BATMAN: NEW GENERATION

THE STORY 

Many years went by in Gotham City since the last sight of Batman; Alfred, aunt Harriet, Commissioner Gordon and Chief O’Hara died, same as The Joker, The Penguin and most of the archvilliains who the Dynamic Duo fighted.

After many arguments with the new District Attorney (former Robin, Dick Grayson) and Commissioner Barbara Gordon (former Batgirl) concerning what they now consider obsolete and brutal crimefighting methods (specially nowadays, with the main problem –corruption- installed in the higher spheres of the city), Bruce Wayne it’s recluded in his mansion like a modern Howard Hughes and hasn’t answered a call nor going out in years.

Once magnificent Wayne Manor looks now as a impregnable fortress that no one dares to come near. But inside time hasn’t passed, because the house (like Bill Gate’s home) looks like it has a life of its own: there’s a sophisticated computer named "Alfred", that not only takes care of Wayne Manor’s only inhabitant but it’s also able to play chess, read Shakespeare aloud and provide advice (and acid remarks) with the voice of the late butler, even corporizing him by means of the use of realistic holograms. Batcave’s exit has been blocked by an explosion caused by The Batman itself.

Inside his fortress, Bruce Wayne (wearing a dark blue velvet robe and with long, silvery hair, matching his thick beard) has many things to think about, specially about the fact that maybe his old comrades are right and he has become and old and bitter fanatic, justice-obsessed and law-despiser. He also regets to have missed the chance of having a family with now reformed Selina Kyle (The Catwoman), who tired of waiting for him married a rich arab sheik, having with him a beautiful daughter.

Back to Gotham, everything looks calm, unitl the supposedly reformed and actual succesful bussinessman Edward Nigma (The Riddler) starts a perfectly planned revenge against Bruce Wayne, that will provide him enough funds to unleash the most powerful crime wave that Gotham has ever seen.

The surprisingly new position and lifestyle of the once Riddler came after he left prison for good behaviour; he managed to attract and marry Lisa Carson, the heiress of a fortune similar to Bruce Wayne’s. But she has a secret in her life: young Bruce, her son who’s the fruit of a passionate night (more than milk and cookies) with the millonaire.

Through many years Mr. Nigma has derivated funds from his wife’s fortune to his own secret organization, aiming to train the sons of the supervilliains defeated by the Dynamic Duo. That’s why Bruce Jr., after several arguments with his family regarding the strange behaviour of his stepfather, left home at an early age to travel around the world, training himself physically and intelectually in the hope of discovering someday the family secrets surrounding him.

The succesful District Attorney Richard Grayson lives a delicate situation at home because Dick, his teenage son, shows signs of rebellion and seems that also spends a lot of time chating online with his old and admired "grandpa" Bruce.

The ex library administrator, now Commissioner Gordon, has to stand too many attacks and dirty tricks from the inside of her own department, provoked by infiltrated elements (commanded by Chief Hill) coming from the dark ranks of The Riddler, but despite this constant attempts to force her resign to her position, she’s supported by all the honest officers, specially of the Purple Brigade, a force of female motorbike agents created and trained by herself, commanded by temperamental sgt. Betty Kane.

Lisa Carson suffers two tremendous blows: she discovers the obscure financial maneuvres that E. Nigma has been made for years leaving her at the verge of bankruptcy, and a t the same time his doctor diagnoses her a terminal disease that will kill her in a very short time. Dejected, she calls his son to make him return immediatly, without telling him the truth about his husband. Desperate, Bruce Jr. flies from a remote asiatic country to Gotham City. The Riddler, who was listening the conversation all the time, forces Lisa to collaborate with his plans, otherwise he’ll kill young Bruce.

Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne gets an unexpected phone call that he can’t ignore: Selina tells him that she’s coming back to the country to introduce in society her daughter and take control of some of the affairs of her now late husband. This time the millionaire leaves his reclussion: cutting his long hair and beard and dressing sharply, he comes to a romantic date with Selina in an elegant and discreet night club, where an attractive, feline-like afroamerican woman sings a sensual melody. The night is a success, cause both finds that the old magic between them is still alive; more than twenty years hadn’t had any effect in their ardent attraction and with only a glance, the old flame starts burning again. Actually, it never stopped burning.

After the dinner both went out in a lonely stroll; distracted by the tender chat, they’re not aware that their steps brought them to a dangerous neighbourhood of the city where they’re robbed by three thugs. One of them starts jerking of Selina’s pearl necklace until it brokes; Bruce stands petrified, living again the horrible moment of his childhood that made him become the Batman, but the quick reaction of Selina disarming one of the guys brings him back to reality. After sweeping the floor with the three thieves, remains silent, staring at the eyes of Selina, understanding that there’s something deeper going on, other than their mutual attraction. Taking her by the hand, they get lost in the dark of the night, before the amazed faces of the now tied and dazed burglars, that still dont’t understand exactly what happened and what did that mature couple with them...

