Batman: The Line

Issue #1: The Flash

[Gotham City. Arkham Asylum. It is dawn as the Batmobile pulls up to the front gate of the asylum.]

BATMAN: [Word box.] It seems like we have an incident like this every-other month. It's getting tiring.

[GCPD squad cars and ambulances are sitting outside as Batman approaches. Commissioner Jim Gordon is there waiting.]

BATMAN: [Word box.] Every time this happens, I hope that it's not going to be too bad. Maybe it's only Tetch or Walker this time.

BATMAN: What's the damage?

GORDON: It could be worse, I suppose.

BATMAN: That doesn't sound reassuring.

[The two make their way inside the asylum. The place is in shambles as guards and orderlies are wheeled out on stretchers.]

BATMAN: [Word box.] But I'm never that lucky.

GORDON: No one was too badly injured. A few minor inmates escaped, and most of them even made it back to their cells.

BATMAN: Jim. You wouldn't have called me if it was just a few minor inmates.

GORDON: …No. You're right. I wouldn't have.

BATMAN: So who is it? Dent? Crane?

[Gordon shakes his head sadly. Bruce already knows what's coming.]

GORDON: No. I only wish we were that lucky. No, it's…

BATMAN: Him.

[Gordon nods his head. Bruce grimaces, then turns out of the asylum with Gordon on his heels.]

GORDON: I hate this. Every time he gets out it makes me sick.

BATMAN: I'll find him, Jim. [Bruce climbs inside the Batmobile. It speeds off down the street.]

[Coast City. Home of Green Lantern Corps member Hal Jordan. It is midday. The city is abuzz with political discourse. A rally for Presidential candidate Morris Dunfeld is being held in the Coast City convention hall. It's a large event, with over two thousand people attending. Outside, Carol Ferris is making a phone call to her fiancé, Hal Jordan.]

BATMAN: [Word box.] I just hope I'm not too late.

CAROL: I know you don't really like him, Hal, but Morris is an old family friend.

[Cut to Green Lantern. He's clearing space debris from a space station as astronauts watch from portholes.]

GREEN LANTERN: I just don't agree with his politics is all.

[Back to Carol.]

CAROL: Hal. Morris has been a huge supporter of the League. And he adores you. Just give him a chance.

GREEN LANTERN: [Over cell. Laughing.] Okay, okay. [Chuckles.] Just let me know when you get out. We should get a pizza tonight or something okay?

CAROL: Sure thing. See you tonight, handsome.

[Cut to Hal.]

GREEN LANTERN: See you tonight, beautiful. [He hangs up.]

[Inside the convention hall, the party is bustling with people. Many of them wear shirts or carry signs with Dunfeld's slogan on it, "Justice for ALL." In the main convention hall, hundreds of people are waiting to hear him speak. A large "Dunfeld: Justice for ALL" banner hangs above the stage. A man stands at the podium on the stage.]

DUNFELD SUPPORTER: [Glancing at a note card.] Before we begin, I've been told that Mr. Dunfeld has hired a comedian to do an opening act for him. So everyone, I'd like you to please welcome to the stage, Mr. Napier!

[The crowd claps enthusiastically as the man walks off stage. He is followed closely behind by a sharply dressed man in a black suit and hat. He walks behind the podium. After a moment, when the applause has died down, he removes his hat, revealing himself to be the Joker.]

JOKER: Hellooooooooooooo Coast City!

[The crowd is unsure of whether to applaud, laugh at the man's strange appearance, or do nothing, so they do a little bit of all three. Certain people recognize the Joker and flee immediately. One woman screams in terror as she runs from the convention hall.]

JOKER: Hmm, tough crowd. I haven't had that many people walk out on me since my family reunion!

[The joke gets a lot of laughs. The people left here aren't very familiar with who the Joker is.]

