Batman: The Line

Issue #7: Epilogue

[The issue opens with a news report. A pretty news anchor reports over a series of video clips.]

VALE: I'm Vicki Vale with Gotham City News. Tonight, our top story. Gotham City is still reeling from the surprise death of one of its most infamous super criminals, the man known only as the Joker.

[Clips play of some of the Joker's most famous television appearances.]

VALE: The so-called Clown Prince of Crime was found gunned down in an alleyway late last week. Reports claim that he was killed by a rival looking to take over the Joker's territory. This comes nearly five weeks after the tragic bombing of the Coast City convention hall rumored to have been caused by the Joker himself.

[Clips of the aftermath of the Coast City Bombing play.]

VALE: Despite Gotham's reputation for having a high number of so-called "super-criminals" in the city, few inspired such fear or caused as much harm as the man called the Joker. Though police claim to be investigating his death, some have claimed that the GCPD is not interested in finding the culprit. Police Commissioner James Gordon had this to say.

[A clip of Gordon being interviewed on camera plays.]

GORDON: The GCPD is doing its best to find the perpetrator as we speak. Though personally I'd just like to shake his hand for a job well done. Whoever it was, he did us a favor by ridding this city of that laughing bastard.

[Cut back to Vale.]

VALE: Several groups have come out in support of the Joker in the wake of his murder.

[Cut to clips of groups of criminals in Joker makeup protesting in the streets and wreaking havoc.]

VALE: A group of former Joker henchmen, now referring to themselves as the "Jokerz," have been very vocal in coming out with their outrage at the Joker's death. One member had this to say:

[Cut to a man in makeup resembling the Joker's face. He speaks into a microphone.]

JOKERZ MEMBER: Look, I don' know about you, but I think it was the Batman. Those two have had it out for each other for years. If you wanna find whoever did the Joker in, I'd look for the Bat. I know I will.

[Cut back to Vale.]

VALE: In spite of the Jokerz' rioting, crime has been at an all-time low since the Joker's passing. Some have attributed this to the criminals' respect for the death of the infamous Clown Prince, while others assert that it is due to increased fears of facing the same fate as the Joker. Whatever the case, I think we should all be thankful that, for the first time in a very long time, Gotham has a moment to catch its breath. I'm Vicki Vale, Gotham City News.

[Cut to Wayne Manor. Bruce is standing in his bedroom, gazing out the window. He is dressed in simple clothes; he almost could pass for a normal citizen. Alfred walks into the room.]

ALFRED: Sir, our guests have all arrived. They are waiting for us downstairs.

[Bruce descends the stairs along with Alfred. In the living room a group of people are waiting for him: Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Barbara Gordon are all there. Dick and Jason sit on one couch. Tim sits in an armchair. Barbara is, obviously, in her wheelchair. Bruce walks into the room and takes a seat in a chair near the fireplace.]

BRUCE: Thank you all for coming. It's been a chaotic time these past few days. I think we should all talk about it.

[The partners are silent. Bruce continues.]

BRUCE: It's no secret that the media is in a frenzy over news of the Joker's death. A couple of you have reached out to ask me whether or not it's a hoax or not, and that's understandable. It's not unlike the Joker to pull a bait-and-switch on us and make it seem like he's died when he's still alive. So let me be very clear: the Joker is dead. I know this for a fact. Not because I inspected the body, not because I did DNA tests, and not because I performed the autopsy myself. I know because I killed him.

[The reaction is nothing short of shock. Tim jumps to his feet. Jason stares in shock. Barbara and Dick can't talk fast enough. Alfred and Bruce sit quietly. The following sentences are all spoken in unison.]

TIM: What have you done? Do you even realize what kind of consequences this will have?

BARB: No way. This has to be some kind of a prank. I don't believe it.

DICK: After everything you went through, after everything you gave up, you still went through with it?

[Bruce interrupts all of them.]

