NIGHTWING

Pitch
by
Saladino Lopes

2014
82 Erskine Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
+61 (04) 0641 6579
cosmicology@outlook.com

SYNOPSIS

As the darkest hour comes before dawn, Batman who once stood
as a beacon for others to look up to must pass his torch onto
another.
After Batmans disappearance, Gotham is left in turmoil. Left
crippled and wheelchair bound, Bruce cannot help but watch as
the empire he was once sworn to protect, begins to crumble
around him and all that he has worked to achieve slowly comes
undone.
After witnessing the murder of his parents when he was a boy,
Dick Grayson returns home to Gotham many years later searching
for answers.
Having sworn to exact revenge on those responsible, he takes
matters into his own hands, turning to vigilantism.
Reminding him of himself when he was a much younger man, Bruce
decides to take him under his wing. Seeing potential in him
but also someone needing his guidance.
He offers to become his mentor and help Dick in his search.
In exchange all that he asks of him is that he gives up this
search for revenge to fight for a worthier cause.
The one question remaining is can he be saved or is he so far
down this path that he is beyond all hope of redemption.
Night wings journey is an emotional arc that goes from despair
to hope.
It is ultimately a story of redemption. About innocence lost,
learning to believe and restoring ones faith in the world
again.

THEME

Having first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939,

Batman has undergone many different iterations.
Having started out in comic books before being translated into
other such mediums as radio, television, cinema and video
games. Batman has been interpreted stylistically throughout
each era, in some way reflecting the mindset of its audience.
Created by Bob Kane and collaborator Bill Finger who drew
upon contemporary 1930s popular culture for inspiration.
Details found in popular pulp fiction, comic strips and
newspaper headlines of the day were to influence Bat-Man's
look, personality, methods and weaponry.
An aristocratic hero with a double identity, but also a
master sleuth who solved cases and brought criminals to
justice. A perfect fit for DC (Detective Comics) who wanted
to cash in on the popularity of the super hero genre and
expand their audience.
Fast forward through to the 1960s television serials. Which
although captured look and feel of the contemporary comics was
also a tongue-in-cheek parody of 60s counter culture.
Reveling in its excess with over exaggerated acting, over
saturated colors, campy dialogue and cartoony special effects.
In the 1980s graphic novels breathed new life into the comic
book industry. With writers such as Frank Miller and Alan
Moore retelling the character's origin.
Giving a realistic interpretation of Batman's genesis,
established characters were given the opportunity to be
reintroduced in new ways.
With the 1989 Batman film, Tim Burton decided to make the dark,
serious version of Batman. The way Bob Kane and Bill Finger
had envisioned him in 1939. A creature of the night, stalking
criminals in the shadows.
Although the tone and themes of the film were influenced in
part by Alan Moore's The Killing Joke and Frank Miller's The
Dark Knight Returns. Burtons movie portrayal re-infused
Batman with the darker tones of its 1940s noir influence while
also show casing his own trademark style.
With Joel Schumacher taking over the directors chair from Tim
Burton, the studio decided to change the direction of the film
series to be more main stream. Batman Forever drew inspiration
from the glitz and glam of the Los Angeles night life back in
the 1940s, when the golden age of Hollywood was in full swing.
With the next installment in the series Batman and Robin,
Schumacher not only wanted to pay homage to the golden age of

comic books of the 1950s, but also the camp style of the
1960s television series.
After a series of unsuccessful projects to resurrect Batman on
screen following the critical failure of Batman & Robin,
Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer began to work on the film
in early 2003. Rebooting the series/ the film franchise in
2005 with Batman Begins. An adaptation of Frank Miller's
Batman: Year One which aimed for a gritty and more realistic
tone, with humanity and realism being the basis of the film.
Batmans most recent incarnation was in the action-adventure
video game series
Batman : Arkham Asylum /City/Origins. An open world, which
allowed players the opportunity to explore the world that
Batman inhabited. The series recreated the dark, gothic
imagery inherent in the Batman universe, a mix of post
Victorian industrial aesthetic with art deco influences.
Regardless of whether they were laying pen to paper, writing
the story, drawing the comic book panels, behind the camera
lens or a computer screen.
With every new iteration, each visionary artist would have
their own take on how they portrayed Batman and the world that
he inhabited. As if signing their own name on a work of art,
one could see their trade mark style written all over it.

