

Look out.

What the hell?

I'm trying to make an honest living here. Stay out of my business.

You're welcome.

So many years of service. My men, my country, that's all I cared about.

You've been selling weapons to the Mutants.

My wife...

...she's dying.

And after all those years, they wouldn't pay for the treatment.

You sent them enough firepower to stage a small war.

If it's a war they want, I've got just the thing.

Nice way to end your career, general.

[GUNSHOT]

DRIVER: Leader says everyone, so get in.

MUTANT 1: Sure. Figure we got plenty time for speeches.

DRIVER: Not talking speeches, man. Talking war.

The dump, in one hour. So get in.

MUTANT 1: Okay, okay. -The dump.

[RUMBLING]

[BEEPING]

ALFRED: Master Bruce? -Who else?

-Of course, but the signal is coming from... -Been a while since I've taken her out.

Still purrs. Like it was yesterday.

LEADER: They call us a gang.

They think we just noisy kids.

Only when they die by our hands will they know...

...Gotham City belongs to the Mutants.

[MUTANTS CHEERING]

Take the guns. Take the bombs.

Storm police headquarters and kill, and kill. Bring me the head of the old man Gordon.

I will carry it through the streets.

And the Batman, who thinks he can mess with us.

I will tear him limb from limb.

[FLARES WHISTLING THEN POPPING]

BATMAN [ON SPEAKER]: Mutants. Surrender now or be destroyed.

They don't even wait for an order.

Kids today. No respect.

[GRUNTING]

[THUDDING]

[GROWLS]

Rubber bullets.

LEADER: All this metal, and you don't even use it to kill?

It's just a shell to keep you safe?

What's the matter?

Ain't you got the stomach for it?

I call you coward.

Come out here and face me like a man.

I kill you. I eat your heart. Prove you can take me.

Prove you can fight with your hands.

Come on, man. You boring me.

ALFRED: Sir, you can't seriously be... BATMAN: Mm-hm.

ALFRED: He's in his prime. He'll kill you.

It's the only way I'll know.

[GRUNTING]

[GRUNTS]

Yeah, get him.

[BONES BREAK]

[BATMAN SCREAMS]

Ha! You slow, spud.

[GROANS]

No.

[CHUCKLES]

-That it? You getting tired, old man? -Shut up.

[GROANS]

[MOANS]

[BATMAN GROANING]

[SIGHS]

[LEADER YELLING]

[CARRIE SCREAMS]

[LEADER GRUNTING]

[GROANING]

Don't be dead, don't be dead, don't be dead.

Good, you're alive.

Now, wake up.

[GRUNTING]

Come on.

[BATMAN MOANS]

[BATMAN SIGHS]

ALFRED: Good girl. Thank you. Now, run along home.

[RUMBLING]

ALFRED: Please, dear. You're in the way of the sensors.

Uhn! Watch it. You're bouncing around too much.

BATMAN: It's all right.

Stretcher's gyro stabilized.

Cool. What is this thing?

-Dick called it the Batmobile. ALFRED: Sir.

Something a kid would say.

I like it. Now, hold your breath.

[BATMAN GROANS]

[BONES CRUNCH]

[CARRIE GRUNTS]

Where'd you learn to do that?

What's your name?

Carrie. Carrie Kelley.

Robin.

-Mine's Bruce. ALFRED: Sir, you are delirious.

You should stay quiet from now on. We're moments from the hospital.

No Alfred, no hospital.

The cave.

-But, sir... -The cave.

And Robin comes with us.

[BATMAN GROANING]

[BEEPING]

Hands to yourself, please.

Where did he go?

To find his strength.

Where are you?

I'm not finished yet.

And you're not finished with me.

You're never finished with me.

[SCREECHING]

He is a monster, striking at the foundations of democracy.

Where are the principles that make this the noblest country in the world?

I'm surprised there aren't more like him. People are sick of being afraid.

He's taking back what's ours.

Those are but a few of the reactions to the return of the Batman.

Tonight, we'll examine his impact on our society.

From Metropolis, managing editor of The Daily Planet, Lana Lang.

And from Gotham City, popular psychologist...

...and author of the best-seller, Hey, I'm Okay, Dr. Bartholomew Wolper.

Dr. Wolper, you've claimed the Batman is responsible for inciting crimes he fights.

Yet, crime in Gotham has dropped steadily since his return.

-Explain. -I'm glad you asked that, Ted.

Picture the public psyche as a vast, moist, membrane.

Batman has struck this membrane a vicious blow, and it has recoiled.

Hence the misleading short-term statistics.

But in the long term...

...a whole generation of young people will be bent to the matrix...

...of Batman's pathological self-delusion.

In this context, Batman could be considered a social disease.

That's the biggest load of bull I've ever heard.

Miss Lang, you've been perhaps the Batman's most vocal supporter.

How can you condone behavior that's so blatantly illegal?

What about due process? What about civil rights?

Ted, we live in the shadow of crime.

Resigned to be the victims of fear, of violence, of social impotence.

A man has risen to remind us the power is and always has been, in our hands.

For years, we've been under siege.

This one man is showing us that we can take a stand.

[INDISTINCT POLICE RADIO CHATTER]

A total of 83 members of the Mutant gang have been arrested...

...most suffering from bullet and shrapnel wounds.

Among those captured, is one they're calling the Mutant Leader.

Batman is a coward. I broke his bones.

Now, my Mutant army is coming to storm Gotham City.

We will come for our leader. We will kill Gordon.

We will raze Gotham and taste its blood. Prepare for war.

This whole Mutant situation is the result of commissioner Gordon's incompetence...

...and the Batman's terrorist actions.

To address these matters, Deputy Mayor Stevenson and I...

...are proud to announce the appointment of Captain Ellen Yindel...

