The continuation of my chapter by chapter review of The Dark Knight (2008) adaptation.
Chapter 2: 'Bring me my toast and do as i say.'
Let's explore chapter two, guys and gals...
In it, author Dennis O'neil dedicates another chapter to events taking place prior to the start of TDK's screenplay.
From the start, we jump into the retrospective mind of Bruce Wayne and his tormenting recollections of his conflict with Ra's Al Ghul in Batman Begins. He just can't discern whether or not his former sensei was purely wicked or if what he was doing was for the betterment of humanity. In theory, Ra's had a serious apocalypse equation complex, a la Bertrand Zobrist (Inferno Villain).
Bruce even wonders if he was subconsciously imbued by Ra's to guise his identity, akin to the way Ra's rused him in the previous film. I found this to be a plausible and fascinating supposition to think about. In addition to his constant ordeal, he admits to himself that saving Ra's was a horrid choice. Of course it was a blunder, Bruce, but don't forget the Christopher Nolan rule of a NO Killing Batman. Plus, the no orphan left behind act did eventually pay off by giving us Robin.
Inserted in the middle of this chapter, it's reported that Gothamites are confused as to what Batman's allegiance and virtues are.
Some even notion Batman may have deliberately caused the train derailment, resulting in the hallucination outbreak, mass mayhem, and Ra's death. To others, they viewed Batman as a hero.
Treating us fans to more pre-screenplay nuggets, O'neil transports us to the penthouse suite that is featured prominently in the film, though it appears Bruce is off in a section more suitable for exercise.
And what exercise is it that Mr. Wayne partakes in? Kata.
Enter the staunch, sage, bluntly caring Alfred Pennyworth, butler of Batman. He's curious as to what Bruce is up to, asking him where he learned this Kata stuff. Yeah, where did you learn this strange dancelike routine, Bruce? Not from Ra's, not at all. Actually, it was a Korean master who dwelled in the changansan mountains.
I have to ponder: What purpose does this Kata serve?
We never see any martial arts moves performed by Nolan's Batman, especially not in that hampering, bulky Batsuit he staggers around in.
Seriously, of all the things, he practices Kata! the only other fictional characters i've seen do Kata were Eric Foreman's Mom in That '70s show and Daniel-son in Karate Kid. Maybe his last line of defense, if all his high-tech gadgets should fail him, would be the Crane move.
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| Don't touch my wonton. |
I must gripe now. Don't worry, though, i'll try and keep it as civil as a Gotham City denizen. My man Alfred shows up to serve ol' brucey a dish of Toast and Coffee. Okay, Mr. O'neil, you just subjected me to a chapter filled with how much of an athletic freak Bruce is, and now you're telling me his breakfast is carbs and caffeine!?!
No brawny specimen touches bread, looks at bread, or even trusts someone that consumes the fatty poison. Tsk-Tsk.
On second thought, I guess he isn't as bad as circa 1939 Bruce Wayne, from his intro panel in detective comics #27, when it comes to health.
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| 'Right, right. Crime rates are extremely high and so are we, Gordon.' |
Not long after, Alfred inquires Bruce about his intent to keep up his crime fighting crusade. Being his butler and confidant, Alfred should have some knowledge on the matter. Apparently, he's either clueless or on the precipice of dementia.
Bruce, gulping down his coffee and munching on his toast, expresses his case that the job in Gotham is far from done. As long as organized crime, political corruption, and police betrayal pervade Gotham, He will be there, lurking in the shadows, aiming to scoff out the evil and restore proper justice to his beloved city.
Alfred cavils a speech about how the Batcave is inaccessible (Note: Due to the smoldering on Wayne Manor by the League of Shadows in BB) and the playboy penthouse won't be feasible to pull off. In classic Bruce Wayne form, he placidly explains his plans to refurbish a hidden place he found, semi-calming Alfred's brood. With some good old-fashioned elbow grease and a jolly promise of a swell Christmas bonus, Bruce presumes they can transform this unsaid place into a 'bunker of sorts.'
Yes, Bruce. I'm sure all it takes is some pinesol and an avarice need for a holiday bonus to set-up a furtive military-level base. For Gotham's sake, Batman, Alfred's in his seventies, and he just brought you bread--Senility is imminent.
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| Will that x-mas bonus be in my stocking, Master Wayne? |
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