In reimagining the Batman franchise I tried to imagine what

the Gotham of the future would be like. I wanted something
that people could relate to, that was grounded in reality. So
I looked to the real world for inspiration
Seeing what was on the news, reading about what was in the
papers and circulating on the internet. It began to appear
that there was a pattern emerging here.
As I began to see a world shaped by the military industrial
complex.
From the increase of surveillance cameras on the streets. The
creation of the Department of Homeland Security in response to
the threat of terrorism.
To the NSA who were secretly keeping tabs on us, accessing our
social security records and our account details. I watched as
the US invaded another country on the basis of WMDs.
As we went about our everyday lives, there were those at the
top pulling the strings. Shadowy government organisations
working behind the scenes running things.
Playing upon our fears and our need to feel safe in these
uncertain times, while carrying out their own hidden agenda.

Drawing aspects from the NSA and the increase in surveillance.

I saw a future in which not only had technology progressed,
but also our reliance on it.
After breaking his back in an accident and becoming
confined to wheelchair, Bruce Wayne decides to hangs up the
old cloak and cowl. Although he has since retired from a life
of crime fighting, he is not willing to give up just yet.
Maintaining a nightly vigil, he continues to watch over Gotham
using surveillance cameras situated throughout the city.

In creating the character of Night Wing, I envisioned someone

who could suitably replace Batman. Trained in various forms of
martial arts and close combat. Be able to handle weapons and
other armaments. Someone who could infiltrate a criminal hide
out without being detected. Using the shadows to move
stealthily about, sneaking up on unsuspecting persons before
silently taking them down.
There were very few places in the world that could provide
such training or positions that would require such a unique
skill set/set of skills.
One place to start though would be the military. But I also
needed more from this person than just what basic military
training could provide. I needed a Special Forces operative
with a background in either the SAS, Marine Corp. or Navy
Seals. To be part of a military unit, trained to perform
unconventional, often high-risk missions.
Someone who could take care of himself in a fire fight, but
also withstand whatever the underworld of Gotham and the
League of Shadows threw at him.

As Night wing journeyed on his path to redemption, Batman

struggled with his own demons.
In creating the main villain, I wanted someone from Batmans
past. A reminder of something that he thought he left behind
long ago
Keeping in consistency with the theme of the military
industrial complex, I developed this relationship between the
Wayne family and the House of al Ghul. Drawn from the same
stock, both families share a long history with the military
industrial complex.
Having once been business competitors, vying for power and the
all pervasive dollar. They have now become bitter rivals,
feuding with each other.

Wayne Enterprises is an American global aerospace, defense and

security company. Developing advanced technology for military
and civilian applications
While the al Ghul Corp. are defence contractors in the
business of researching and developing advanced weapons and
technology for the military.
Although competing in the same
between both companies is that
more open about their business
choose to be more secretive in

business, the difference

while Wayne enterprises are
practices, the House of al Ghul
their business dealings.

With rumours of them being involved in everything from weapons

dealing on the black market, high profile political
assassinations to secret experimental programs.
Which has caused many to speculate whether it is a legitimate
corporation or merely a front for the League of Shadows and
their illegal activities.
In creating Wayne Enterprises & al Ghul Corporation I drew
upon their real world counterparts for inspiration. Seeing how
defence contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Northup Grumman
and McDonald Douglas conduct business.
I was able to fashion their companies on actual business
models.
In order to stay competitive each company would have to
conduct their own R&D (research and development).
While the al Ghul Corporation invest in Bio labs for genetic
and biological engineering, Wayne Enterprise tends to focuses
more on industrial and consumer grade electronics, gadgets
robotics.
While all of this sounds good in theory, I wanted to see how
it would look in practice.
Although Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul go head to head in the
board room, competing against each other for Government and
Military investment.
The battle in the boardroom is merely a prelude to the real
battle taking place.
As they pit their 'chosen' against each other.
With Death stroke and Bane being a product of the Talias bio
labs and Night wing outfitted with the latest electronics and
gadgets that Wayne Enterprises has to offer.

