Recently @fangbolt posted an editorial asking what future Damien Wayne may have.
That got me thinking: What if Batman broke his golden rule. What if he killed someone!
Let's just say he did. Batman killed someone. Maybe unintentionally, maybe deliberately. Either way, he would have committed murder, or at least man-slaughter and the Gotham City Police Dept. would have no choice but to act. They would have to arrest Batman!
Let's raise the stakes and imagine Batman, during a major illegal drug transaction kills the son of a senator who had a bad addiction problem and was just trying to score some dope. He and the other criminal's are confronted by Batman, and getting their butts kicked! But the senator's son panics-!, fearing being arrested and the wrath of his father, pulls a gun on Batman and is about to shoot him point blank! Batman acts instinctively in defense , but not quickly enough. The boy pulled the trigger and shot himself in the head as his hand was knocked back. He dies instantly.
What happens next?
Alot!
First of all, he's a senator's son so the federal government would get involved. The FBI would issue a high priority arrest warrant and most likely a man-hunt would begin.
Wayne would have to use all that he has within his 'power' to protect his secret identity- which is an entire story arc itself!
Wayne would of course have to desist at least temporarily from serving as Batman , which would leave a 'justice vacuum' in Gotham. Word would get out Batman's not on patrol and every arch-villain and scum-bag would be running wild with the GCPD unable to contain it!
The death of a senator's son would make national news. This most likely would create a divide in society where one perspective would be to arrest him and try him to the fullest extent of the law! Other's might say something like this was bound to happen ,and so ALL super-hero activity should be outlawed(like Marvel's 'Civil War') Other's may defend him noting all the good he did in the past, and this death was probably somehow explainable- giving Batman the benefit of the doubt.
If crime became so rampant, the good citizens of Gotham might just demand Batman be pardoned if only to get the city back under control! This would create resentment in the ranks of the GCPD- against the people and especially against Batman!
Now it's possible Batman's allies would try to fill the void left by the Dark Knight in Gotham, but they too would be arrested as a possible accomplice or maybe even Batman himself with a different uniform!
The dynamic of Nightwing(returning to Gotham to help out) or Huntress for example trying to help the GCPD contain the crime wave -and the troubles they would have doing so -is again another multiple issue story arc!
It's also interesting to ponder what would happen if a shady character tried to fill Batman shoes... but just making matters even worse! Someone like 'Catwoman' or 'Red Hood', who may take advantage of the situation.
Consider also the consternation Comm. Gordon must be experiencing. A supporter of Batman, he'd have to organize the operation of his capture.
What would Batman say to him in a traditional dark alley meeting-?:
"Sorry Jim. I was responsible for the kid's death .Sorry".
Let's explore that dynamic! Does he arrest him on the spot? Does he give him a pass? Does he try and suppress evidence and break the law himself?
Would Bruce keep his identity secret, letting go being Batman and move out of the country, leaving Gotham to fend for itself? What's wrong with self-preservation? Doesn't he deserve retirement after all the good he's done?
If not ,eventually Bruce would have to seriously consider turning himself in and expose his identity as Batman. He would be taking his chances in court- corrupt as they may be- and be charged with the felony!
The trial would make international headlines: "Billionaire is Batman!" or "Billionaire Bruce Wayne on trial for senator's son's murder".
Would his stocks plummet? How would the stress effect him personally, especially considering he can't transform into his alter-ego?
If convicted , he'd end up in a Gotham prison having to face enemies he's responsible for arresting ...indirectly. It would be like 'Arkham Asylum', only worse because he wouldn't have his equipment.
The story-line's and arc's are fantastic...so varied and complex...
just because Batman killed.
Comments?
Headlopper