BRUCE: Stop. [They fall silent.] Let me explain. Please, sit back down. [Tim takes a seat. Everyone looks deeply uncomfortable.] I need to explain myself. Over a month ago the Joker detonated a bomb in the Coast City convention hall, killing over two-thousand people. I quickly apprehended the Joker, but in that time the Justice League came to a decision. In a four-to-two vote, the League decided that it was time to eliminate the Joker to prevent further tragedy. I disagreed, believing that it was unethical for the League to decide the fate of another man's life. So I broke the Joker out of Arkham and drove him cross-country to find J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter. I hoped that he could use his telepathy to heal the Joker's mind, but it failed. Joker escaped, and I lost him for a month while I was detained by the Justice League. When I found him, he was worse than ever. What he had done… Let's just say it was unforgivable. I realized that I was only left with a few options: return the Joker to Arkham, where he would inevitably be found by the League and killed; let him go, and risk him killing even more people left unchecked; or the third option, which was to do it myself and spare the League from doing it and compromising their morality. So I did. I killed the Joker. It wasn't an accident, and it wasn't staged. I put a bullet in his head and I delivered the news to James Gordon myself.

[There is a moment of silence as Bruce allows them to process what he's just said. The group doesn't get a chance to speak before Bruce continues.]

BRUCE: When I became Batman, I established a rule for myself, one that above all else I would not allow myself to break. I promised that I would never take another man's life. It's been one of the defining tenants of what makes Batman. One week ago I broke that rule. And while I would do the same thing again in a heartbeat, I broke my most important rule. Because of this, I have decided that I am no longer fit to carry on the mantle of Batman.

BARB: [Shocked.] Bruce!

BRUCE: I put a lot of thought into this, and I believe that Tim should carry on the Batman legacy.

TIM: You're joking.

BRUCE: I'm not. Dick and Jason have made names for themselves as Nightwing and Red Hood. Barbara is invaluable as Oracle. You're the one, Tim.

TIM: Bruce, I'm sorry, but I'm not doing it.

BRUCE: What?

TIM: Bruce, listen. I'm as surprised as anyone else about all of this. But this doesn't make you any less fit to be Batman.

BRUCE: No. You're wrong.

TIM: I'm not! If any of the rest of us were put in that situation, we would've done the same. Bruce, you have gone above and beyond what would be expected of Batman. You can't blame yourself for this. The Joker—

BRUCE: Was a person. Despite everything, the Joker was still a human being. And I took his life. I broke my rule. So I'm passing it on to you, Tim. I can't imagine anyone else doing a better job.

TIM: No. [Tim stands and walks out of the living room toward the door.]

BRUCE: Tim, wait!

TIM: You are Batman, Bruce. No one else. And I'm not going to let you throw this all away because you're beating yourself up over this.

[Tim walks out of the manor. Bruce is stunned.]

[Cut to the Watchtower a couple of days later. Bruce is sitting at a window overlooking the Earth. He's not dressed as Batman, but rather he wears comfortable civilian clothes. He's sitting silently as Green Lantern approaches him from behind.]

GREEN LANTERN: I owe Barry ten bucks. You really are out of costume.

BRUCE: I'm done, Hal. I've hung it up.

[Hal sits in a chair next to him.]

GREEN LANTERN: Clark told me. And I'll tell you what I told him. That's bullshit.

BRUCE: Hal—

GREEN LANTERN: Bruce, shut up. Seriously. You are one of the most stubborn people I know, but you're not stupid. You really think that you can just hang it up? Gotham needs a hero.

BRUCE: Gotham has heroes. In the years since I became Batman, dozens of other heroes have stepped up to defend the city. It's not just me anymore. Gotham doesn't need me. It hasn't for a while.

GREEN LANTERN: That's a load of crap. The city would fall to pieces without a Batman. They need you.

BRUCE: I can't, Hal. I broke my rule. I can't let Batman become that person. So I'm done.

[The two stare out the window into space.]

GREEN LANTERN: Does that mean you're leaving the League too?

BRUCE: I don't know yet. I hadn't thought that far ahead.

GREEN LANTERN: Bruce Wayne not thinking ahead? What strange world am I living in?

[The two share a brief moment of laughter. They fall silent as they keep looking out the window.]

BRUCE: Hell of a view.

GREEN LANTERN: Sure is.

[Cut to the GCPD, night. Jim Gordon is standing next to the Batsignal, but it's not on. He's smoking as he stands in the dark.]

BRUCE: Jim.

[Gordon turns. Batman is standing on the roof.]

GORDON: I almost thought you wouldn't show.

BRUCE: I told you that I'm not doing this anymore. I didn't even want to put the suit back on tonight.

GORDON: I know. But this is important. She was insisting that she talk to you. Considering the circumstances I thought it was only fair.

BRUCE: Okay. Send her out.