During his return ripo, Bruce Jr. meets Rhoda, daughter of Selina and a mutual attraction between them is born immediately. But his mind is with his mother at the moment, so they interchange phone numbers with a future meeting in mind. 

When Bruce Jr. arrives to Gotham, he finds his mother in bed, living her last moments, in the company of her doctor and her husband who stands behind young Bruce, aiming at him with a pistol that only Lisa can see. As her last wish, she tells her son "I want you to promise me that no matter what happens, you’ll join your father in his crusade", emphasizing the last words. Lisa expires, looking at a frame with a family picture on a wall of her bedroom.

Bruce Jr. fails to understand the last message of his mother and devastated by pain, accepts to help sere the interests of The Riddler, who as a first step forces him to sabotear one of Wayne’s enterprises, his main business enemy. To avoid being recognized and being related in any way to him, The Riddler tricks him into using a Batman costume. That same night something goes wrong and after Bruce sabotages the factory, the vigilance cameras shows his image; at the same time, these are intercepted by a TV channel that makes the news public: Batman is back as a dangerous terrorist. The world is shaken with the images.

The respected executive Edward Nigma talks to the media in a very polite and quiet manners, remarking at the same time that the Caped Crusader has been only nocive to Gotham City since his very first appearance.

When Bruce Wayne watches these images on TV rests speechless, not because of Mr. Nigma statements nor for the sabotage act, but of the fact that the Batman he sees on screen looks like him, moves like him and also shows his same cleverness dodging the different security barriers, traps and devices set to stop anybody who dares to get inside the factory. By a moment he doubts his own sanity and considers the fact of being himself, acting inconsciously. The furious calls of the Commisioner and the District Attorney takes him out his abstraction and decides, for the first time in years, descend to the Batcave. Once there and after checking out his files, he discovers that no known criminal possess those abilities: this time he faces a formidable opponent, apparently very hard to beat.

Meanwhile The Riddler is more than happy: with a single blow he has managed to damage Bruce Wayne and shame Batman, but he plans to go further kidnapping Selina’s daughter, demanding one of the higher ransoms of crime’s history. Aware of the new born relationship going on between Bruce Jr. and Rhoda, The Riddler conceals a radio transmissor in Bruce’s clothes and sends the villiains sons in a last graduation excercise: to kidnap Rhoda and eliminate Bruce Jr. in the process.

The new supervilliains are more than excited with this debut and every one of them decides to work alone to show who’s best. The Riddler is puzzled and curious looking at his puppils taking the best of their weapon arsenal, while Joker Jr. only takes and old truncheon, then walking happily and peacefully to the crime’s scene.

Rhoda meets with Bruce Jr. in a crowded discotheque with the idea of make him have a good time; last days he looks worried and sad. She dresses seductively with a tight black catsuit founded in her mother’s wardrobe. But just when romance seems to be on the right track, a big explosion destroys the discotheque’s entrance and when the smoke clears it lets everybody see there the mighty figure of Prince Tut, demanding the inconditional surrendering of Bruce Jr., of course after giving Rhoda first.

But, Bruce Jr. emphathically denies to submit to Prince Tut demands and covered by the people running and screaming, he takes Rhoda by the hand and thanks to the amazing athletic abilities that both of them have (they’re surprised to see what the other can do) they jump, climb and reach a window leaving an enraged Price Tut behind.

The couple doesn’t know the fact that the clever Mr.Penguin has surreounded the place and so he takes them by surprise. The subsequent fight is hard and despite being outnumbered by the thugs, Bruce and Rhoda manage to defeat the villiains and then run away… only to be caught and freezed in a trap designed by Lady Freeze, who tolds them "I knew I would caught you tired after fighting all those fools!".

The Cold Queen is very proud of her success, but in a moment of distraction is betrayed by Joker Jr., who jumps out of a garbage can just like a living jack-in-the-box and leaves her cold with his truncheon. With a minimum effort he appropiates the prized trophy and mocks the viliainess, repeating sarcastically her last words...

Inside the flying vehicle of Lady Freeze, Joker Jr. calls The Riddler to tell him that the mission is accomplished. Bruce Jr. –pretending to be inconscious- hear it all, but The Joker throws him to the cold waters of the Gotham Bay before he can react and after that takes Rhoda to his hideout. In the meanwhile, the cold waters doesn’t kill Bruce but helps him get free from his ice manacles and reaches the coast swimming desperately.

