Chapter Twelve: Conclusion

For nearly seven years, the Batman watched over Gotham and protected it from the dangerous and unusual. His impact in Gotham and beyond is hard to put in mere words, but can be seen constantly. From books, to music to political debate, his actions formed a key part of American folklore of the twentieth century and served as an inspiration to those overseas. It has been fascinating to look into this subject and I only wish that I could devote the time needed for it in full. But, that would require entire tomes and has been explored by many others anyway.

Throughout this book, I have quoted various figures from history who, I believe, have been impacted by the events in Gotham in some way. Either through their philosophy, careers or actions, we can see a reflection of the Batman's actions in some manner. I will now include a quick summary of these people as I think it shows just how far the Dark Knight's influence travelled.

Clark Kent (1915- ) – Born in Kansas to farm parents, Clark Kent would later go on to become one of the most famous reporters in the USA. His career stretched over five decades, starting in 1939, and used it to uncover the seamier side of America, exposing corruption and conspiracies such as the Tuskegee Institute in 1950 and the MKUltra in 1958. He became the one reporter that everyone could trust and despite the accolades and fame, remained happy to work as a journalist for the Daily Planet until age forced his retirement from the paper in 1991. He has since returned to his native Kansas and still writes articles on subjects ranging from political developments to proper farming techniques. He married the love of his life, Lois Lane, in 1945 and the two are always happy to reminisce about old times and their hopes for the future. Although deeply sceptical of the Batman's actions, Kent has always maintained that he believes that there was a deep sense of compassion in the Dark Knight. As questionable as his actions might have been, Kent believed he served something nobler.

Anthony Stark (1940-1978) – The heir to the weapons manufacturer, Stark Industries, Anthony Stark was born in privilege and wealth, but he worked hard to move beyond that. With the Cold War defining Stark's early years, he would throw himself into weapon development, becoming an excellent engineer and designer despite his youth. Stark Industries would go on to make great strides in technology as well as supplying the US government with cutting edge technology. Stark took over the company after his father's death in 1960 and led it to new heights, braking ground on computer technology especially with the creation of the first widely used microprocessor in 1967. With such strides came a darker side though, Stark's wild lifestyle took a toll on him along with a hereditary heart condition and he died from complications in 1978. His legacy was one of advanced computer and weapons sciences, rapidly increasing the advancement and accessibility of household computers to all. It was also one that helped saw the US establish its Strategic Defence Initiative, Stark's research being instrumental in getting the program online in 1987.

Felix Leiter (1918-1990) – From a military background, it was of no surprise that Leiter joined the army as soon as he could and was transferred to intelligence to help uncover any potential espionage threats. Following several successful missions during the war, Leiter became one of the first agents of the newly founded CIA in 1947. Moving out of field work in 1956, he would then move up the ranks to become director of the agency in 1962. He wasn't afraid to clash with various administrations in regards to what he believed were the best use of resources and agents. Despite the arguments, he had a reputation for being able to perceive threats internal and external, master minding the evacuation of diplomatic staff from Iran during the revolution. He would retire from the job in 1983, writing his memoirs and eventually passing away, a respected figure by many. He would reflect on Batman several times, believing that he would have been a perfect agent, if not for the eccentricities of wearing the mask.

Richard Tracy (1898-1977) – A law man who made his name fighting the gangs who used Prohibition to line their own pockets, Richard Tracy became the poster boy for the honest police officer fighting crime and corruption. Tracy also had a rather notorious reputation for his willingness to use deadly force on suspects, few of the more notorious criminals in Detroit managing to survive their attempted arrests. He would use his fame to later go on to be elected Mayor in 1944, serving for eight years until he moved on to become Governor of Michigan. He emphasised law and order as well as pushing forward on Civil Rights. Having seen the effects that Stark led technological advances would make, he also looked to diversify that state's economy, looking to fight against the upcoming automation he saw as inevitable. For this, Michigan most likely owes a debt of gratitude to Tracy that can never be repaid in full. He left office one of the state's most celebrated sons and was mourned widely when he passed away. He never shirked from his views on vigilantes, seeing the Batman as a positive example of what people could do when the rules couldn't protect them.

