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[center][color=gray]BATMAN[/color][/center][/b]
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[CENTER][sup][color=6e7f80]"Your day of reckoning has arrived."[/color][/sup][/CENTER][COLOR=WHITE][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3][color=gray]C H A R A C T E R   C O N C E P T[/color][/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][INDENT][i]Given the clean slate of Batman, I wanted to try something different compared to the other versions of the bat. It's that Gotham is more corrupt than it ever has been thanks to the wealthy families living in the Palisades. The GCPD, led by Commissioner Loeb, has become the second most corrupt police force in the nation with their record high cases of police brutality and rumored connections with the crime families. And Mayor Hill does whatever he can to make the rich richer and poor poorer. With folks, like Jim Gordon and Michael Akins, getting punished for attempting to fix the problem. It seems like the citizens have lost hope. 

But, one man plans on solving Gotham's problems: Bruce Wayne.

After losing both of his parents, Bruce was placed under the care of Alfred Pennyworth and Leslie Thompkins. Both his caretakers tried to hold onto the wealth amassed by his parents before the city took it all. Wayne Manor was left abandoned while Wayne Enterprises was left in limbo until the Cobblepots entered the picture. There wasn't much Alfred could do to stop the city from stripping apart what the Waynes built. Leslie, a close friend to the Waynes, offered them a place to her home. Still mourning for his parents, Bruce made a graveside promise that he would avenge his parents' deaths. 

Bruce sent his later youth and teenage years training whenever possible. He was active in several clubs at his school, helped Leslie and Alfred at the clinic, and worked as a mechanic with Earl and Marva Cooper. Once he was done with high school, Wayne gathered his savings and announced that he was leaving Gotham to travel around the world. He didn't know how long it would take, but it was something that he needed to do. With his foster parents' blessing, Wayne departed and spent six years moving around and learning so much. 

During his travels, one memory reminded in his mind upon returning to Gotham. During his time in New Mexico, he learned survival skills when he got lost and suborned upon a cave. But once he entered the cave, it became clear that he was lost. It felt like he had walked for hours until he found sunlight. When he started running towards it, bats were awakened and began attacking. At first, Bruce was terrified of them and tried fighting back. It didn't work. But it wasn't until remembering the lesson about maintaining fear that he was able to escape.

Besides the numerous bite marks and the medical bill, Bruce remembered how terrifying the bats were. And he wondered if it was possible to use that terror to his advantage, especially with Gotham's current state. Police corruption is at an all-time high with stories of their brutality being heard across the nation. Bruce understood that nobody was going to do anything to stop it. So he decided to do something.[/i][/indent][/indent]
[COLOR=WHITE][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3][color=gray]C H A R A C T E R   M O T I V A T I O N S   &   G O A L S[/color][/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][INDENT][i]Look, I am going to be honest. I despise rich folks, especially billionaires, for various reasons (capitalism). So, I am going to write Gotham City as its truly meant to be written: a cesspool of greedy wealthy people that brought out the city. The City Council, filled with the same folks, maintains the status quo while avoiding pleads for meaningful change. And the current commissioner makes sure the police department protects the rich while punishing the poor severely. There's no way someone could make it to the top of the social ladder without getting their hands dirty. Money absolutely corrupts.

Bruce Wayne never grew up as Gotham City's wealthiest since the city took it from him. He had to live in the shadow of Gotham's skyscrapers along with everyone else. It was filled with struggle, but his custodial parents did everything to give him a good youth. Yet, Bruce still struggles with his inner demons. He wants to uphold his promise, but at what cost? That will be the question that he has to find out. [/i][/indent][/indent]
[COLOR=WHITE][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3][color=gray]C H A R A C T E R   N O T E S[/color][/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][INDENT][i]Hamilton Hill: Mayor of Gotham City.
Gillian Loeb: Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department.
Rupert Thorne: Councilman on Gotham City Council.
Carmine Falcone: Don of the Falcone Crime Family.
Salvatore Maroni: Don of the Maroni Crime Family.
Oswald Cobblepot: CEO of Wayne Enterprises. 