...as Gordon's replacement upon his retirement.

Captain Yindel stands firmly against the Batman...

...and upon taking office, will aggressively pursue his capture.

Furthermore, right after this conference...

...I intend to personally sit down with the Mutant leader to negotiate a settlement.

What do you think, Trish? Has the mayor gone nuts?

Not at all, Ted. I expect the mayor's credibility rating to go through the roof...

...especially if he's successful in the Mutant negotiations.

Between this, his strong stand on Batman, and his choosing a woman...

...as the next police commissioner, I think we're seeing a whole new mayor.

Public-perception-wise, that is.

[FOOTSTEPS]

You sure you wanna go through with this?

Ahem. I, um...

GORDON: At least, you don't have to do it alone. I could be in there with you.

No, I have to resolve this.

That's what the polls say.

How you doing, Mr. Mayor?

[GULPS]

[MAYOR SCREAMS]

The mayor is dead.

The Mutant Leader has been returned to his cell.

A frightened silence has fallen over the city, as Gotham braces itself for attack.

Deputy Mayor... Excuse me. Mayor Stevenson, had this to say.

If there are any members of the Mutant g...

Organization listening, I urge you, the city is still willing to negotiate.

You've been through a lot. Your head wasn't clear at the time.

I knew exactly what I was doing.

-Bringing the girl here. -She's perfect. Smart, brave.

With her help, I can end the Mutant problem once and for all.

It all comes down to their leader. They worship him.

-Perhaps your judgment was impaired. -I tried to match his savagery last time.

-That was my mistake. I have to be smarter. -Very well, sir, I shall cut right to it.

Have you forgotten what happened with Jason?

BRUCE: I'll never forget what happened to Jason.

He was a good soldier. He honored me.

But the war goes on.

Robin.

Your training begins tomorrow.

It'll take weeks to prepare you properly.

But I have a job for you, tonight.

Alter my plan in any way, stray from my instructions at all...

...and you're fired.

Batman, he nasty. Tossed spike right through that sign.

Yeah, I figure that real cool, Rob.

Leader pegged Batman.

Leader say that, but Leader in a cell, Don.

Leader don't ship out no cell.

ROB: Eyes slideways. DON: Oh, chicken legs.

-In colors. -Chicken legs. Licken chegs.

Chegs kind of my nasty, Rob.

Chegs billy.

Chegs pre-school Mutant.

Leader take your face for touching me, spud.

Yeah, right. You Leader's squeeze, I figure.

Yeah? You really Mutants, I figure.

We Mutants. We slicer-dicers.

Sure you are. That's why you at the pipe.

Whatever. I don't shiv.

[CHUCKLES]

She don't shiv.

-What pipe? What you billy about? -Ears only, spud.

-As in members. -We Mutants.

-What pipe? -The pipe.

West River and 40.

Attendance. As in mandatory.

Yeah, sure, I knew about the pipe.

Sure you did. Didn't hear it from me, spud.

Heh. Real cool, Rob.

Shut up and come on.

GORDON: I don't care if his mother's pregnant.

We need every hand on deck. Now.

[DOOR OPENS]

-What can I do for you? -I'm reporting for duty.

-You're a few days early, captain. -Any duty, sir.

Sorry. Not much left to do but wait.

But you're welcome to wait here.

I've read your record, Yindel.

-You're a good cop. -Thank you, sir.

Truth is, you've been a hero of mine since I was a kid.

The only thing I don't understand is how far apart we are on Batman.

Then let's not talk about Batman.

-Of course we heard about the pipe. -Of course you did. Whatever.

I don't understand how you can support a vigilante. Our job is to uphold the law.

No thanks.

Wife made me quit the cigars.

I'm sure you've hears old fossils like me talk about Pearl Harbor? Mostly, we all lie.

Make it sound like we leapt to our feet...

...and went after the Axis the second it happened.

Truth is, we were scared stiff.

Rumors were flying, we barely had an army.

Hell, we were hiding in our beds with our heads under the sheets.

And then we heard President Roosevelt on the radio.

That voice, strong and sure...

...taking our fear and turning it into a fighting spirit.

He's why we won that war.

MUTANT 1: You ain't heard about the pipe? Leader says everyone.

MUTANT 2: We heard, we heard. We're on our way.

Years later, this report came out...

...that Roosevelt might have known Pearl Harbor was coming...

...and let it happen. That rattled around in my head for days.

How horrible it would be if it were true.

Then again, it's what got us into the war.

A lot of men died.

But in the end it saved millions.

I bounced back and forth like that...

...until I realized...

...it was too big for me to judge.

He was too big.

I still don't see what that has to do with Batman.

Maybe one day, you will.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Commissioner, you better see this.

-Where to? -Take the cycle back to the cave.

-You're done for tonight. -How do you know it worked?

GORDON: There must be thousands of them. Why? Why there?

-Because I want them there. -It'll take an army to surround them.

I could call in the National Guard.

No. You can't arrest and hold them all.

The only way to finish this is to defeat them. Humiliate them.

I'm counting on you, Jim. One last time.

You got kids, Officer Thompson, badge 5861?

-Shut up. -Just asking.

I love kids. How about a wife?

You got a sweet little wife all alone at home, 5861?

-I said shut up. -Thompson. Go get some air.

With pleasure.

-Come down to say hello, old man? -No. I came to say goodbye.

[LEADER GRUNTS]

[MUTANTS MURMURING]

[MURMURING CONTINUES]

[LEADER GRUNTS]

[YELLS]

Batman. Show yourself.

Face me, fool, and I will kill you.

I will show you who rules Gotham City.

Okay, son. Show me.

[GRUNTING]

You're weak, old man. You're slow.

True, but we're all slow when we're thigh high deep in mud.

And you're not too bright.