JOKER: But seriously, folks. Let's talk about politics for a minute. [He takes the microphone off of the stand and begins pacing across the stage.] There's been a lot of talk lately about "justice." But really, who needs it? *HA.* It hasn't exactly worked in the past. Which is why I'm proposing a change in the regime. See, I might be opening for good 'ole Mr. Dunfeld here, but the real reason I'm here today is to make the announcement…

[Joker pulls on a previously unseen rope that leads upward. A banner unfurls, covering the Dunfeld banner and unveiling a new one. The new banner is poorly made with crudely painted-on letters that read, "Napier: Anarchy for America!"]

JOKER: I have decided to run for President of these United States! Haha!

[The crowd is silent. This is clearly not what they were expecting.]

JOKER: C'mon, I'm the perfect candidate! I hate everyone, I despise government control, and I think everyone needs a copy of the Bible. Have you read this thing? It's a riot! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[The hall is uncomfortably quiet. Joker barely notices.]

JOKER: Gotta admit, though, I am pro-choice. Like I always say, "It's not too late to change your mind!" Hahahahaha!

[The crowd is becoming belligerent at this point. One crowd member stands up and screams at Joker.]

MAN: Get off the stage, you clown!

[The hall erupts in cries of jeers. Some people start throwing things. Joker is a little distraught.]

JOKER: Alright! Alright. I can see I'm not wanted. [He descends from the stage after returning his hat to his head.] Have a good day, everyone! And remember: Vote Napier! [He leaves the hall to a cacophony of boos and jeers. The Dunfeld supporter steps back up to the stage, clearly unsettled.]

DUNFELD SUPPORTER: Sorry about that, folks. Not really sure what that was all about. [He smiles, trying to get things back on track.] Now, please welcome to the stage, Morris Dunfeld!

[The crowd erupts into cheers and applause.]

[Cut to the lobby of the hall. Carol is walking in to see Dunfeld when she passes by the Joker. Before he can pass fully by, however, he taps her shoulder, stopping her cold.]

JOKER: Enjoy the convention, ma'am.

[Carol turns back to look at him. As Joker walks off, she catches only a glimpse of his green hair poking out from under his hat. She is unsettled and confused, but she continues into the conference hall.]

[Dunfeld takes the stage. He smiles cheerfully and addresses the crowd as Carol takes her seat.]

DUNFELD: Thank you, thank you. Thank you all for coming out here today. I'm glad to see so many smiling… [Dunfeld notices something lying on the podium. It's a Joker Card. He picks it up, and drawn in marker on the other side is an arrow pointing down.] …faces…

CAROL: [Realizing what is about to happen.] Everyone out! Go!

[Dunfeld looks under the podium to see it is stuffed with explosives. He begins to scream in terror.]

[Cut to the exterior, where the Joker clicks the detonator in his palm. He isn't even looking at the convention hall as the entire building goes up in flames. He simply keeps walking.]

[Aquaman, Cyborg, and Green Lantern are picking over the rubble. Hal kneels, finding what he's looking for.]

CYBORG: [To Hal.] How many?

GREEN LANTERN: [Clutching Carol's engagement ring in his fist. Barely restraining his anger.] ...Enough.

[Cut to The Flash tearing down the street, his iconic yellow lightning following him as he dashes between cars.]

FLASH: Any luck?

[Cut to Superman and Wonder Woman flying above the city. Clark is using his x-ray vision to scan the buildings. Diana is flying low, keeping an eye on the alleyways.]

SUPERMAN: Nothing. But he can't have gotten far.

BATMAN: [Over comms.]

BATMAN: I'll find him. I know where he likes to hide.

[Cut to Batman. He's in the Batmobile, racing along the roads. Suddenly he stops. It's a comedy club. It doesn't seem out of the ordinary, except for the sign. It reads, "Jack White, One Night Only.']

[Batman breaks open the door. He rushes into the theater to find the Joker on the stage. There's only one person in the audience. Joker is doing a comedy routine as Batman approaches.]