CHARACTERS

BATMAN
Bruce Wayne
CEO of Wayne Enterprises
Patriarch of Wayne Manor
Mentor to Night Wing
Batman is the secret identity of Bruce Wayne, an American
billionaire, industrialist, and philanthropist. Having
witnessed the murder of his parents as a child, he swore
revenge on criminals, an oath tempered with a greater ideal of
justice.
Using his vast wealth and resources to travel the world, Bruce
trained himself both mentally and physically.
Returning to Gotham he created the alter ego of Batman to prey
on the minds of the lawless and corrupt, turning their inner
doubts and fears against them.
Batman mysteriously disappears from the scene causing the
public and media to question his whereabouts. With citizens
becoming concerned over who would watch over and protect
Gotham. Reclusive billionaire and philanthropist Bruce Wayne
stepped in making a generous donation to the Gotham city
treasury, funding the city wide surveillance system.
Many years later and Bruce Wayne has since become a reclusive
figure, shunning the spotlight and avoiding all publicity.
Within the bat cave he maintains a state of constant vigilance.
Monitoring the live feed coming in from the surveillance
cameras he has set up all over the city. Listening to the
radio chatter on the police scanners. With the aid of
assistant Barbara Gordon who is able to patch into the system
and hack the network.
While conducting a stake out one night, he watches as a gang
of criminals intercepts a drug shipment. Everything goes as
according to plan, until a hooded vigilante decides to
intervene and take out the entire smuggling ring.
Although the person is caught on surveillance camera, Bruce
decides to scramble the live feed. Distorting and corrupting
the signal, making it virtually impossible for the police to
discern the identity of this mysterious vigilante. The only
reason Bruce doesnt report him is because of how much this
person reminds of himself when he was younger.
Identifying the vigilante, through a facial recognition system.
He is able to bring up Dick Graysons profile and learn more

about his history. Intrigued he decides to bring him in

despite his better judgement.

NIGHT WING
Dick Grayson
Ex Special Forces Operative
Apprentice to Batman
After witnessing the murder of his family when he was a boy,
Dick Grayson has since lead a trouble life.
Placed into the witness protection program he was adopted into
a foster family.
Having grown into a juvenile delinquent and in need of proper
guidance and discipline he was sent off to military school.
Afterwards he enlisted into the armed forces, where he moved
steadily up the ranks.
Before becoming a Special Forces operative, part of an elite
group of soldiers tasked with perilous missions.
Many years later after having served active duty in foreign
countries, Dick Grayson returned once again to Gotham
searching for answers.
Visiting his parents grave, he cannot lay to rest the memory
of what happened that tragic night. Vowing to exact revenge on
those he holds responsible. Although it is not the life his
parents would have wanted for him, it is the life he has had
to live with.
Having already lost faith in the justice system he takes
matters into his own hands, turning to vigilantism.
Unbeknownst to him he is being closely observed and his every
movement being monitored from afar. By an unknown benefactor
who is watching out for him.
Invited into Wayne Manor, Bruce Wayne offers to provide him
with the means to find the answers he is looking for. To help
him track down his killers and bring them to justice.

BAT GIRL
Barbara Gordon / #BatGrl
IT Expert by day/ Hacker by night

Despite her insistence on being called by her user profile and

online tag # Batgrl, Bruce still chooses to refer to her by
her maiden name Barbara.
Hacking into Gothams surveillance system, she patches the
live feed from the surveillance cameras to the Bat Cave.
Wire tapping the communications network, she listens in on
conversations taking place and over hears radio chatter
between different law enforcement agencies.
Having gained access to law enforcement and national security
database she is able to identify a person through facial
recognition system, licence plate numbers or credit card
details and bring up their profile.
Just as Batman had the bat mobile and Night Wing has his own
mode of transport.
Her vehicle of choice is a van fitted out with the latest and
most up to date electronics and surveillance equipment.
Having grown up in her fathers household, she was practically
raised on stories of Batman. Like Dick Grayson she grew up
listening to the stories, but unlike him she never grew up or
had grown tired of listening to them.
Barbara stumbled upon Batmans true identity almost by
accident, while rummaging around in some of her fathers old
case files he had lying around. Following up on some clues and
long held suspicions that her father had, that it was Bruce
Wayne behind the mask. Although her father chose to remain
ignorant of Batmans true identity, Barbara had to find out
the truth for herself.
By hacking into Wayne enterprises secure database and looking
through Bruces private files, she soon drew his attention.
Impressed with her skills and seeing that he needed someone of
her talent he invited her in. Having idolised him since he was
a young child, when the opportunity presented itself to work
with him, she eagerly jumped at the chance.
Even though all those years are behind him, she still holds
out on the hope that he dons the cape and cowl one last time.