[Gordon nods, then goes into the stairwell that leads to the main building. A moment later a woman walks out of the door. She's dressed in a red leather jacket and black leggings. She also carries a black purse on her arm. Despite not wearing her makeup or costume, she is unmistakable.]

HARLEY: Hi, Bats.

BRUCE: Hello, Harleen.

[Harley chuckles slightly.]

HARLEY: You never stopped calling me that, even after I stopped using that name myself. [Harley begins rummaging through her purse.] I know Mistah J and I weren't really close anymore, but he gave me something a few weeks ago. He said to give it to you in a couple weeks. He seemed… different. I can't really explain how. But he was really insistent that you get this.

[Harley pulls from her purse an envelope. It's green, and in black lettering it reads "Batman" on the front.]

HARLEY: Here. [She hands the letter to Bruce.] Take care of yourself, Bats. Goodbye.

[Harley goes to walk off, but Bruce grabs her arm suddenly.]

BRUCE: Harley… I'm sorry about what happened.

[Harley turns back, and she gives Bruce one last weak smile.]

HARLEY: I'm not.

[And with that Harley walks out of Bruce's life. Bruce waits a moment, then opens the letter. It is handwritten, and the handwriting is smooth and clean. As the letter is read, certain scenes play out.]

LETTER: [Word box.] Dear Bruce,

[Bruce gets into the Batmobile and begins to drive back to Wayne Manor.]

LETTER: [Word box.] I'd like to start off by apologizing for anything I've done or might do, whatever it may be. You know better than anyone how fractured my mind is.

[Bruce drives past a group of Jokerz that are terrorizing a young woman. Upon seeing the Batmobile, they scatter.]

LETTER: [Word box.] As the days go by my mind falls apart more and more. It's getting harder to keep the dark thoughts in check. What's worse is that some days I don't want them to.

[The Batmobile drives into the waterfall hiding the entrance to the Batcave.]

LETTER: [Word box.] I know that you tried to help me. And it means so much that someone I don't even truly know cares enough to try and save my life despite all the harm I've caused to others.

[The Batmobile parks in the cave. Bruce steps out and goes to the Batcomputer.]

LETTER: [Word box.] I've already realized that once I'm caught I'm going to die. Whether it's by the hands of ARGUS or the Justice League.

[Bruce sits at the computer and removes his cowl. We only see the back of his head.]

LETTER: [Word box.]Despite all of that, I'd really it rather be you that does it. Because, one way or another, you're the only real friend I have in this world.

[Bruce opens the computer file on the Joker.]

LETTER: [Word box.] Whatever happens, the week you and I spent on that road trip was the best time of my life. Whether you think so or not, you really have been my best friend, and I couldn't think of a better way to spend my last days.

[Bruce changes the file status from "Active" to "Closed."]

LETTER: [Word box.] Sincerely, Jack

[Bruce puts his head in his hands and lays his head down on the desk as the Batcomputer switches off.]

[Cut to a hospital room. A young boy is sleeping in a hospital bed. Bruce enters the room in his civilian clothes accompanied by a nurse.]

BRUCE: Is he conscious?

NURSE: Oh, yes. He's just sleeping.

[Bruce walks to the child's bed and sits in the chair. After a moment the boy's eyes flutter open and he looks quizzically at Bruce.]

BRUCE: Hello, Eric. My name is Bruce Wayne. It's a pleasure to meet you.

ERIC: Hi. Nice to meet you.

BRUCE: I heard about you and wanted to come and see you. You've had a really tough time of it recently.

[Eric doesn't say anything, but he looks miserable. Bruce goes on.]

BRUCE: I don't know if you know this, but I've taken a few children under my care before. I know it's a little soon to start thinking about it, but if you want to I'd be more than happy to add another person to our little family.

[Eric hesitates, then smiles a little.]

ERIC: Sure. I'll think about it.

[Bruce smiles back and stands up.]

BRUCE: Get well soon, Eric.

ERIC: Hey, Mr. Wayne? You've met Batman before, right? I know it's a longshot, but if you see him, could you tell him I said thank you?

BRUCE: Sure, Eric. I'll be sure to tell him if I see him.

[He leaves the hospital room alone.]

[Cut to the Batcave. Bruce is standing in front of the glass case of Batsuits. He stares at the one he wore on this last outing. It is still ripped and shredded in various places from his battles. Alfred walks up behind him.]

ALFRED: I thought you told me you weren't coming back down here again, sir.

BRUCE: Alfred. Can you be honest with me for a moment?