Helen Maxwell (1969- ) – Originally from England, Maxwell moved to Norway in her early 20's to continue her studies in criminal psychology. In 1996, she got involved with the infamous Barrows' Murders, otherwise known as the 'Scissorman Killings'. A family who had also originally come from England, they were an offshoot of nobility who had had a long and dark past to them. An attempt to adopt four teenage girls into the family resulted in the murder of three of them and the youngest, Jennifer Simpson killing two of her attackers simply to survive. The following investigation in the Barrows and the revelation of their years as serial killers shook Europe deeply and the effects are still felt to this day. Maxwell was one of the doctor's assigned to help Simpson, as she was suffering with, among other things, severe PTSD. Things would get worse as a copycat struck a year later, starting a series of spree killings that turned out to be by a hidden member of the Barrows family. With his death by the hands of the police however, the issue was finally put to rest and Maxwell would adopt Jennifer in 1998, giving the girl some much needed stability after her experiences. Since her run in with the evil of the Barrows, Maxwell has become a leading expert on extreme criminals and has published numerous papers in regards to the Batman, seeing him as one of the few people of that mindset who turned out for the better.

Leona Ozaki (1970- ) – Leona Ozaki has had one of the most interesting careers a police officer could have. She graduated at the top of her class, training to be a police officer and took up the uniform with a sense of enthusiasm that was quite unnerving. In her first year as an officer in 1990, she had uncovered a web of corruption that extended to the highest echelons of the Japanese cabinet, although there is some debate on whether or not it was intentional or she merely stumbled over it while investigating a theft involving medical supplies. The scandal led to a string of arrests through the higher ranks of the LDP and election defeat that it still has yet to recover from. With the spotlight suddenly on her, Ozaki did not shirk from it, actually gaining some infamy for speaking her mind when it came to matters of law and order. She was elected to the Diet in 1996, despite such views and remains a person of some controversy with her views of police brutality being questionable, to put it mildly. Her views on vigilantism are strong as she sees them as part of the wider criminal problem and has singled out the Batman for being the inspiration to many.

William Batson (1940- ) – The 39th President of the United States, William 'Billy' Batson needs little introduction. Born into poverty in Fawcett City, Batson and his sister Mary would go through the system, with Billy joining the work force while still a child. Taking whatever jobs he could get at a local radio station introduced Batson to the effects media could have on people and his earnestness earned him a small slot reading 'children's news' to the masses. Based off his experiences, he was motivated to get into politics at an early age, using his fame in Fawcett City to get started. A charismatic and respected figure, Batson was the classical Rockefeller Republican in his outlook and became a figure of interest by many as time went on. Becoming the Governor of his native Ohio, Batson's rise in politics was meteoric, eventually securing his party's nomination for the 1980 election. After the chaotic 60's and 70's, Batson's election to the office of President was almost like a rejuvenation to the country. His management of key legislation, helping to increase healthcare, a focus on greatly expanding the weakened Civil Rights legislation of the 1960's and cutting away the over-regulation of businesses. His dealing with the Soviet Union were a great factor in its dissolution being peaceful in the late 80's. After his two terms were over, Batson left office to focus on child focused charities. In a recent poll of greatest Presidents among historians, he was ranked fourth. His personal views of vigilantism were an area of criticism, Batson having an almost childlike enthusiasm for the ideas of them and has cited the Batman as a personal hero.

John Steed (1922- ) – The very archetype of an English gentleman, John Steed served in the Royal Navy during World War II, gaining notice for his bravery and calmness under pressure. Leaving the Navy after the war, Steed took a civil service job in London, being known more for his charm and dress style than his work ethnic. He eventually turned to writing, being the author of a series of outlandish espionage tales centred around two agents of an unknown and mysterious intelligence organisation. The books were huge hits and Steed had a habit of hinting towards them actually being real, often with a nod and a wink. Despite his success, Steed continued with his line of work in London until retiring in 1980 and currently lives in quiet retirement in the English countryside. His view on vigilantism seemed to be that of an amateur admirer, seeing them as a potential hobby group for eccentrics above all else.