JOKER: ...he says, "What do you think I am, crazy? You'd..."

[Joker sees Batman approaching. As he gets nearer, Batman finds that the one person in the audience is a handsome man with blonde hair and a white suit. His face is stretched into the Joker grin. He's dead.]

JOKER: Oh, but you've heard that one, haven't you, Bats? No use using old material, then. [He gestures to the dead man.] Y'know, I'm really fond of the alias "Jack White." It really gets under my skin when other people think that's their so-called "real name." Ha! We both know that real names are a joke, don't we?

[Batman leaps up on stage and tackles the Joker. Joker rolls and pops back up. He draws a knife from his jacket.]

JOKER: Oh, Bats, such a comedian. You really cut me up! HA!

[Joker lunges forward with the knife. Batman barely hesitates as he deftly disarms his foe. Joker punches him in the face, but Batman is already coming back with a low kick, sending Joker on his back.]

JOKER: Gee, awfully rough today. And I've forgotten the safe word!

[Joker draws a gun. He goes to fire it, but Batman grabs his wrist and aims it at the ceiling. It goes off, punching a hole in the roof and letting a single beam of sunlight in.]

BATMAN: Enough!

[Batman sends a punch into Joker's stomach so hard he cries out in pain, a rarity. Batman kneels and draws Joker up to eye-level. Though his eyes are behind his mask, the way it's drawn should convey that he is beyond angry.]

BATMAN: Do you know how many you've killed today? The lives you've ruined?!

JOKER: [Slightly perplexed.] What? [Dawning on him.] Oh, the convention. Are you still mad about that? It was almost an hour ago! I'd nearly forgotten.

[Batman slams Joker's head into the wood planks of the stage. The sound is loud and painful. Nothing is broken, but not for lack of trying.]

BATMAN: You've gone too far, Joker. This time you've really outdone yourself.

JOKER: That's awfully sweet of you, but honestly I wasn't really trying. I guess I'm just naturally talented!

[Batman rolls Joker onto his back with his foot. His mouth and nose are bloody, but he still has that manic grin. Batman stares at him for a moment.]

JOKER: [Deathly serious, but still grinning.] Are you gonna do it this time? Or am I going in a nice ride in the Bat-Station Wagon before you send me off to bed?

[Batman doesn't reply. Instead he sends a quick jab into Joker's skull, knocking him unconscious. Without any words, he loads him into the back of the Batmobile. When he is in the car, he activates his comms.]

BATMAN: Batman to Justice League. I have him.

GREEN LANTERN: [Over comms. Furiously.] Where is he?!

BATMAN: On his way back to Arkham. Where he belongs.

GREEN LANTERN: No, screw that! You let me have him. I'm gonna-

BATMAN: Jordan! [Silence.] No. I am taking him back to Arkham. Stay here. There's a lot of work to be done.

[The Batmobile tears off into the distance, back to Gotham.]

[Cut to a close up of Green Lantern's face. He is still livid.]

GREEN LANTERN: [Activating his comms.] Clark. Diana. Arthur. We need to talk.

[Batcave: Interior. The Batmobile roars into the cave through the waterfall, sending water flying in all directions. As it rolls to a stop on the dais in the center of the room, the vehicle powers down. The dais rotates, allowing the car to be driven out again the next time. The top of the car opens. Batman exits the car and makes his way to the Batcomputer. Alfred Pennyworth is already there waiting for him. Batman is finishing a call over his comms.]

BATMAN: I've got it, Waller. So unless you have something important to add, don't call me again. [He hangs up.]

ALFRED: Good evening, sir. How are you tonight?

[Bruce removes his cowl. Underneath, his hair is a mess, partly due to being stuffed under the cowl and partly because it just looks unkempt. His eyes have dark rings around them; he clearly hasn't been sleeping well.]

BATMAN: [Sighs.] Alfred… have you turned on the news today?

ALFRED: No, sir, I have not. Why do you ask?