What was that?

Just the right kind of cut above the eyes.

The kind that bleeds.

Ah. You see, Don? Batman nasty.

MUTANT 1: Shh.

-Leader's bogging. -Leader billy berserk, Rob.

-He peg Batman, you see. MUTANT 1: Shh.

[PANTING]

[SCREAMS]

That a tickle?

That was a nerve bundle in your deltoid.

Might not hurt, but you won't be moving that arm for a while.

[YELLS]

He dusted. Batman dusted.

Batman don't shiv. You see.

You finished, old man.

You don't get it, son.

This isn't a mud hole.

It's an operating table.

And I'm the surgeon.

[BONE CRACKS AND LEADER SCREAMS]

[BONES CRUNCH AND MUTANTS GASP]

[BLOWS LANDING]

The Mutants are dead. This is the new face of the law.

We are the Sons of Batman.

And Gotham's criminals are about to enter heil.

It worked.

We rounded up about half of them, no fight left in them at all.

Those that got away have broken off into smaller gangs.

I'll deal with the rest of them in time.

You'll be doing that on your own. Good luck, Bruce.

You're gonna need it.

I'm telling you, I didn't do nothing.

Instances of Batman-inspired vigilantism are on the rise.

Regular people fighting to take back their neighborhoods.

How are you feeling, sir?

I know I should have been afraid. But this is my block.

The guy was mugging a lady in front of my shop.

Like it was yesterday.

Exactly as I warned, the Batman has infected the minds of Gotham's youth.

Poisoned these so-called "Sons of Batman"...

...with an insidious excuse for the most violently anti-social behavior.

Batman? I'm tired of hearing about him.

Why can't he just let things go, the way the rest of us do?

We count too.

A bunch of psychopaths turn on criminals...

...instead of the rest of us, and you wanna blame Batman?

I say more power to them.

Do not expect any further statements. The Sons of Batman do not make speeches.

-We act. -Batman...?

-Gotham City belongs to the Batman. -Batman.

Batman.

Darling.

MAN [ON TV]: How about assault? Or breaking and entering?

Or reckless endangerment?

They're using his name.

He could at least release a clear statement against what they're doing.

The Batman doesn't exactly come out with statements to the press.

No, he can't, because he's an outlaw.

How are the Sons of Batman his responsibility?

-He didn't create them. -He absolutely did.

They exist because Batman broke up the larger gang.

And we're better off for it.

Would you prefer the Mutant leader still be running things?

This Sons of Batman thing is exactly...

...why we didn't want these costumed heroes around 10 years ago...

...and why Batman shouldn't have come back.

Because of their effect on our youth...

...on the public, on the media, you get copycats.

I see my favorite patient is up and about. Just super to see how well you're doing.

-For years it seemed like you didn't have... -A reason to go on.

Exactly.

-I saw you on the TV last night. -Oh, that.

I get invited on the talk-show circuit now and then.

Must be wonderful to get to tell your side of things.

I know the world has every reason to hate me.

Don't say that. I always say, "Hate never heals."

But it's so disheartening.

[SOBBING]

I wish Batman could go public, but the police...

I bet I could arrange an appearance for you on one of the shows.

The home would have to approve a day pass.

They'll insist I be right beside you at all times, even on-stage.

Oh, please. No one wants to hear from me.

I think they'll fight for the chance to book you.

I'll make some calls right now.

LANA [ON TV]: What I think we should do is trust Batman...

...at least for the time being. He's saved us before.

Public uproar over The Dave Endochrine Show's announcement...

...that Joker will be appearing as a guest this week...

...while media analysts predict...

...it'll be Endochrine's highest-rated episode in years.

Meanwhile, the White House continues to decline comment on...

...the Batman's renewed activities...

...and the suggestion that his defiance is an embarrassment...

...to the current administration.

A White House spokesman only volunteered...

...that the president would deal with the situation...

...if and when appropriate and in his own way.

MAN 1: Son, you know I like to keep you out of domestic affairs...

...what with all the ruckus you stir up. MAN 2: Yes, sir.

MAN 1: But, well, it's a ruckus...

...I'd like you to straighten out.

Involving a friend of yours in Gotham City.

It's all well and good to have a wild bronco on the ranch now and then.

Does the hands good to break him in.

But if the bronco up and kicks over the fence...

...and gets all the other horses crazy...

...well, that's bad for business. MAN 2: I understand, sir.

Now, I'm not asking you to put him down. Not yet, anyway. But settle him.

Ride him around the yard a few times if you have to.

-You know what I'm asking. MAN 2: Sir, I can talk to him but...

I'd just hate for things to get out of hand.

You know, how to get in touch with him, don't you, son?

SUPERMAN: He's not hard to find, sir. -Good boy.

[SIREN WAILING]

-What are you? -We Bruno's.

We nasty.

Bruno? Who's he?

[LAUGHS]

-Bruno is a she. -Ha. Big she.

Kind of my nasty.

ROB: Aces, Don.

Bruno Joker's squeeze. He billy berserkest ever.

Yeah. Joker king of the billy.

Eh. Maybe he make us Jokers.

You Mutant kids go from one boss to the next.

-Too young to make your own decisions? -We not kids. We make decisions.

-You even old enough to drink? -Course we drink.

We slicer-dicers. We prove it.

[GUN COCKS]

[BOTTLE SHATTERS]

[GUN COCKS]

Guess you're Bruno.

Those two morons don't have a brain between them.

So I'm gonna give them yours.

All over their suits.

Thief! You're a thief!

Store on Seventh Street sells this for 2.50.

[ROB & DON LAUGHING]

Lady spud mine, Rob.

I need the points.

[DON GRUNTING]

[GUNFIRE]

[ALL GRUNTING]

[CLICKS]

[YELLS]

OWNER: Hey, Bats! Bruno's taking off.

