I came up with an idea for a movie or book series for Batman that is fairly original, but is somewhat based off of Batman Begins. Here's the first entry in the series:
Bruce Wayne witnesses the murder of his parents and vows revenge against the criminals who took their lives. From a young age- 8-12 years old- he goes out at night to fight crooks and learn their motivations, methods, etc. Along the way he meets a mysterious man named Ra's al Ghul who promises to train him in martial arts and help him avenge his parents; all he asks in return is total allegiance. Bruce accepts and begins a dual life- billionaire orphan by day, protege of the League of Shadows at night.
When Bruce enters his high school years- having supposedly hidden his night activities from his caretaker, Alfred Pennyworth, all this time- he is assigned his first mission by Ra's: take down the empire of the "Penguin"- Oswald Cobblepott, a crime boss who put the mayor, along with other elected officials, in positions of power. Bruce also is told to take on a "spirit animal" of sorts; he chooses the bat, which is ironic as he is still deathly afraid of the creature. This is the basis for his disguise and weapons.
After Batman has severely hurt the Penguin's organization, the man becomes worried and sends out a hired gun known as the "Red Hood." The climatic fight takes place between Batman and Red Hood; the latter is ultimately knocked back by Batman into a vat of chemicals and seemingly killed. Up to this point Batman had planned on killing the Penguin in cold blood but now is devastated that he's (supposedly) taken a human life; he chooses to turn the Penguin in to the authorities instead. Ra's is furious and argues with Bruce over it; Bruce finally decides to leave the League and become his own independent super hero. Ra's puts a hit out on him, since former members of the league could give out its secrets. Meanwhile, Alfred reveals that he's known about Bruce's "other life" all along but promises to keep his identity safe and work with him.
Cast of Characters:
Bruce Wayne/Batman
Alfred Pennyworth
Ra's al Ghul
Talia al Ghul- Bruce's love interest and childhood friend. She loves him despite his abandonment of the League, but is intensely devoted to her father.
Oswald Cobblepott- the mayor of Gotham and also secretly a crime boss. the nick name, "Penguin" is not used by him and is actually an insult, because of his penguin-like features. He doesn't care any accessories except for high powered handguns and shotguns.
Harvey Dent- one of Bruce's closest friends in high school. He has aspirations of becoming a politician and plans to run for office when he's out of college.
Roman Sionis- close friend of Bruce and Harvey, his parents are incredibly wealthy and their fortune is second only to that of the Wayne's. Unlike the Waynes, though, it's believed that the Sionis fortune might have been accumulated through unethical means.
Red Hood- the secondary atagonist, Penguin's hired gun who goes after the "Bat-man."
Carmine Falcone, Sal Maroni- minor crime bosses who don't show up until the end, when they rush to fill in the gap left by the now-imprisoned Cobblepott.
Lucius Fox and James Gordon are introduced in a sequel or threequel. Dick Grayson makes a cameo when Bruce takes Talia to a circus featuring the Flying Graysons. Arkham Asylum doesn't show up much, as the main villains aren't insane at this point.