ALFRED
Alfred Pennyworth
Butler /Valet/Personal Assistant

Following the death of Bruce Waynes parents, Alfred was

appointed as the boys legal guardian to watch over him.
Although Alfred carries on the traditional role of butler,
having raised Bruce since he was a young child, he has become
more of a surrogate father figure to him.
Just as Gotham needs Batman, Bruce has come to rely on
Alfreds loyal service. Even in his darkest hour Alfred has
always stood by him. A shoulder to lean on
It does not mean that Alfred has entirely agreed with the
things hes done or the choices hes made. But he has always
been someone he can confide in and turn to for advice.
As others have looked up to Batman as a role model, Bruce has
always looked up to Alfred, hoping in some way to emulate him.
To be the surrogate father figure to Dick Grayson that Alfred
was to him and to impart the same wisdom and advice he had
been taught to others.

COMMISIONER
James 'Jim' Worthington Gordon
Police Detective
Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department
Although Batman fights on the side of justice, his methods and
phenomenal track record for stopping crimes and capturing
criminals embarrasses the police by comparison.
Although Gordon resented Batmans interference in official
police business, eventually he turned to him for help.
Initially sceptical of Batman's vigilante methods, he
recognizes the necessity of Batman and the two have developed
a mutual respect and tacit understanding
After Batmans mysterious disappearance the public began to
grow. As questions arose of who would watch over and protect
Gotham.
Reclusive billionaire and philanthropist Bruce Wayne stepped
in, making a generous donation to the Gotham city treasury.
Funding the city wide surveillance system.
With Commissioner Gordon appointed as head of the new
surveillance division to oversee it, both worked hand in hand
to usher in a new era of law enforcement. The question soon
became; does Gotham need someone like Batman.
With the arrival of a new vigilante in Gothams midst, Gordon
finds himself torn between his duty as police commissioner and
his loyalty to Batman.

TALIA AL GHUL
Heir to Rhas al Ghuls empire
CEO of a multinational corporation
Matriarch to the League of Shadows
With both families having shared a long history with the
military industrial complex.
Ras Al Ghul saw in Bruce Wayne someone who could unite the
two families in a common interest. Considering him to be the
man most worthy to marry Talia and become his successor.
Although Talia was loyal to her father, and showed a natural
aptitude for managing his criminal and legitimate business
enterprises. Because of the culture her father had grown up in
and the traditions he upheld, her inferior status as a woman
meant that she could never be considered as heir to his empire.
But all that changed after Bruce betrayed Ras al Ghul and
Batman put an end to the Lazarus project. Holding him
responsible for the death of father, Talia swore to have her
revenge.
Although honor demanded retribution, killing him would be all
too easy. Like putting a wounded animal out of its misery.
Instead Talia was content to watch him suffer, biding her time
until the opportunity presented itself.
When Anthony "Tony" Zucco a Mafia boss takes out a hit on
Night Wing. Word soon gets around and it isnt long before
Talia comes to realize that this mysterious vigilante she has
been hearing so much about, is none other than Batmans
protg.
Seeing an opportunity to get back at him for what he did, she
sends an assassin from the League of Shadows to kill Night
Wing.
Deciding to confront Bruce in person, Talia resurrects the old
rivalry between their two families. A bitter feud that soon
spills out of the board room and onto the streets of Gotham
Neither expected to involve themselves in the fight, instead
taking a back seat.
Watching as others do the fighting for them.
Talia sees it as a game. With Gotham as the chessboard upon
which they play.
Bruce represents the old king that sits upon his throne. With
Talia being the evil queen who plots to overthrow him. Night
Wing takes on the mantle of the Dark Knight and all others are
mere pawns to do their bidding.

Engaging Bruce in a battle of wits, Talia plays him at his own

game. Out manoeuvring him at every turn.