[GASPS]

BATMAN: Pull that trigger and I'll be back for you.

[SNICKERS]

BATMAN: Pull that trigger and I'll be back for you.

Bruno's heading your way.

[OVER RADIO] Lead her into the alley. Don't let her see you.

Violate that order and you're fired.

[BRUNO GRUNTS]

Oh, yes.

[GROWLS]

[YELLS]

[GUNFIRE]

[GUNFIRE]

BATMAN: If you're lucky, Bruno, you'll end up in jail tonight.

But first you're gonna tell me what Joker has planned for his TV appearance.

[BOTH GRUNTING]

[ALL SCREAM]

[ALL CHATTERING]

MAN 1: Somebody do something.

[HORN HONKING]

MAN 2: There's a train coming! MAN 3: Do something!

[HORN HONKING]

MAN 4: There's one more. It's coming!

[GUNFIRE]

Tell me what Joker's planning.

[GROUND RUMBLING]

No. Not him. Not now.

[GUNFIRE]

[YELLS]

BRUNO: What is this? Unh.

[METAL GROANING]

[GRUNTING]

SUPERMAN: We have to talk. -I'm busy.

My place, in the morning. Until then, stay out of my way.

[YELLS]

Was that him?

Soviet representatives stormed out of talks over the conflict in Corto Maltese today...

...calling American military presence in the region pure fascist aggression...

...and pledging total military commitment to ousting the U.S...

...from the Latin American island nation.

Well, all that sounds like to me is the bluster of bullies.

And we don't back down from bullies. No, sir, we don't.

REPORTERS [ON TV]: Mr. President!

[REPORTERS CHATTERING ON TV]

How about that smartly-dressed youngster in the front row?

Mr. President, what's your position on the Batman controversy?

It was our understanding the government reached an arrangement with him...

...and his colleagues years ago to cease their activities.

Doesn't his return defy that arrangement?

Well, can't say I know what arrangement you're talking about.

But as for what's going on in Gotham, it's not my row to hoe, now is it?

That's a matter for the state level, and they've got a solid...

...clearheaded governor there, yes, they do.

Sorry, guys, I've got a whole state to run...

...and I trust the judgment of Mayor Stevenson on that.

My job is to administrate, not render moral judgments.

We've just appointed a new police commissioner...

...and I'm not about to interfere.

The job will officially change hands from outgoing Commissioner James Gordon...

...to incoming Ellen Yindel at a formal dinner this evening.

Neither has commented yet on Ms. Yindel's plans.

[ALL CHATTERING]

[GLASSES CLINKING]

[CROWD APPLAUDING]

To try to quote Ellen Yindel's outstanding record in the time I have...

...would do her a disservice.

Instead I offer the new commissioner my sympathy...

...knowing the impossible job she is about to face.

The life-and-death decisions. The city of thieves and murderers...

...and honest people too afraid to hope.

Recently, a man returned to the public eye...

...who refuses to do nothing while chaos runs rampant.

A man who shows us we can seize our city back from fear.

Many have asked how I can condone this man.

My answer is that we all have something, or someone, worth fighting for.

I have my wife, Sarah.

Any time I wonder if I'm doing the right thing...

...I think of Sarah, and the rest is easy.

Now it's Commissioner Yindel's turn to face this man.

She may make him her enemy, or maybe she'll learn from him.

Either way, I wish her well.

Thank you.

James Gordon dedicated his life to keeping this city safe...

...and I'm honored to share a stage with him.

But this office will no longer tolerate the actions of a criminal.

As my first official act as commissioner, on the charges of breaking and entering...

...assault and battery, and creating a public menace...

...I hereby issue a warrant for the Batman's arrest.

[NEIGHS]

[EAGLE SCREAMS]

You cost me hours of work last night.

Then I'll get right to it. You have to go back into retirement.

You're upsetting too many people.

BRUCE: Mm-hm.

Why do you always have to be like this? You played right into their hands last time.

When the parents groups came after us, you're the one they pointed to.

You act like a criminal.

Heh, we are criminals, Clark. We always have been.

You're still one too. Only difference is you have a boss.

And you answer to no one.

You know, we almost had this talk 10 years ago...

...when you wouldn't go along with the deal we made.

Everyone else agreed. Diana went back to her people...

...Hal left the planet.

And Oliver? Did he agree?

[SQUEAKS]

That's not how I wanted that to go.

He was all torn up about it too.

-He made it necessary. Like... -Like I'm about to?

-Do you even remember why you retired? -I remember.

Look. Either shut it down or one of these days someone with authority...

...is gonna tell me to come stop you.

-And when that happens... -When that happens...

...may the best man win.

I have to go. We'll finish this later.

[WIND WHOOSHING]

[HORSES NEIGH]

No hurry.

Brave American forces are now engaged in direct combat...

...with Soviet troops in Corto Maltese.

Now, those Soviets would like to see us turn our tails and run.

But we've got to protect our interest... I mean, stand up for freedom...

...and the good people of Corto Maltese.

So don't you fret. We've got God on our side.

Or the next best thing, anyway.

[CROWD YELLING]

[SOLDIERS GRUNTING]

We got a sweet show tonight, folks. Dr. Ruth Heizraumer...

...the wet hamburger bun contest...

...and a man who's brought a lot of smiles to the world.

See you then.

MAN: It was great to hear from you, boss. Most of the other guys...

...well, they gave up on you. But I knew you'd come back.

Oh, you look great. Anyway, I whipped up the lipstick you asked for.

And Bobby and Mary, they can't wait to help.

Oh, I also made you these, special filters.

Wear them tonight and only breathe through your nose.

And all these years I just held my breath.

Really?

I could kiss you.

