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Batman: Oath Sworn - A Completed Batman Novel

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 (Edited)

Synopsis:
“1985. Gotham City is a symbol of apathy and dishonesty left unmatched too long. The corruption of Chicago in the prohibition, the poverty of New York in the depression, and the rampant violence of the 1960s live on in Gotham. In the city of rot exist three crusaders: one law-man who will not take the bribe, one counsellor who will not be cowed into submission, and one man whose guilt can only be matched by an undying fury–The Bat-Man.”

Summary:
Bruce Wayne begins his crusade against crime as Bat-Man. The Falcone Crime Family–led by Bruce’s Godfather, Carmine Falcone–holds Gotham city in its clutches, the police force and judicial system in their pockets.
The deprived citizens turn to crime, the streets are overrun by drugs and disease, and the city is content as a cess-pool of suffering. Bruce, as Bat-Man, must join forces with the newly transferred Lieutenant James Gordon, and the Assistant District Attorney, Harvey Dent, to have any chance of rooting out the snakes who poison the people to whom Bruce owes all.
All the while, Bruce finds himself detached from his mother figure Leslie Thompkins, and starts an affair with photo-journalist Vicki Vale in an attempt to spread awareness of his playboy personality, only to find himself yearning for love in earnest.

Pretence:
Having been a fan of the Batman franchise since before I can remember, I have always wanted to do something of my own with the character. Spurred on by the ever expanding wealth of ideas that have been perpetuated over the years, I have come to the conclusion that I must write something. An unofficial, derivative, and self-satisfied novel–which I hope will bring at least someone a modicum of amusement.

Sources from which elements of the story are derived:
The Batman Forever Screenplay by Akiva Goldsman and Lee & Janett Scott Batchler – The details of Bruce’s guilt
Batman: Year One by Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli – Gotham city’s systemic corruption and brutality, as well as much of the plot
The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale – The Falcone Crime Family
Batman Annual Volume 1 #14: Eye of the Beholder by Andrew Helfer and Chris Sprouse – Harvey Dent’s Origin
The Man Who Falls by Dennis O’Neil and Dick Giordano – The Batman’s worldwide quest for skills
Batman (1989) by Tim Burton, Sam Hamm, and Warren Skaaren – Vicki Vale and Alexander Knox, reporters who intend to make an exposé on Gotham city

Sample Chapters:
Chapter One – The Emperor’s Physician: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EwknF1HCYUpYgnEyxkctbVw4inJSF27i/view?usp=sharing
Chapter Six – The Night Descends: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u1mkukv2YWpBj2W3i6Vq8U-bxcKjs4IS/view?usp=sharing
Chapter Nine – The Low Down: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rfxK7sVQNZT9HDTR2m2H2lLeVk4KJOlc/view?usp=sharing

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Anakin Starkiller said:

I’d love to hear your ideas for this novel!

The story is a period piece, set in 1985, complete with big hair and the decadence and consumerism the era is now known for. It is being made with the intent of being as realistic as I can manage it–how unoriginal. Most of my inclusions are plays on previously existing ideas, moments, and characters from the franchise. I can only hope I have re-contextualised and adapted them to a sufficient degree that they feel more original than they truly are.
I hope to depict the characters and scenarios in a way that is as emotionally moving and internally consistent as I can.

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The Novel’s complete! For those interested, there are sample chapters at the end of the description.
Torn between properly going through and re-reading it and just being done with it–been writing it for a while, now. Will probably hold off and give it a once over before I “release” it.