POISON IVY
Dr. Pamela Lillian Isley
Research Scientist
Head of Research & Development
Lazarus Project
Meta Human Soldier Project
Venom Project
Having specialized in the field of molecular biology and
neurogenetics, Dr. Isley acquired the dubious nick name
`Poison Ivy because of her research in
chemical weapons and nerve agents derived from plant toxins.
Having gained a reputation her work, she soon drew the
attention of Ras al Ghul who wanted her as head of research
for the Lazarus project.
Code named Lazarus because of the Biblical reference to a
character that is miraculously resurrected from the dead. The
Lazarus project was initially pitched as a means to
artificially regenerate damaged muscles and nerve fibres of
those injured or wounded on the battlefield.
With the possibility of the experimental treatment being used
to rejuvenate healthy tissue cells to their former state, Ras
al Ghul began to realize that it could also be used to restore
his youth and greatly extend his own lifespan.
After the project was scrapped due to unforeseen
circumstances, Dr.Isley was contracted by the military to
work on the meta human soldier project. Designed to further
enhance the physical abilities of soldiers through biological
engineering.
She found that by stimulating certain areas of the brain, they
were able to tap into the subjects central nervous system.
Increasing their strength, speed, agility and endurance.
In the first stage of test it was shown that they could
improve the subjects mental acuity and boost muscle memory.
Giving them the ability to adapt and react to certain
circumstances and situations as well as faster reflexes and
improved motor coordination.

With research and development into the next stage of the meta
human soldier program underway, Dr Isley wanted to push the
limits of what was once thought humanly possible.
Representing the next stage in the evolution of the meta human
soldier program. Project Venom built upon the premise of the
original.
By tapping into other regions of the brain such as the
hypothalamus they were able to regulate and control the flow
of hormones throughout the entire body.
By accelerating the subjects metabolism and increasing their
muscle mass, they were able to create lab specimens of
prodigious size and strength.
By blocking neurotransmitters that register signals to the
brain, they were able to increase the subjects pain threshold.
Making them virtually impervious to pain.

DEATHSTROKE
Slade Joseph Wilson
Ex Mercenary
Assassin
Member of the League of Shadows
Enlisted in the US army Slade signed up as a test subject for
a top secret military experiment to create meta human soldiers.
The project was designed to further enhance the physical
abilities of soldiers through biological engineering by
increasing their strength, agility, speed and endurance.
Rather than receive any medal or any formal recognition, he
was told to keep his mouth shut about what they were doing.
Since the type of things he was being asked to do were not
things the army or intelligence agencies would openly admit to
doing. Which didnt bother him so much since he was under no
pretence that he was serving some greater cause than his own.
After being officially discharged from active duty, he was
then recruited into the League of Shadows. Joining a group of
mercenaries, who served no country or cause but their own.
Although he is a member having sworn an oath and bound by a
code of honour.
He is only in it for himself. Motivated by profit and personal
gain rather than out of any sense of honour or obligation.
Deathstroke is a morally ambiguous character whose motivations
remain unclear. When an underworld crime boss takes out a hit
on Nightwing, Slade accepts the assignment. The only question

remaining is, is he bound by honour or is he simply in it for

the money?
Regardless of the reason Slade hopes to find in Nightwing a
worthy adversary. One who will be able to rise to the
challenge.

BANE
Ex Convict
Test Subject
It wasnt that Dr. Isley couldnt deliver on the results, it
was the methods by which she got those results that were being
called into question.
Following a public inquiry into the suspicious deaths
surrounding those who had volunteered for the meta human
soldier program. The military decided to pull the plug on the
project. Dr. Isley decided to take her research elsewhere far
from the judgement of her peers or the condemnation of her
colleagues.
Moving the operation offshore to the Caribbean Republic of
Santa Prisca. There they were able to bribe corrupt officials
of the Pea Dura prison facility
who in return provided them with live human test
subjects/guinea pigs for their research.
Prisoners on death row, awaiting their sentence. Those already
condemned to die,
whose deaths could be easily explained away and whose
mysterious disappearance would draw no unwanted suspicion.
Having
little
but to
death.
will.

already forfeited their rights, the prisoners are given

option
sign away their lives. To volunteer or face certain
Most sign up either out of desperation or against their

Very few make it out of the program alive and of the few that
do survive,
Bane stands out as living proof of Dr Isleys research. A
testament of the Venom Project. Representing the next stage in
the evolution of the meta human soldier.