Robin's last class is about to end. Go pick her up at school.

And if Miss Kelley should have something better to do with her evening?

There's nothing better.

MICHELLE: Where you been all this time? You're, like, gone.

Been busy.

You gonna make it to the fairgrounds tomorrow?

Opening day? Our tradition?

Ugh. It's this night job.

MICHELLE: Details. As in more.

Just helping some spud. It'd bore you.

Gotta fly.

Hey, Alfred.

YINDEL: First two teams are with me on the roof, the rest of you are down here.

I'm not waiting for the Joker.

And you can bet Batman isn't either. Neither of them is leaving here a free man.

-Is that understood? OFFICERS: Yes, ma'am.

[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING ON STEREO]

More on the eyes, please.

COSMETOLOGIST: You want lipstick, handsome?

I brought my own, thanks.

Wonderful to see you showing such interest.

Okay, Bobby, Mary, Uncle Joker's counting on you.

Go make him proud.

This is strictly an observation mission for you.

Stay in the copter and do not touch any of the controls.

If there's any trouble, just say "boosters."

The computer's all voice-controlled. You don't need to understand a thing.

Figure I wouldn't anyway.

Joker's thought this through. The publicity's brought the cops...

...and they'll keep me from him.

That a cloak?

Cool.

OFFICER 1 [OVER RADIO]: Commissioner, something's incoming.

-We can't get a lock on it. -I don't see anything.

Everything's on auto. Touch any of it and you're fired.

Cool, boss.

Keep at it! Do a channel sweep.

Holy...

-He can fly. -Not for long. Hit the flood!

[ALL GRUNTING]

[GUNFIRE]

YINDEL: Batman, you are under arrest.

[ALL COUGHING]

[GROANS]

[BEEPS]

Fox, Stokes, rush him!

-Rush him? YINDEL: He's twice your age, son.

Find the nerve.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING AND CHEERING]

[UPBEAT ROCK MUSIC PLAYING ON SPEAKERS]

What can we say about our next guest that hasn't been said before? Frank?

He's a kook, Dave. A maniac. No, I mean it, he's a nut.

WOLPER: Nothing like it, eh?

I always take this moment to say a little affirmation to myself.

So many faces. So few smiles.

Hey, now, no need to be nervous. Just follow my lead and be yourself.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]

DAVE: And our special guest, the Clown Prince of Crime...

...Joker.

[AUDIENCE CHEERING]

[ALL GRUNTING]

Get a copter in close to blow this stuff away!

OFFICER: Freeze, Batman!

Fire weapons.

Do something!

Joker, you've asked for a chance to share your side of things.

I'm told you've killed about 600 people.

-How exactly does your side of that go? -Stop right there.

This is a sensitive man, and I won't have him being harassed.

That's all right. I want people to get me.

All right, then.

That's why I'm gonna kill everyone in this room.

[AUDIENCE GASPS]

Okay.

I think that's a little more insight than we had in mind.

It's okay, he doesn't really mean that.

He's just trying to ease the tension.

Funny way to go about it.

You have to remember, this man isn't responsible for those killings.

He's merely a victim of the Batman's psychotic obsession.

I thought I was Batman's psychotic obsession.

[AUDIENCE LAUGHS]

So you think the Batman's the real sicko here.

Without a doubt. He's an obsessive-compulsive, narcissistic...

...hero-complexed sociopath.

-I would love a shot at him as a patient. -Do guests get to keep these?

Heh. Sure, you do whatever you want with it. We got a closet full of them.

[WOLPER YELLS]

[WOLPER GASPING AND GURGLING]

[AUDIENCE MURMURING]

So long as you won't miss it.

[AUDIENCE SCREAMING]

Breathe, David. Breathe.

[ALL LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY]

[GASPS]

[LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY]

[ALL GRUNTING]

Billy close.

Ace the cloak.

[GUNFIRE]

OFFICER [OVER BULLHORN]: Batman, land your vehicle now!

Been following on the radio.

It's over. Joker's gone.

-How many? -Don't know. Lots.

OFFICER: You have five seconds to comply.

Boosters.

-Boosters! -Peel.

[ROBIN YELLS]

Head back to the cave.

-I'm not fired? -You're not fired.

The military has imposed a communications blackout...

...for the 500-mile area surrounding Corto Maltese...

...amid reports of severe weather affecting the ongoing battle.

[BEEPING]

[GRUNTS]

LOLA [ON TV]: While more locally...

...tragedy struck at today's taping of The Dave Endochrine Show...

...where Joker used his deadly smile gas to kill the entire audience.

Joker is now reported to be on the loose...

...as is the Batman, who tangled with police at the scene.

SELINA: You never should have come back, Bruce.

You don't know how much the world has changed.

JOKER: Selina.

I need your help. It's very important.

[SELINA GRUNTING]

My help.

I made myself pretty for you. You should say thank you.

Thank you.

That's better.

Eeh. The years have not been kind, have they?

Anyhoo, I have a little errand for one of your girls.

I think her name's Elsie.

She has a date with a congressman tonight?

The death toll in the wake of Joker's attack stands at 206...

...including host Dave Endochrine and Joker's own doctor...

...Bartholomew Wolper.

-How do you fight someone like that? -Simpler than I've made it.

There's nothing wrong with Joker that I can't fix.

With my hands.

Both Joker and the Batman...

...who himself left dozens of police hospitalized...

...are now fugitives from the law.

Oh, Elsie.

[ELSIE MOANS]

There's something I need you to do, congressman.

-Will you do it? -Yes, Elsie.

He'll want me to pick up his trail. This is his game.

-He'll want it to go on. LOLA [ON TV]: I'm sorry.

We're going now to Ben Derrick, live in Midtown...

...where a shocking story is unfolding.