[Bruce taps some buttons on the Batcomputer. It instantly springs to life and brings up the latest news. The screen is suddenly covered in reports about the incident at the Coast City convention hall. The Joker's face appears in several of the newscasts. One report covers the death of Carol Ferris, CEO of Ferris Air. Various shots of the Justice League and the Joker are displayed all around.]

ALFRED: [Horrified.] My God.

BATMAN: He went too far this time, Alfred. Jordan is out for blood, A.R.G.U.S. wants answers, and all I can do is take him back to Arkham.

ALFRED: Sir. If I may. [Bruce looks at him quizzically.] Perhaps taking him back to Arkham wasn't the best idea.

BATMAN: What do you mean?

ALFRED: Commissioner Gordon can only keep putting criminals back in Arkham for so long before people start asking why there's no due process. He's doing his best to keep you safe, but you're not exactly making it easy for him. And when the Joker gets free so often—

BATMAN: Gordon knew the stakes.

ALFRED: But Gotham doesn't. Sir, I know this may be hard to hear, but perhaps you should let A.R.G.U.S. take the Joker.

BATMAN: Out of the question.

ALFRED: Sir, I'm sure Ms. Waller would take good care of him—

BATMAN: She would kill him!

ALFRED: [Yelling.] And maybe she should! [There is a long period of silence. Alfred takes a deep breath.] Sir, you may not want to hear this, but…it may very well be that the Joker cannot be saved. He's too far gone.

[Bruce is staring sadly at a photo of the Joker on the Batcomputer. He looks as if he has the weight of the world on his shoulders.]

ALFRED: You cannot save everyone.

BATMAN: [Long silence.] I know… But I have to try.

[Watchtower: Interior. Superman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, and Aquaman sit around a large table in the center of the room. They are all clearly in various states of anger and disquiet. There is a visibly empty seat at Superman's left, the spot where Batman would usually sit.]

SUPERMAN: [Nervously.] I, ah… I'm not really sure where to start.

GREEN LANTERN: You don't need to beat around the bush, Clark. We know why we're here.

FLASH: I don't! No one told me what's going on.

CYBORG: Same here. Clark just told me to show up. He didn't say why.

FLASH: And where's Bruce? Shouldn't he be here?

SUPERMAN: Bruce can't know about this. [Silence.] Listen to me. Regardless of what we decide here today, we need an agreement that we can't ever mention this to Bruce. If he found out, he'd never trust us again.

CYBORG: You're trying to keep secrets? From Batman? You know that never goes well right?

AQUAMAN: Victor. Not a word. If you can't keep a secret, then leave.

CYBORG: [Warily.] Okay. Fine. I understand.

AQUAMAN: [To Flash.] Barry?

FLASH: [After a moment of contemplation.] I'm still here. Talk.

SUPERMAN: [Somberly.] What happened in Coast City today was a tragedy…but it's not the first time something like this has happened. The Joker is a monster. We've known that for a long time. But we've been content to let Bruce handle him. He's always claimed that the Joker was his responsibility.

CYBORG: He is, isn't he? Joker mostly only ever threatens Gotham. That's Batman's territory.

WONDER WOMAN: Except he doesn't just stay in Gotham. Clearly, based on what happened today, Batman can't reel him in anymore. He's out of control.

FLASH: Okay, but it's not like Bruce is just dropping him in the street. He's taking him to Arkham.

SUPERMAN: Do you know how many times the Joker has escaped from Arkham Asylum? [Silence.] Exactly. No one does. I don't even think Bruce can keep track anymore. Joker breaks out of that place practically every other week. It's not a prison anymore; it's more like his playhouse.

WONDER WOMAN: Most of us have dealt with him at some point or another. The Joker is a madman. He doesn't think before he does anything, he just does it. And when he does, people get hurt.

SUPERMAN: Every time he gets out someone dies. It's no longer a question of if, but how many?

GREEN LANTERN: It has to be stopped.