Mad with fury, he storms his mother’s house hoping to find The Riddler there, but the house is empty. At his mother’s bedroom, Bruce Jr. is dominated by anger and smashes the family picture against a wall. Beneath the remains of the frame there’s a CD. He takes that and when he runs it in the computer Lisa’s image appears, telling him what happens with Nigma and also the truth about his real father (who ignores Bruce Jr.’s existence), giving so a new dimension to the meaning of his promise.

When the news of the kidnapping are aired by TV, the transmission’s interrupted with the supervilliains image surrounding Rhoda (tied and gagged but with proud and defiant attitude before the evildoers); a voice in off demands a high ransom and specifies how the money should be delivered.

At Wayne’s Manor, Bruce receives Selina who desperately ask him help to find Rhoda as The Batman. To Selina’s surprise, Bruce refuses telling her that The Batman doesn’t exist anymore, only as an outlaw and that the only way he can help is connecting her directly with Commissioner Gordon. Selina, mad at Bruce’s words, yells at his face that if he would have a child he’d understand that there’s nothing and nobody that could stop her, and leaves slamming the door. After a moment’s hesitation, Bruce goes after her, afraid of losing her again.

Mounted in his motorbike, Bruce Jr. arrives to the doors of Wayne’s Manor only to see two cars running away at full speed and so missing his father; at the last second and with a dangerous stunt, he manages to get inside the house’s park just before the doors close. Inside the house, the computers analyze the intruder’s level of dexterity when he goes through the dangerous traps: these destroys his motorbike but he reaches the house’s door, falling exhausted at the stairs, where several laser guns are pointing at him. When everything seems lost, a mechanical arm takes a blood sample from him and analyze it in a matter of seconds. To his amazement the doors open and the distinguished voice of "Alfred" welcomes him: "Master, the DNA exam authorizes you to get into this house with no restrictions. I’m here to serve you".

Back in Gotham City, strange things happens at police’s station: the internal war is at its peak and Commissioner Gordon is incarcerated when some photos showing her accepting money from Joker Jr. appears in the media. Sgt. Kane stoles the evidence and discovers that they’re fake, using digital technology. Kane visits Barbara in her cell. She instructs her only to trust Grayson but also Bruce Wayne, who should be informed of what’s happening. She understand Gordon’s trust in the District Attorney but doesn’t get what has to be the millonaire in this matter. However she’s determined to obey her orders, gets into her motorbike and ran off at full speed, without noticing a patrol following behind, trying to eliminate her. Richard Grayson gets a call from corrupt Chief Hill where he informs what’s happening with Gordon and also communicates him the summary execution of Kane because of her "subversive" deeds; Grayson is infuriated and forbids him to carry out those acts, but Hill hangs the phone without listening to him.

Young Dick ask his father to end this charade, but Grayson says he’s not one to act outside the law. When Dick listens to this he yells he know who could do something and runs to his bedroom. Grayson shouts "Holy internet!" and standing before the secret wardrobe where he keeps his weapons and his old Robin’s suit, he opens that to check it out and mutters "Bruce, I only hope you’ll do the right thing". When he closes the doors of the wardrobe, he doesn’t notice that part of the cape remains outside.

Back to Wayne’s Manor, Bruce Jr. it’s speechless before so many revelations made by "Alfred": He’s not only Bruce Wayne’s son, but also The Batman’s!! Thinking that Alfred is al living person hidden somewhere in the house, he asks him to show himself, and the supercomputer answers: "I’m afraid that the proper word that describes best my actual state would be ‘demised’, but don’t let this discourage you, young master: I can provide you with all the help you may need and, with your permission, some advice too".

An emergency call breaks the following silence: it’s Dick, who’s searching The Batman with urgency. At first he’s puzzled with the presence of Bruce Jr. but "Alfred" tells him the news about the "intruder"’s identity. An immediate chemistry’s born between them and both decide to help each other, though Bruce Jr. think that the right opportunity to get into action hasn’t come yet. Without time to wait for his father, Bruce Jr. picks several weapons from the Batcave and runs to rescue Rhoda, taking one of the cars and instructing "Alfred" to notify Wayne all the last happenings.

Before Betty arrives at Grayson’s house a patrol intercepts her trying to kill her, but a mysterious white van helps her by throwing nails over the road, blasting the patrol’s tires.