Lola, I'm standing outside the Gotham Vista Hotel...

...where Congressman Hector Alejandro Noches...

...has climbed out onto a 40th-story ledge...

...and is demanding a full nuclear strike against Corto Maltese.

[SIRENS WAILING]

You don't think they'll launch their nukes over this?

We have to strike first!

We're the most powerful country in the world.

MAN: Sir, please.

[HECTOR YELLS]

Lola, it's just confusion and one messy body down here right now.

Commissioner Yindel has arrived on the scene. I'll see if I can get a statement.

Commissioner, any word on why the congressman...?

Get those cameras behind the line!

[BEN GRUNTING]

Commissioner. O'Halloran, 6th precinct.

-Lieutenant. -Any way I can help?

This wasn't a suicide. The girl upstairs has been drugged.

-Says she's from Kyle Escorts. -That's Selina Kyle. My old beat.

-Shut it down and bring her in. -Yes, ma'am.

MAN: Commissioner.

Lieutenant O'Halloran, ma'am. Heard there was...

-Is something wrong? -Stop that man!

[ALL GRUNTING]

All units to Kyle Escorts.

[SELINA GRUNTING]

Selina.

SELINA: Bruce...

...he's worse than ever. He's using lipstick...

...mind control.

BATMAN: The will be here soon. Can you walk?

SELINA: I think so.

Boss, found something.

Cotton candy.

The fairgrounds.

Thousands will be there.

Half my friends will be there.

-Fan out. -Bring the Wing in close.

Don't take the girl.

-He'll... -Don't worry.

On the ground. Now.

[GUNFIRE]

[YELLS]

[BOTH GRUNTING]

BATMAN: Good soldier. Good soldier.

[CROWD CHATTERING]

[BATWING WHIRRING]

Boss, something's coming.

-It's big. It's... -Him.

He's there. Hold tight.

[CROWD SCREAMING]

Children, do you know why all these people are so upset?

That bad man up there.

Bobby, you know what to do.

[BEEPING]

-Incoming. -Wait, let it get closer.

Don't worry, Mary dear.

You two distract the little one, and I'll handle the bad man.

[CROWD SCREAMING]

[GIRL SCREAMS]

Are you out of your mind?

I'm through playing, Joker.

Be still, my heart.

[BEEPING]

[CROWD SCREAMING]

[BOY GASPS]

Don't leave in such a rush.

WOMAN: Unh. BOY: Aah!

[LAUGHING]

[BOY GRUNTING]

You're the Joker, right? Batman's gonna kick your ass.

JOKER: He's gonna have to go through you first.

Let the boy go, Joker.

[GUNSHOT]

[ALL GRUNTING]

[LAUGHING]

[GROANING]

Oh, that's bad.

You should get that looked at when you have a chance.

[CLICKING]

[SNICKERS]

[BEEPING]

[ALL SCREAMING]

[BOTH GRUNT]

[ROBIN GASPING]

[YELLS]

[WHIMPERING]

[SCREAMS]

[CROWD SCREAMING]

MAN: He's got a gun.

OFFICER: Freeze, Joker.

[GROANING]

[GUNFIRE]

[LAUGHING]

[WOMAN 1 SCREAMS]

Excuse me, sorry. Beg your pardon.

Coming through. Excuse me. Sorry about that.

Ooh, my bad. Excuse me.

[GUNSHOTS]

[BOTH WHIMPERING]

[BOTH GRUNTING]

No more.

All the people I've murdered by letting you live.

I never kept count.

-I did. -I know.

And I love you for it.

[BATMAN GROANING]

It's finally here, isn't it? The moment we've both dreamed about.

[GRUNTING]

Oh, don't tell me you're gonna fall asleep before we finish.

You have gotten old, haven't you?

Not quite how I imagined it...

...but we can still end on a high note.

[LAUGHING]

[BONE CRACKS]

[WOMAN 2 SCREAMS]

[CHUCKLES]

You're in trouble now.

[GROANS]

JOKER: Go ahead.

Say this has never happened to you before.

Shut up.

Make me.

Come on, finish me.

[SIGHS]

Doesn't matter. I win.

I made you lose control.

[LAUGHING]

And they'll kill you for it.

[JOKER LAUGHS]

See you in hell.

[LAUGHING]

[BONE CRACKS]

[GROANS]

[PANTING]

[SIGHS]

YINDEL: Keep going, down here.

[GRUNTS]

OFFICER 1: There's another body.

Watch yourselves. Witnesses saw both of them this way.

OFFICER 2: Down this way. Go right.

Robin, call the copter.

Locate my signal.

Don't touch him.

[OFFICER 2 SCREAMS]

[ALL GRUNTING]

[COUGHS]

Freeze, you son of a bitch. Unh.

Cute gun.

OFFICER 3: Move forward. OFFICER 4: Keep your heads straight.

OFFICER 3: How are we supposed to find him?

If it isn't a cop, shoot it.

-Over there. -Clumsy.

[GUNFIRE]

Stop laughing.

[ALL YELLING]

[COUGHS]

[GUNFIRE]

[YELLS]

Auto-pilot. Property damage.

[GROANING]

[BATMAN GRUNTS]

[BEEPING]

-He gonna make it? ALFRED: Suture.

He'll live. He's far too stubborn to die.

Through this horrific murder and his attacks on the police...

...the Batman has revealed himself to be an unqualified menace.

I have asked the governor to place the state police at Gotham City's disposal...

...to hunt down this dangerous fugitive.

GORDON: No comment. -Jim, you can't protect him anymore.

[OVER PHONE] He's a murderer now.

If you've talked to him, you have to let me know.

He and I don't talk anymore.

[OVER PHONE] I know everything I need to know.

[LINE CLICKS]

TOM [ON TV]: Joker's death and Batman's fugitive status...