FLASH: [Starting to catch on.] You can't be serious. [Pauses, then realizes that they are.] No way. This is crazy.

CYBORG: What? What are we talking about?

AQUAMAN: Bruce has a certain way of dealing with criminals. We know he means well, but he doesn't exactly, well—

FLASH: [Angrily.] He doesn't kill. [A long, uncomfortable pause.] Like Hal said. No sense beating around the bush.

CYBORG: [Shocked. To Superman.] You can't be serious.

SUPERMAN: [Sadly.] Look. We've all thought about it.

WONDER WOMAN: By letting the Joker live, Bruce is taking more lives than he's saving.

CYBORG: That's not fair.

GREEN LANTERN: How many people has Batman killed by letting that psychopath live?!

CYBORG: That is not fair! You can't put the lives that the Joker has taken on Bruce! It's not his fault!

GREEN LANTERN: Two-thousand! [Silence fills the room.] Two-thousand people. That's how many people were in the Coast City convention center. Two-thousand lives, snuffed out in an instant. Because he was bored.

AQUAMAN: It has to stop, Victor. The Joker will just keep killing until someone takes care of him.

FLASH: And that's us? We're not gods, Arthur. We don't have that kind of authority.

AQUAMAN: We're supposed to protect people, Barry. If we keep letting this monster run free, we are responsible for the people he kills.

CYBORG: No. I won't do this. I won't be a part of this.

SUPERMAN: Victor, Barry…we already decided.

FLASH: [Stunned.] What?

WONDER WOMAN: Clark, Arthur, and I have been talking about this for a while. And after what happened today, Hal agreed with us.

GREEN LANTERN: It's four versus two, guys. Majority rules.

CYBORG: Then why involve us at all? Why not keep us out of the loop?

WONDER WOMAN: We were hoping that the two of you might see reason. This affects all of us.

FLASH: And if we say no?

AQUAMAN: Then you can walk. We won't judge you either way.

SUPERMAN: Look. I'm not happy about this either. But this has to end. We need to understand that the Joker is never going to change.

CYBORG: Bruce isn't going to be happy about this.

AQUAMAN: Bruce isn't going to know. We're going to do this so quickly that he won't realize what happens until it's over.

FLASH: He'll never forgive us for this. Even if we explain ourselves…he'll never trust the League again.

WONDER WOMAN: That's a consequence we must live with.

SUPERMAN: [Quietly.] Along with everything else.

[There is a very, very long stretch of silence. The weight of what they are planning falls on their shoulders. Finally, Barry speaks up.]

FLASH: So that's it then? We're going to kill the Joker?

SUPERMAN: You don't have to be a part of this, Barry. We'll understand. Same goes for you, Vic.

FLASH: [Sighing.] No one else can make it in and out of Arkham as fast as me. I can go.

WONDER WOMAN: Cyborg?

CYBORG: [Pauses.] I'll stay. But only to try and talk to Bruce. I'm not going to hurt anyone.

GREEN LANTERN: Then it's decided.

[The scene changes to a television screen. The Watchtower conference room is being seen in a fish-eye view, as if by a fly on the wall. Pan to show Bruce, unmasked, sitting in front of the Batcomputer, watching the whole scene play out. He is not happy.]

GREEN LANTERN: Tomorrow morning, Barry will go get the Joker out of Arkham, and we can finally put this matter to rest. [Quietly, but still loud enough for Bruce to hear.] For Carol.

[Bruce presses a button, switching the feed to the Batcomputer's main screen, a large, metallic version of the Bat-symbol.]

BATMAN: Computer. Prepare the Ragnarok Protocol.

BATCOMPUTER: Understood, sir.

[Various mechanical arms begin moving around the Batcave. Features are being added and removed from the Batmobile, and various cases of tools are being opened upon a table near a heavily-armored Batsuit (think less Dark Knight Returns, more Arkham Origins).]