ALFRED: I'm never anything but, sir.

BRUCE: Am I doing the right thing here? Hanging it up?

ALFRED: Take a seat, Bruce. [Bruce goes to the Batcomputer and sits. Alfred stands near him.] When you initially told me you wanted to dress u0p as a giant bat and beat criminals, I thought you'd lost your mind. [They laugh for a moment.] But then I saw you in action. And I realized that Batman wasn't some fantasy. Batman is an idea, a symbol of hope for this city. And in the midst of Gotham being terrorized by living scarecrows, plant women, and, God-forbid, psychopathic clowns, Batman has always been a constant beacon of light for this city that shines through the darkness.

BRUCE: And what about the Joker?

ALFRED: You know I never made my opinion about that maniac secret. In fact, put in your shoes, I think I may very well have put a bullet in that monster's head a long time ago. But you… you never gave up on him. Despite every hell that the Joker committed, you always held out hope that he could be saved. If you felt that it was the right thing to do, I can't imagine that it was done in vain.

[Bruce hesitates for a moment. Then, after thinking about it, he fires up the Batcomputer. As it springs to life, a news alert appears on-screen. Bruce opens it. Vicki Vale appears on the screen.]

VALE: Breaking news. A group of gang members from the newly formed Jokerz gang is holding hostages at the Robbins Enterprises charity ball. GCPD is en route to the scene.

[Cut to the charity ball. Various thugs in Joker-esque makeup are holding the guests at gunpoint. One of them, the leader of the group, has made himself up to look exactly like the Joker, with white facepaint, dyed green hair, and red lipstick. He's holding out a brown sack into which a woman is putting her wallet.]

JOKERZ LEADER: Come on, come on! Put the money in the bag already.

JOKERZ THUG 1: Hey, boss! This guy's not cooperating.

[The leader walks over to find a well-dressed man defiantly glaring up at him.]

MAN: I will not be intimidated by cheap Joker rip-offs. Your so-called "hero" is dead. We're not afraid of you.

JOKERZ LEADER: Rip-offs? We're no rip-offs, buddy. We're the genuine article.

MAN: You're a bunch of wannabes in clearance-sale Halloween getups. You're no Jokers.

JOKERZ LEADER: Really? 'Cuz the way I see it, the Joker was all about chaos and death. [He presses the barrel of his rifle to the man's head.] Now, what would you call offing a room full of hostages?

BATMAN: A mistake.

[Batman swings into the leader's head, sending him flying across the floor. The other thugs can barely react before he hurls out a volley of Batarangs, knocking their guns from their hands. They don't get a chance to pick them back up before Bruce is on them, beating the thugs unconscious with a barrage of punches and kicks. One of the thugs tries to run, taking off deeper into the building with his bag of cash. Bruce helps the defiant man to his feet.]

BATMAN: Stay here.

[He chases after the thug. After a moment the thug hits a dead-end. He whirls to find Batman at the end of the hall, staring him down.]

BATMAN: Drop it.

[The thug pulls a pistol from his jacket and begins firing wildly. Bruce nimbly dodges the bullets and in one move simultaneously breaks the thug's arm and wrenches the gun from his grip. The thug backs into the corner.]

THUG: Do it then. Kill me. Everyone knows you were the one that offed the Joker. So do it. I ain't scared of you.

[Bruce hesitates for a moment, then drops the gun to the floor. The thug looks relieved… until Bruce grabs his head and slams it into the wall. He leans in close to the thug's ear and whispers.]

BATMAN: I'm not going to kill you. That would make your pain end too quickly. I want you to remember this moment, and remember what it feels like to have your life put in the hands of someone else, to feel small. Because that is the same feeling you put on these people tonight. Think about that while you're rotting in Blackgate. [Bruce then knocks the thug unconscious.]

[Cut to the exterior of the building as the GCPD is loading the Jokerz into the back of the squad cars. Bruce walks past Jim Gordon on his way to the Batmobile. Gordon turns and catches him.]

GORDON: I thought that you said you were hanging this up?

BATMAN: I had a change of heart.

GORDON: [Smiling.] Well, damn. I thought I'd finally be rid of you. Guess not.

[Bruce smiles and walks back to the Batmobile. He climbs inside and begins to drive away from the scene. As he does, we get one final shot of the interior of the Batmobile. On the dashboard is a small object. The final shot zooms in on the object to show that it is a Batman action figure.]

The End.