...have become more than local or statewide issues these days.

[SARAH CLEARS THROAT]

TOM: ... and this morning, White House spokesperson Melanie Endara...

...said the FBI was providing regular updates to the Oval Office...

...on the progress police are making in the hunt for Batman.

-The groceries? Now? -Wanna eat tonight?

I'm going.

Be careful. And no cigars.

TOM: Another splinter group has emerged from the remains of the Mutant army.

Calling themselves the Nixons...

...the group is committing a spree of violent armed holdups...

WOMAN [ON TV]: We interrupt this program to bring you a special report.

We now go live to a statement from the president of the United States.

Well, folks, I've got some good news and some bad news.

The good news is that our brave American troops...

...were victorious in Corto Maltese...

...and the Soviets have completely withdrawn.

Bad news is, well...

...looks like those Russians are some mighty sore losers.

[SUPERMAN GRUNTS]

[GRUNTS]

The warhead appears to be on a course for Corto Maltese...

...where 50,000 U.S. troops are stationed...

...along with the 2 million citizens of the small island.

But the larger questions on everyone's minds...

...are whether this is the first strike in a full-scale nuclear attack...

...and whether the U.S. has begun retaliation.

[BEEPING]

[GRUNTING]

We are getting reports that the missile has changed course...

...and will now detonate over an...

[ALL CHATTERING]

WOMAN: What happened?

[EKG BEEPING]

[YELLS]

[WHEEZING]

[ALL CHATTERING]

ROBIN: What happened? Is he dead? -No, he's quite alive.

Appears the whole city is having an outage.

Odd that the emergency generator hasn't kicked in.

Aces. My cheapo watch stopped too. Figure I didn't just buy it.

-Boss. -Show me.

[GRUNTS]

Clark...

...you let them do it.

You idiot.

-What? What's happening? ALFRED: Sir, you have to rest.

A blackout, our generator's dead, and Robin's watch stopped.

It's an electromagnetic pulse.

In all likelihood, from a nuclear explosion.

You don't know that.

Oh, dear.

We're still here.

[BRUCE GROANS]

For the moment.

May mean the Soviets detonated a cold bringer.

Not meant to kill us, just cripple us.

-Ever ride a horse before? -Don't think I've ever seen a horse before.

BATMAN: You're about to learn fast.

Not as fun as I thought it would be.

[CROWD SCREAMING]

This is our moment.

Gotham is helpless.

We will take charge.

We will kill anyone who stands in our way.

[MUTANTS CHEER]

BATMAN: No.

[NEIGHS]

Tonight I am going to maintain order in Gotham City.

You are going to help me.

But not with these.

These are loud and clumsy.

These are the weapons of cowards.

Our weapons are precise and quiet.

In time I will teach them to you.

But for tonight, you will rely on your brains and your fists.

Tonight, we are the law.

Tonight, I am the law.

[ALL CHEERING]

[ALL SHOUTING]

MAN: Looters are gonna strip us dry. -We need more cops.

-We don't even have phone lines. -One at a time.

Commissioner, we got a problem.

[ALL SHOUTING]

Slice and dice.

[ALL YELLING]

[GROANS]

[GROANS]

[NEIGHS]

[ALL GRUNTING]

[NEIGHS]

[COUGHS]

-Hey, we need to put out the fires. -Are you crazy? Let go of me.

MAN 1: Get out of my store, huh. Get out of here.

[GRUNTS]

[GUNSHOT]

GORDON: Listen up.

This is our neighborhood.

Our homes.

We're better than this.

The fires are spreading, and the fire department isn't coming.

So if any of you want roofs over your heads tomorrow...

...and the day after that, start helping.

I have buckets. Let's get those hydrants open.

MAN 2: All right. MAN 3: Yeah, right.

MAN 4: Let's do it.

-Here, let me help you. MAN 5: The drugstore has bandages.

[BOY GRUNTING]

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls...

...I'm here to appeal to your community spirit.

I know you've had your differences in the past.

Some of you will even argue that you can't work together.

That's fine.

Those people will stay tied up.

And it will not be a function of which group you're in.

What is this, the gestapo? He lumps us together with criminals. Unh.

Shut up, man.

The rest of you can lend a hand to keep our city from falling apart.

You can lead by example.

Your choice.

I'm sure you're all eager to help.

[GRUNTS]

-I'm suing. -Good luck with that.

-What are we gonna do? -Nothing.

He's too big.

MAN 1: All right. MAN 2: All right, keep it going, guys.

MAN 3: Come on. MAN 4: Keep working.

MAN 5: Come on, guys. Have that. MAN 6: More water.

[WOMAN COUGHING]

MAN 7: The fire is spreading to the East Side!

[GASPS]

[CROWD SCREAMING]

SARAH: Jim!

Oh.

LOLA [ON TV]: One week now that the U.S. has been blanketed in a cloud of ash.

Electricity is finally coming back online in parts of the country...

...but the impact on weather patterns is expected to last much longer.

It's high noon in Gotham City, and yet there's no sun...

...and it's the coldest day of the year.

I don't know what to wear.

Every major city in the country but one...

...has descended into riots, looting and other crimes.

The president has imposed limited martial law...

...but this has been seen to have little effect.

Only Gotham has maintained order...

...thanks to the vigilante gang being led by the Batman...

...adding to the massive credibility nightmare...

...being experienced by the president's administration.

-How are you feeling, son? -Better, Mr. President. Thank you.

Sorry I haven't been able to help more.

Oh. This'll all blow over. Don't you give it another thought.

So long as you're up to handling our other little problem now?

Of course, sir.

Though he'll never let me bring him in alive.

Well, you do what you need to do.

MAN: You always did do it wrong, Bruce.