BATMAN: [Loudly.] Alfred. I'll be out tomorrow during the day. Cancel any appointments I might have.

ALFRED: [Enters the field of view.] But sir, you have a dinner meeting with the new head of Queen Industries.

BATMAN: It'll have to wait. [He presses a button on the Batcomputer. The feed shifts to a camera view of the inside of a padded cell. The Joker is sitting, wrapped in a straightjacket.] I have to have a talk with Mr. Allen.

[It is midday. The sky is overcast as the Flash approaches Arkham Asylum. His face is grim. More than anyone else, Barry is not comfortable with this situation. Still, he stealthily makes his way into the Asylum. He is moving at high speed, so fast that the guards barely notice him. He activates his comms.]

FLASH: This place is like a maze. How am I supposed to find him?

SUPERMAN: [Over comms.] Joker is typically kept in the most secure section of Arkham. Usually deep underground.

FLASH: [Chuckling.] I'm not sure the words "secure" and "Arkham" should ever be used in the same sentence unless they're proceeded by the word "not."

[The Flash reaches an elevator. Instead of pushing the button, Barry vibrates his molecules, passing through the doors into open elevator shaft. He then rotates his arms at high speeds as he falls, creating miniature whirlwinds that cushion his descent. Upon reaching the bottom, he vibrates through the elevator doors to find himself in the maximum security wing. He isn't running yet; he's examining the various doors. Many of the cells are specially designed: there's a large glass container with what appears to be Commissioner James Gordon inside, yet the sign reads, "Basil Karlo/Clayface. WARNING: Shapeshifter. Do not open under any circumstances." Another is a large cell with a pool in it. Barry can't see anything, but the sign reads "Waylon Jones/Killer Croc." Another is a glass cell with the window frozen over. Through the frost can barely be seen a pair of red eyes, watching Barry as he moves forward. The sign reads "Victor Fries/Mr. Freeze." The signs continue as such until he reaches a large door. The sign reads, "Unknown/The Joker. WARNING: EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. Do NOT open under any circumstances." Underneath this sign is a handwritten note stuck on with Scotch tape: "Good luck." There is no signature.]

FLASH: [Activating his comms.] I'm here.

SUPERMAN: [Over comms.] Okay. Now once you get him, you're going to have to get out of there quickly. Guards will be on you in an instant, and we can't have Bruce finding out about this.

FLASH: Please. Remember who you're talking to. [Barry opens the door slowly. He barely even notices that it is unlocked.] I'm the fastest man ali—

[A swift punch to the face causes Barry to land flat on his back. He spins upward quickly, just in time to see an armored boot colliding with his jaw. Barry hits the back wall, standing up.]

SUPERMAN: [Over comms.] Flash? Flash, what's going on? Can you hear—

[Bruce clicks a small device in his hand. There's an electrical hiss as the comm in Barry's ear shorts out. Barry looks at Bruce with fear. He's dressed in the armored Batsuit we saw earlier. Judging by his expression, he is beyond angry.]

[The room is a small concrete square. To the left is a long hallway, and at the end is a large, metal door with a keypad. The Joker's cell.]

FLASH: Batman.

[Bruce doesn't say anything. He throws a duo of Batarangs at the Flash. Barry uses the Speed Force, moving out of the way before they can hit him.]

BATMAN: [Word box.] Barry Allen is the fastest man alive. His brain is like a supercomputer. He thinks faster than I can move.

[However, Barry's looking at where they just landed, not at the third shuriken that is currently flying to his right. The Batarang lodges in his back, causing him to cry out.]

BATMAN: [Word box.] But that makes him overconfident. I can use that.

[Bruce goes to strike back. However, Barry is already recovering. He dodges Batman's attacks and lands some of his own. Flash hits him in the back, the stomach, the sides, everywhere. He unleashes a barrage of punches that, if he wasn't holding back so much, could've downed Wonder Woman. As it is, Bruce is merely stunned as he collapses to one knee.]