Bruce Jr. arrives to The Riddler hideout, but before breaking in he decides to carry on the promise he made to his mother and dresses again with Batman’s clothes. When he’s in, he’s trapped by The Riddler troops, and the criminal is surprised to see who’s been caught; nevertheless, he exhibes him before the young evildoers as a new trophy avoiding to reveal the identity of this new Batman and naming Joker Jr. as his right hand as a reward for the success of his mission, awakening the other’s envy and anger.

When Betty reaches Grayson’s house, he let her in immediately, afraid of someone watching her. They start talking nervously about the chaotic situation; hidden among the shadows, Dick Jr. listens to the chat and suddently discovers the yellow fabric trapped in his father’s forbidden wardrobe doors. He opens it and realizes that the right moment Bruce Jr. asked him to wait for has just arrived...

Meanwhile Bruce brought Selina back to the Manor and when they arrive, the signals left by Bruce Jr. makes him believe someone’s inside the house so he picks an iron from the smashed motorbike as a weapon and gets into the house, but the voice of "Alfred" stops him: "I think it’ll be better for you to grab a seat, Master Bruce. I have to tell you how the family has unexpectedly become…….. bigger".

At Riddler’s hideout, Chief Hill makes a toast with all the villiains for their "promising and powerful union", but despite this happy atmosphere a reek of hate and revenge floats in the air. Bruce Jr. notices it and starts to sow more animosity among them. Joker Jr. tries to hit him in the belly but Bruce Jr. dodges the blow, and the Joker’s fist smashes against the Batbelt buckle. The villiains gets to laugh before Joker’s screams of pain, but they don’t know that this action has activated a microtransmissor concealed in the buckle.

Over a roof, Dick wears Robin’s suit walking nervously and hitting his fist against his other hand’s palm without knowing well what to do or where to start when a light shines in his belt. Pressing a button in the buckle he listens to the voice of Bruce Jr. trying to communicate with somebody, so he answers "It’s me, Robin"; Robin? asks Bruce Jr., puzzled. "Alright I’m Dick, but you’ll have to see what I’m wearing" answers Robin, and Bruce replies "I hope you don’t get too surprised when you see me". Am I losing something?" asks Rhoda, curious and impatient. Bruce looks at her like saying "I’ll tell you later" and Rhoda sighs, contrariated. Bruce tells Dick that they’re in Carson’s Company Depot in Dozier Ave. and Fitzsimons St., instructs him to ask for help and don’t come near cause it’s very dangerous: "Rhoda and I are surrounded by supervilliains", but Robin pretends he cannot hear: "I’m sorry Bruce, I’m losing you, see you later".

Betty and Grayson decide they can’t remain sitting there so the prosecutor goes to his secret wardrobe to pick some weapons, and discovers that Robin’s uniform is missing, finding a note instead. Before he can’t react a friendly and polite voice comes out Betty’s radio, telling him his son’s whereabouts.

Back in Wayne’s Manor, Selina is looking for Bruce around the house, because he left immediately after he learned about his son’s existence. "Alfred’s" voice guides her downstairs, to the Batcave, where she finds Bruce thinking before the multiple screens of the supercomputer. What can we do?" she asks without getting any answer. When she touches Bruce’s shoulder, he turns back and look at her with a new light in his eyes and his face just shaved. Bruce smiles enigmatically and says "We, I don’t know… but a cat and a bat, certainly".

At the party in the villiain’s headquarters, Chief Hills sits at Riddler’s throne saying "with our enemies out of the picture and the ransom we’ll get for Rhoda we’ll be king of the city", and The Riddler answers with a fierce smile "The only king of this city it’s ME!", pressing at the same time a hidden button that electrocutates Hill. They throw away the body and the arrogant Riddler takes his place back. Joker Jr. reaches the button and start pressing it frantically, but The Riddler says "It’s OK Jr., that button can be used only once" and both laughs histerically but looking each other with hate.

Robin reaches the alley behind the depot where Bruce y Rhoda are prisoners. After several and failed attempts to use the batarang and the batrope, he decides to climb by his own means, doing it with an amazing agility. Once in the roof, he looks through a skylight and sees Bruce and Rhoda tied and the villiains distracted. Forcing the window with the batarang, he opens it and slides inside, reaching Bruce’s back while this one mutters to him "I think that weapon was made for other purposes"; suddendly a warden discovers the Boy Wonder, who instinctively throws the batarang at him knocking him off. He looks playfully at Bruce, as an answer.

With Robin’s help, Bruce Jr. y Rhoda are free and after battling the criminals they reach the streets. The Riddler shouts "Damn it, this ruins my plans, everybody to the war machines, destroy the city until you find them!!!". Every villiains climbs to their own devastating machine and tearing down the walls start their destructive raid across Gotham. The Riddler in person guide the group of criminals, without bothering to pretend anything anymore.