Been five years since I busted out of jail...

...and you know I've been busy.

But I made it hard on them.

They had to cover up my escape...

...and now they have to cover up my work.

And it's a lot harder to frost me if they can't admit I exist.

You draw too much attention to yourself. Always have.

I mean, sure, you play it mysterious...

...but it's a noisy kind of mysterious.

You, they have to kill.

What is it you want, Oliver?

A piece of him. The schoolboy.

I always knew it would come down to the two of you someday.

The world's not big enough for the both of you.

Doesn't have to be a big piece.

Just count me in, for old times' sake.

Still hurts when it's cold.

Lately, it's been cold a lot.

Good. Now take him into a canter.

No!

[NEIGHS]

Crime Alley.

-You're not even close to fully recovered. -Neither is he.

[GRUNTS]

He doesn't need a walking hospital bed to keep his insides together.

I know you're not looking forward to your part in this.

ALFRED: I can't say it will be pleasant.

But it does fall within my duties.

BRUCE: One hour.

Army troops have evacuated the downtown slum known as Crime Alley.

No explanation has been given, and news coverage has been flatly...

[BEEPING]

SOLDIER 1: Vehicle approaching from the west. Something huge.

SOLDIER 2: Let it through. Then close the hole.

He'll still be weak, between the nuke and so little sunlight.

Just how weak we'll see when he finds my first surprise.

Yeah, but how long you expect to last against him?

BATMAN: Long enough. -Boss.

I'm trying to get the plan here.

I mean, you gonna die tonight or what?

Figure I will.

I've got a visual. It's him.

COMMANDER: Do not engage. Just monitor his position.

SOLDIER: Wait, I lost him.

COMMANDER: Don't worry.

He can't hide from what's coming.

[BEEPS]

[GRUNTING]

[BEEP]

[VEHICLE APPROACHING]

[GRUNTING]

[YELLS]

Isn't this a school night, young lady?

BATMAN: Clark.

This is between you and me.

-We don't have to do this. -Sure we do.

[BATMAN GRUNTS]

Bruce, be reasonable.

You know what my orders are.

Your orders?

[SCREAMING]

[ALFRED GROANING]

[SCREAMING]

You say you answer to some sort of authority.

They only want me dead because I'm an embarrassment.

Because I do what they can't.

What kind of authority is that?

[GROANING]

[GRUNTS]

It doesn't matter. It's their world, and they won't stand for you anymore.

If it isn't me, it'll just be someone else.

Really? Who do they send after you?

[SUPERMAN GRUNTS]

SOLDIER: We got the vehicle. Appears disabled.

-Unknown if anyone's inside. COMMANDER [OVER RADIO]: Roger that.

Approach with caution.

[GRUNTING]

[SUPERMAN GRUNTING]

[BATMAN GRUNTING]

Bruce, this is idiotic.

That was three ribs, Bruce.

Don't make me do this.

BATMAN [ON RECORDING]: Robin. This is a recording.

Clark should be too busy to listen now. Here's the plan.

OLIVER: Anything good on?

[SOLDIER GRUNTS]

COMMANDER [OVER RADIO]: What was that?

Who's up there? I want people on that roof.

[BOTH GRUNTING]

[BEEPING]

[SCREAMS]

[YELLS]

Get ready.

What are you doing? Do you want me to kill you?

Oh, you're not going to kill me.

Now.

[SUPERMAN GROANING]

BATMAN: It wasn't easy to make, Clark.

It took years and cost a fortune.

Luckily, I had both.

SOLDIER: He's down here!

Eyes downside, spud.

Hi-ho freaking silver.

You're feeling it now, aren't you?

What the rest of us live with every day.

Your own mortality.

[GROANS]

Don't worry, you'll survive.

The kryptonite will work its way out of your lungs soon enough.

[BEATING ERRATICALLY]

Bruce. Your heart.

We got them. They got nowhere to go.

But I didn't have to go easy on you.

A different binding agent, a stronger mix.

I want you to remember that.

I wanted to remind you to stay out of my way.

In all the years to come, in your most private moments...

...I want you to remember the one man who beat you.

[BATMAN GROANING]

Bruce.

[GROANS]

Don't touch him.

Funeral proceedings are underway today for Bruce Wayne...

...as Gotham City still reels from last week's spectacular revelation...

...that the world famous billionaire was the Batman.

All of Wayne's secrets, his methods and tools in his decades as the Batman...

...died with him as Wayne Manor burned to the ground.

The fire was apparently set by his butler...

...who himself died of a stroke at the scene.

Every penny of Wayne's wealth...

...all of his accounts and financial holdings, have also disappeared.

Amen.

You've got some nerve showing up here.

-I know who killed him, damn you... GORDON: Selina.

Don't. It's no use. Let's go.

[SELINA CRYING]

Were you a friend?

I think so. I honestly couldn't say.

Sounds about right.

[HEART BEATS]

[HEART BEATS]

-See that ledge? Get another lamp up there. -Right, boss.

-And, you, one there too. -Cool, boss.

OLIVER: There's a fresh spring under here.

I want our water supply set up in one hour.

-We ain't got forever, people. BRUCE: Sure we do.

Starting now, I'm going to teach you everything.

All of my ways. All of my secrets.

You're going to be my army, operating in the shadows...

...keeping Gotham safe.

And we're going to take as long as we need.

Now, do what Oliver says and get to work.

-Right, boss. -You got it, boss.

MAN 1: Give me a hand here. MAN 2: Go. Come on, come on, come on.

OLIVER: Heard the schoolboy found you out.

It's all right. I think the message got through.

As long as we stay quiet, he'll leave us alone.

-You gonna be all right with this? -This quieter mysterious?

I spent 10 years looking for a good death.

This...

This'll be a good life.

Good enough.