BATMAN: [Word box.] I'm definitely going to be bruised in the morning.

FLASH: Please don't do this. We're trying to help.

[Bruce is still silent. He pops back up with an uppercut, but Flash is already gone. He's behind Batman now, unleashing a powerful jab into his back. Bruce is hurled against the opposite wall with the kind of force that, if this were a cartoon, he'd leave an imprint in the concrete wall. As it is, he leaves spiderwebbing cracks along its surface.]

BATMAN: [Word box.] If not for this armored Batsuit, I'd likely have some broken ribs.

FLASH: Would you at least listen to me?

[Batman whips around and drives a Taser into Flash's neck, causing him to spasm violently. Barry activates the Speed Force, absorbing the residual electricity into his system. He grabs the Taser from Batman and crushes it in his fist. The pieces drop to the floor, shattered. Before he can react, Flash sends a powerful punch into Bruce's chest, knocking him on his rear. Flash attempts to use this opportunity to get the Joker. He rushes into the hallway, but he activates a mine set by Batman. The mine activates a freeze grenade (a la Arkham City) that freezes Barry from the neck down.]

FLASH: Ah! Cold, cold, cold.

[Flash begins to vibrate his legs, attempting to kick the ice apart. He is unaware that Bruce is slowly approaching from behind him.]

BATMAN: [Word box.] This is not going to be pleasant.

[Barry gets one leg out of the ice… only to have it promptly snatched by Bruce.]

BATMAN: [Word box.] Sorry about this, Barry.

[In one swift motion he bends Barry's leg a full 180° the wrong way. It's a full compound fracture, the bone protruding from the back of the knee. Barry is still screaming as Bruce shatters the ice, grabs his other leg, and does the same. Barry is roaring in pain as Bruce looks down at him with cold eyes.]

BATMAN: Stay down.

[Batman makes his way over to the Joker's cell. He punches in the numbers on the keypad; he knows them because he monitors this cell constantly. The door slides open, revealing the Joker, sitting quietly in the corner, still in a straightjacket. He looks up at Batman in surprise.]

JOKER: Batsy? What're you doing here?

[Batman pulls a small container from his pocket. He pulls the pin and tosses it in as a plume of colored gas fills the room. Bruce dons a gasmask that fits over the opening in his cowl. Joker and Flash begin to drift off to sleep.]

JOKER: [Slurring his words.] Oh, Batsy, if you wanted my number you coulda just aaaaaaasked. Didn't need to go allllllll Sublime on meeee…

[Joker drifts to sleep. Bruce picks up the Joker and throws him over his shoulder.]

[Cut to the upstairs. Batman is carrying the Joker out of Arkham and loading him into the Batmobile. It's a different one from last time, sleeker and less armored, resembling a more traditional sports car. In the distance, a red-and-blue blur can be seen in the sky. Batman gets in the car.]

BATMAN: Batmobile. Activate the Sonar Shield. Also initiate Cat-and-Mouse Protocol.

BATMOBILE: Understood, sir.

[The Batmobile activates a set of speakers set into the car's exterior. Together they create an anti-sonar shield that keeps the car from being heard.]

BATMAN: [Word box.] The sonar shield will keep Clark and Victor from hearing the Batmobile's engine.

[Elsewhere, various decoy Batmobiles spring to life in different parts of Gotham. They can be modeled after various established Batmobiles (Tim Burton's, Christopher Nolan's, TAS, Arkham series, etc.). The cars all race in different directions.]

BATMAN: [Word box.] And the decoys should help throw off everyone else.

[Batman races off into the city, and soon he is out of Gotham altogether.]

BATMAN: [Word box.] Please don't make me regret this.

[Superman watches from the sky as the various Batmobiles zoom away from Gotham or deep into the city. Frustrated, Clark activates his comm.]

SUPERMAN: This is Superman to Watchtower. We have a problem.

End Issue #1.