Grayson follows Betty to the place Barbara Gordon is prisoner; when they arrive, all weapons point at Sgt. Kane but Grayson shows his authority, not only stopping Betty’s execution but releasing Barbara too. The news of the attack in the city came to their ears and everybody heads there without losing a minute.

Meanwhile, Bruce Jr. asks Robin to run away from them to avoid danger and remain as a secret weapon. Robin climbs to another roof and using the batradio guides Bruce y Rhoda in the battle. From heaven a whirlybat throws a bag with a parachute with the Bat symbol to the new Boy Wonder. Robin opens it and inside he finds some powerful explosives. At the same time, the sealed exit of the Batcave explodes to smithereens and a new and impressive Batmobile runs like a giant bat out of hell.

In the street the young Batman and Rhoda fight fiercelythe, villiains and their thugs commanded by a Riddler completely frantic, seeing his victory at hand’s reach. Grayson, Barbara, Kathy and her purple brigade arrives to the place with some of the police officers loyals to Gordon and they join the fight. From the roof, Robin throws the bat explosives with his sling, damaging seriously the tank-like war machines. Caught by euphoria he lowers his guard, and The Joker Jr. starts getting near him.

The Batmobile makes its way stopping in the middle of the battlefield. Everybody stops fighting and a sepulchral silence reigns til the vehicle doors open: there’s no Bruce and Selina but Batman and Catwoman. The Dark Knight wears his battle armour and his terrifying presence makes everybody watch him in awe; Catwoman is as beautiful and lethal as ever.

Over a mountain of debris, Joker jr. grabs Robin for the neck to strangle him, but an explosion makes the soil fall below his feet. The new Boy Wonder looks around and see his father, armed with the old smoking Batzooka saying "I’m not gonna let anybody laying a finger over my son!".

Both Batmen battle together against The Riddler forces, like they were enjoying it; Selina watches her daughter fighting as a proud mother, saying "watch my baby fight, isn’t she beautiful?", while kicking a villiain. Bruce Jr. answers "just like her mother"; Selina tells Batman "Honey, I start to like your kid as a son-in-law". Grayson complains at his son for disobeying him but when Robin saves him from a bullet he start "teaching" him, using the evildoers as an example.

Batman looks for The Riddler and shouts "I’m coming at you!", throwing away the villiains in his way as if they were flies. Catwoman attacks Lady Freeze and leaves her al most nakes with her steel claws. The Riddler tries to escape but Batman cut his way out. Trapped, he reaches one of his war machines without noticing it’s completely damaged and after starting it, it slides slowly towards the Gotham River. Batman shouts at him, "jump and grab my hand!" but The Riddler replies "I’d rather die than owe you my life!!", falling into the river, leaving Batman dissapointed cause he couldn’t save him. When they see this, villiains start to retreat and they’re literally hunted by the new Dynamic Duo, Rhoda, Betty y the purple brigade.

When everything’s calmed, Grayson voice’s heard: "Now wait a minute... who was the mysterious ally that helpled us?". A tall gentleman surges: "I think I may answer you question, master Grayson; I’m Alfred Pennyworth III and I’m carrying on the instructions left by my father for a situation like the present. From now on, I intend to be the assistant of the new Dynamic Duo if Mr. Wayne and Mr. Grayson let me". Both youngsters look anxious and look at their parents waiting for the answer. The Batman stares at the District Attorney and the Commissioner and says: "This is very dangerous and requires a serious and deep training; besides, the District Attorney and the Commissioner wouldn’t aprove it", but Grayson answers: "I’d only approve it if they had the best teacher... YOU". Batman shakes his hand, forgetting the old differences. Watching this scene, Commissioner Gordon hugs Betty prudly and tell her at the ear: "I got a present for you, some clothes that I don’t use from a long time and you’re the right person for them".

While the young heroes deliver the villiains to the police (again at Barbara Gordon’s command), Selina takes Bruce to the Batmobile telling him "Let the kids finish the job, you and I got some pending matters". Alfred III asks the Batman "Would you need me at the Manor, Master?", and the Caped Crusader answers "I think, tomorrow", but the Catwoman looks at him from the window and jokingly says "Better next week, Alfie!!"

In the river, a hurted hand grabs a rope hanging from a trash boat, escaping the heroes, with an uncertain destiny.

Weeks later, at the stairs of the Police Headquarters, Bruce Wayne, with his new wife Selina, Commissioner Gordon and the new Mayor Grayson, explains before the gothamites congregated there the plans of Gotham reconstruction, in hands of Wayne Enterprises.

That night, in the top of the buildings, four young masked silhouettes, in the moonlight, are watching the city.