Alfred Pennyworth: Surrogate father of Bruce Wayne and nurse at Park Row Community Clinic.
Leslie Thompkins: Surrogate mother Bruce Wayne and head doctor of Park Row Community Clinic.
Earl Cooper: Engineer and owner of Gotham City Collision.
Marva Cooper: Engineer, technician, and co-owner of Gotham City Collision.
Lucius Fox: Head of Research and Development at Wayne Enterprises and close friends of Alfred.
Vicki Vale: Reporter and Photographer at Gotham Gazette.
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[COLOR=WHITE][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3][color=gray]S A M P L E   P O S T[/color][/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][/COLOR][INDENT][INDENT][hider=Sample Post][hr][color=181818][sup][h1]
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[center][color=gray]BATMAN[/color][/center][/b]
[/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][COLOR=gray][I]Archie Goodwin International Airport[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=gray][b]0.00 // A Bitter Sweet Reunion[/b][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr]
[indent][indent][indent][color=dcdcdc]Six years ago, Bruce Wayne bid farewell to his friends and family before departing his hometown to see the world. To find himself away from the place that changed his life forever. In secret, he spent those years learning everything required to uphold his promise. Boxing with the world-famous Wildcat in Boston, acrobatics at a circus in Cologne, intimidation and interrogation from former Spetsnaz agents at Norilsk, and plenty of other useful skills learned across the world. It wasn't cheap nor painless, but he appreciated every single one of his teachers. There was more to learn, but the life-changing experience in the caves of New Mexico opened his eyes to something possible.

Upon setting foot on the epoxy flooring of the lavish airport, Wayne saw how much it had changed since he left it years ago. It got an expensive makeover along with a new terminal facility and runway thanks to donations from infamous Carmine Falcone. Almost everyone knew that he was Don of the Falcone Crime Family, but it was clear that the politicians and police were in his pocket. Wayne approached a massive fountain, inspired by the Fontana del Tritone in Rome, and read the plaque:

[center][b]THE FOUNTAIN OF GOTHAM
Donated by the Falcone Family in honor of Gotham City's rich history. 
[sub]Any coins generously thrown will go support Gotham General Hospital.[/sub][/b][/center]
Wayne reached into his pocket, pulled out a quarter, and flicked it at the fountain. Then, he made his way outside and saw Gotham's skyline for the first time in years. There were several skyscrapers still unfinished in various stages of completion, just like it was years ago. Mayor Hill and the city council talked about having Gotham City's skyline rival Metropolis' or even New York City's. Of course, it was all nonsense because the project cost billions. But, it seemed that the same family is helping to make that dream a reality (along with a few other wealthy families and individuals). Even with the touch-up, it was meant to cover up the city's ugly truth.

And all someone had to do was drive beyond the tourist attractions.

[color=ffd800]"Did you say Park Row?"[/color] the taxi driver asked Wayne.

[color=6e7f80]"Yeah... The Community Clinic."[/color] Wayne answered while watching the driver's reaction through the rearview mirror. It was clear that he was nervous and scared about traveling there. Nevertheless, the driver didn't say anything and kept on driving. There was reason to fear Park Row that Wayne couldn't even dismiss. It was filled with criminals and became a hotbed of crimes ranging from robbery to murder. The clinic was always filled with patients that sought aid and safety without judgment. It was one of the few remaining reminders of its past before... that night.

The taxi driver stopped in front of the clinic and unlocked only Wayne's door. He exited out of the cab and went to pay the driver. Wayne tried to thank the driver, but he already sped off. He didn't blame the driver for wanting to leave. After all, he was terrified of going to Park Row and being robbed at knifepoint. The truth was that nobody was going to bother robbing a tax driver, but the lie was still being spread by the police, politicians, and the media. Interested in seeing his surrogate family, Wayne made his way inside the clinic. 

Once inside, Wayne noticed the people waiting for their names to be called. It wasn't crowded as usual on a weekday, which was either a good or bad sign. Immediately, a familiar voice called out his name. [color=48929b]"Bruce?!"[/color]

It was Marva Cooper still working at the garage based on the grease stains on her overalls. She gave him a tight hug before asking, [color=48929b]"What the hell are you doing back?!"[/color]

[color=6e7f80]"Got tired of exploring the world."[/color] Wayne answered sarcastically and then noticed that she was at the clinic. [color=6e7f80]"What are [b]you[/b] doing here?"[/color]

[color=48929b]"Just waiting for my dad to finish up with his appointment. Nothing serious, just a routine checkup ordered by Leslie herself."[/color] Cooper sat back down and waited for Wayne to sit next to her. She noticed that he had something on his mind and decided to say something. [color=48929b]"Hey, are you alright?"[/color]

[color=6e7f80]"I... Actually, I have a favor to ask you and your father."[/color]

[color=48929b]"Yeah, what is-"[/color] Before she could finish, the door opened for Earl Cooper as he was walking out with Dr. Leslie Thompkins behind him. They were in the middle of talking when Thompkins noticed Wayne, sitting there. She didn't believe it at first. But, it was a huge relief to know that he was alive after not writing back for a few weeks. Bruce got up and hugged her before she could've started crying her eyes out. Earl, meanwhile, walked over to his daughter and placed his hand on her shoulder. Both of them watched Wayne and Thompkins having a touching reunion.[/color][/indent][/indent][/indent]
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