So I've been thinking about this "story" again recently. The one that hasn't been told.Rollo Tomassi wrote:Does anyone know if they've told the story of the immediate aftermath of the Wayne's murder in great detail.
They've done the murder ad nauseum. And we've followed a young Bruce around the globe training with the best masters in several stories, as well as his early pre-Bat vigilante outings, but what about him between the deaths and leaving on his seven year trek.
I know they've done stories immediately afterward. This is primarily where the character of Dr. Leslie Tompkins comes from and they've also retconned Jim Gordon in as the kindly patrolman.
But what I'm talking about is the moment where he's sitting there thinking 'why did they die. Why was there nobody there to save them.' And from there coming to the decision that there is no such person. But there should be. And then making the solemn vow to be that person.
From that point he wouldve started studying if not preparing physically. I imagine he started studying the law. Maybe his fathers medical journals, etc.
I know he eventually heads off to college and drops out after taking what he knows from it, but there's a long time between being ten(or however old he was when they died) and going to college.
Has that story(or any part of that story) been told. And do you know where.
Here's what I've come up with, roughly.
It starts in the immediate aftermath of the funeral of his parents, and after the legal shenanigans of Alfred becoming his Legal Guardian. Bruce can finally get down to brass tacks about this vow he's taken. But he really has no idea how to begin. He starts by reading the obits every day and seeing how many people die from crime. Then, he goes to the cemetery to I dunno, do research(I was initially having him visit the cemetery to visit his parents. But then I realized they're buried on the grounds at Wayne Manor). Whatever the reason he's at the cemetery and meets an older gentleman who is visiting his wife's grave.
Bruce gets into a conversation with the man, who turns out to be a retired judge who now teaches philosophy and pre law at Gotham U. Bruce asks ifnthe mans wife was a victim of crime, and the man says no, she died of cancer (or whatever). Bruce let's slip about his vow(remember he's like eleven or so). Which turns into a conversation/debate about the merits of what he's trying to accomplish. The gentlemen also suggests Bruce start working out as a way to burn off some of his rage and also because it helps focus his mind.
As time progresses. Bruce keeps returning to the cemetery (and eventually he's meeting the gentleman in other places) and decides he wants to follow in his fathers footsteps and be a doctor. The gentlemen points out that a doctor can't stop crime, he only tends to the victims after the fact and even he's only partially successful. And a doctor can't be everywhere. But he tells Bruce the importance of having medical training.
Then Bruce decides he wants to be a cop. And again the judge weighs the pros and cons of being constrained by the law. But being a Detective is a useful skill. The nature of solving crimes, etc.
Then Bruce thinks about being a lawyer or a politician. Etc. The same thing happens where the judge is playing devils advocate. but suggesting each time to Bruce that these skills are useful.
Then they get into a discussion about vigilantism and masks, etc(this is all happening over the course of several years by the way. Before Bruce left on his world training tour that would take several years). The judge points out the anonymity of a mask can be an act of cowardice like the KKK, but it can also be a symbol, etc.
This goes on and on(if you guys can think of any other 'learning' moments speak up!), and slowly Bruce is formulating his ultimate plan to be trained by the best in everything.
Right before he leaves, he visits the old judge one last time and finds out he's dying. And he probably won't be alive by the time he gets back(or perhaps he finds out after he returns in seven years that the judge died in the interim).
So right before he goes out officially as Batman, Bruce and Alfred visit the Judge's grave and Bruce says something to the effect of
"Everything I've done is because of the ideas and ideals this man planted in me, even if I didn't realize it at the time. If it weren't for him, the Batman as we know him wouldn't exist..."
Then you pan down and the gravestone reveals the judge's name: William Finger.
BOOM! bitches. I just blew your mind. The whole thing is meta textual.
