- "I spent a lifetime trying to right the wrongs of the past, as if putting on a cape and fighting crime would bring my parents back."
- ―Bruce Wayne to Barry Allen[src]
Batman's Crusade was the time period Bruce Wayne operated as Batman and fought the ongoing war of crime in Gotham City.
Background[]
Murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne[]
- "I lost my parents. That pain, made me who I am. Not sure if I know who I am without it, actually."
- ―Bruce Wayne to Barry Allen[src]
Sometime in the mid 1900s, Bruce Wayne, who was just a child witnessed an armed criminal kill his parents in Gotham City. The incident left Bruce seriously traumatized for years, so much that it was the foundation for his eventual crusade as Batman.[1]
Bruce Wayne Becomes Batman[]
With resources from his company he inherited from his father, Wayne Enterprises, Bruce Wayne was able to successfully develop various gadgets and tech for his crusade. Even going underground to build an entire Batcave underneath Wayne Manor where he would secretly operate away from Gotham. He also recieved help from his faithful butler Alfred Pennyworth.[1]
Crusade[]
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Joker's laughing bag.
As Bruce continued operating as Batman in Gotham City, he continued to come across bigger villains. One of those being his archnemesis, the Joker, who Batman would defeat and keep his "laughing bag" in the Batcave. Eventually, Bruce's Batsuit began to wear. Not wanting one that might not last much longer, Bruce developed a total of six Batsuits throughout his crusade and kept them in a hidden room behind a bookshelf in Wayne Manor.[1]
Retirement[]
One day in 1997, Batman killed a criminal in front of their child, which reflected the same trauma he felt when his parents were murdered. This would be the last time Bruce was known to be Batman. He started covering his equipment in tarp as he couldn't stand to be Batman anymore after what he had just done. The story would later become a popular rumor, suggesting there was a possible witness or the criminal's kid told someone.[1]
Aftermath[]
- "You know, they don't really need me. Things have changed, Gotham's now one of the safest cities in the world."
- ―Bruce Wayne to Barry Allen and his counterpart[src]
Ever since Bruce Wayne's life of fighting crime ended, Gotham went on to become "one of the safest cities in the world" and didn't need a Batman anymore, which Bruce took notice of. Unfortunately, his caring butler Alfred Pennyworth eventually passed away presumably of old age sometime after his crusade ended, leaving Bruce to live in his manor alone until meeting two Barry Allens.[1]
Behind the scenes[]
- Andy Muschietti confirmed that Batman retired sometime in 1997, which was the same year Batman & Robin released.[2]
- According to a newspaper from Gotham Globe, the city hall launched a safety scheme to further protect citizens from crime, with it stating that this could be attributed to the work of campaigners and politicians. However, it's canonicity is unknown as it was only shown and not explained in a behind the scenes video.[2]
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