Batman: Year Ending By Lee Thomson

Batman comicbook character

leejthomson@yahoo.com

FADE IN: EXT. MONARCH THEATER -- NIGHT Monarch Theater -- Stylistic, modern and upbeat movie theater -- "Mask of Zorro" is displayed in bright lights above the doors -- people of all ages enter with smiles and excitement. BATMAN (V.O.) It began here... FADE TO: EXT. MONARCH THEATER -- NIGHT Monarch Theater -- Now rundown -- Windows smashed and front doors broken open -- "Mask of Zorro" still hangs, but missing "A" and an "R" while the "F" hangs upside down -only people outside are whores and drug dealers. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...This is where the roots of Gothams evil finally surfaced, finally showing itself and began spreading like a virus... A large shadow in the shape of a BAT moves swiftly over them. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...It is where I decided to become the cure... CUT TO: INT. CRIMINOLOGY STUDIES CLASSROOM -- DAY A young BRUCE WAYNE has several books on his desk -- He is focused -- His concentration is broken by his TEACHER, grey hair, older figure who hands him a piece of paper -- It is a test with "A" stamped on it. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...First I trained my mind to understand the sickness plaguing my city... CUT TO:

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INT. SCIENCE LAB -- DAY BRUCE is mixing a varying amount of chemicals, until "BANG" -- Everyone in the classroom is stunned, but not Bruce as he scribbles down his findings. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...Be ready for it, resist it... CUT TO: INT. ADVANCED TECH EDUCATION CENTER -- DAY Various cuts of Bruce working on and building several devices -- Firstly the tip of what will become his grapple gun -- It looks like a silver spike until it pops open revealing 3 additional spikes all facing downwards -- Then we see Bruce strapping electrodes to his arm, with a flex of his forearm in a specific fashion launches "Ninja Star" style projectiles from under his wrist. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...Learn how to use my knowledge to fight it... Lastly a small LCD which when pressed starts up an old car in front of him, which gains a small smile from Bruce. BATMAN (V.O)(CONTD) ...With my mind ready, I trained my body... CUT TO: EXT. TIBETAN MONASTERY -- EVENING Candles surround Bruce as he meditates -- suddenly he is attacked, but he reacts taking out his 3 would-be attackers. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...I traveled the world... CUT TO: EXT. RUSSIAN STREET -- NIGHT About 50 men, most shirtless are gathered in a circle -Cheering and chanting -- Inside we find Bruce Wayne -Bearded -- Fighting a man who looks twice his size -- There isnt the grace this time -- This is about fighting with (CONTINUED)

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grunt -- Wayne strikes his opponents body strategically chopping the man down before finishing the job with a swift and effective upper cut. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...I learned how to fight, who to fight... CUT TO: INT. JAPANESE TEMPLE -- DAY Four men, each with large swords guard a small box that is centered between them. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...And when to use the shadows and the environment to my advantage... Suddenly the temples bell rings -- The men, distracted, turn -- A second chime -- Bruce takes one of the men down, noise of the bell covering his movements -- The three men left realise they are being taken out -- Lights suddenly go out -- one man lights a torch to reveal he is now alone -Creaks are heard all around -- Behind -- In front -- To the Left -- Suddenly he is grabbed from above Bruce walks over to the box and opens it to reveal the message "YOU ARE READY" BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...All that was left was to prepare for war... CUT TO: EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE -- DAY BRUCE WAYNE appears happy with a shovel in hand, digging it into the ground -- This is one of many Wayne funded projects that have begun over the last couple of years -- A small group on photographers and reports, including VICKI VALE, a hard edged and determined reporter, good looking, but demands respect, capture the moment. BATMAN (V.O)(CONTD) ...Wayne funded projects provided me with the opportunity to place strategic strongholds and bases around the city... CUT TO:

4. INT. WAYNE MANOR -- NIGHT BRUCE stares out a large window GOTHAM CITY is seen in the distance. BATMAN (V.O)(CONTD) ...I now had the means, but I still lacked the method... A Bat comes crashing through the window -- SMACKS into the PORTRAIT OF THOMAS AND MARTHA WAYNE before heading ground -BRUCE stares as the blood of the bat drips off painting. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...A Bat. Only Gotham City would provide inspiration in the form of a such a demonic animal... CUT TO: EXT. ALLEY WAY -- NIGHT A DEALER, wearing a black leather jacket, old t-shirt and has a scruffy beard, is running down an alley way -- He is constantly checking over his shoulder. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...So to become the cure this city wanted, I became... Whoosh -- A figure swoops between the camera and the DEALER -- It was quick -- The DEALER IS NOW GONE. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...A hunter... CUT TO: INT. DRUG HOUSE -- NIGHT 2 Men, both large builds are cutting a line of cocaine -The lights go out just as one man was about to snort. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...A stalker of my prey... One of the men lights a match -- TWO HANDS wrap around his face and pull him into darkness -- Match still alight falls to the floor. CLOSE UP: MATCH ON THE FLOOR AS BATMANS BOOT STEPS ON IT PUTTING IN OUT. (CONTINUED)

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BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...A creature of the night... FADE TO BLACK: EXT. GOTHAM CITY SKYLINE -- NIGHT WIDE: GOTHAM CITY -- BATMAN STANDING ON A ROOFTOP -- CAMERA SLOWLY STARTS TO PULL FURTHER OUT FROM THE CITY BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...But like any virus, it became resistant... CUT-IN: VARIOUS CUTS OF JOKER, RIDDLER, HUGH STRANGE, PENGUIN AND TWO FACE BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...Growing into a new form of evil, declaring war on me and my city... CUT-IN: SHOTS OF NIGHTWING TAKING OUT SEVERAL ARMED MEN, TIM DRAKE ROBIN ANALYSING BULLET FRAGMENTS AND JIM GORDON TURNING ON THE BAT-SIGNAL. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...So I raised an army of my own to combat this new wave of cancer... CUT-IN: A SHOT OF A ROBIN COSTUME (JASON TODDS) IS A GLASS CONTAINER. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...We have suffered losses... CUT-IN: A SHOT FROM BEHIND A WOMAN IN A WHEEL CHAIR AS IN FRONT OF HER A LARGE AMOUNT OF COMPUTER SCREENS BOOT-UP. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...But our resolve never dies... ABOVE WIDE SHOT IS NOW REVEALED TO BE A REFLECTION IN A PAIR OF BINOCULARS. BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...Now there is a new hunter... Man lowers binoculars revealing a face completely covered in bandages.

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BATMAN (V.O.)(CONTD) ...And I am the prey... CUT TO BLACK: Bat logo appears LITTLE GIRL (SINGING) HUSH little baby dont say a word...