Ami Mizuno (1978-) – A child prodigy, Ami Mizuno was noted from a young age for her incredible intelligence in all areas of academic study. She graduated from high school aged only fourteen and went on to study medicine, gaining her degree at seventeen years old. She has written numerous articles during her studies, showing a great interest in vigilantes and their health in particular as her native Japan had seen many such heroes rise of the years. As her training went on, Mizuno would soon be recognised as the leading expert on the effects vigilantism would have on health, both physical and mental. She currently lives in Tokyo with her life partner, Makoto Kino and looks to start work as a full fledged doctor once completing her training. Her research has looked towards the Batman numerous times, seeing him as a defender of the people of Gotham, but ultimately someone who himself was in dire need of help. Mizuno's theories tend to separate such figures into two groups, those who are inspired to act due to high ideals, or those who are pushed onwards to some tragic incident in their past. Mizuno placed the Batman in the latter category, the darkness in his character and mostly lone crusade certainly making it a viable theory.

Steve Rogers (1919-1979) – Dubbed the 'Liberal Lion', Steve Rogers had a long and arduous career in politics that started in poverty. Born in New York, Rogers suffered from a series of ailments that affected him throughout his life and prevented him from joining the army as he hoped. Unable to fight for his country on the battlefield, Rogers turned to other pursuits in order to do so, joining the Democratic Party as he looked to serve his nation in politics. An admirer of Franklin Roosevelt, Rogers would mould his politics around the New Deal President, keeping those ideals throughout his lifetime. Despite his ill health, Rogers' charisma and idealism attracted many towards him, soon becoming a noticed name in New York politics. He was elected to the State Senate and then to Governor in 1955, his backstory as an every-man making him appealing to voters. His time in Congress would see him praised and criticised in almost equal measure as him sticking to his beliefs would stymie, as well as help his efforts. Although respected and even liked by almost everyone in Congress, Rogers' inability to compromise his ideals while having a wide base of support in the Democratic Party set back some of the causes he fought for. He would die in office, lionised by many and admired for his success in pushing forward honest government measures. His take on vigilantes was that they could be extraordinary people facing hard times. As one who was never able to take the action that he had once wanted, he saw vigilantes as doing what was needed when the situation called for it.

Maxwell Gadget (1958-) – Known to any as the 'World's Greatest Detective', Maxwell Gadget gained his reputation by single-handedly bringing down the Moldavian-Albanian Duumvirate crime syndicate in the mid-80's. A native of Quebec, Gadget would rise to become an Interpol detective, even though his early reputation suggested that he got that far mostly out of bull headed stubbornness as opposed to intelligence or his detective skills. This would change when he would be put on the case against the crime syndicate, it widely regarded as unsolvable due to the syndicate's Soviet Union backing and protection. Despite this though, Gadget seemed to have blossomed under pressure and brought down all of the organisation's major operations worldwide over the years 1983-1986. It is possible that the murder of his brother and sister-in-law in 1981 by agents of the syndicate gave him a key motivation, avenging the death of his brother as well as bringing closure to his niece. Whatever his final motivations, Gadget's investigations destroyed the criminal syndicate and made him a hero to the world. He has since retired from detective work and his niece, Penny Gadget has gone on to join Interpol herself, showing an aptitude for investigation that matches her uncle's. Maxwell Gadget looked down upon vigilantes himself, believing that they didn't have what it took to be real detectives and was scornful of the Batman acting outside of the law.

The effects of the Batman can be seen outside his immediate time and place by looking at how these people perceived him and were even impacted by him. Beyond those he helped in Gotham, the Batman served as an inspiration for others to follow on their quest for justice. Although he was clad in darkness, he strove towards the light, bringing down criminals and protecting people from the insanity that had infected Gotham's streets. There is and shall almost always be controversy over his motivations and actions, but it is my personal belief that the Batman did what he did for the best reasons and had as positive an impact as one person could have.

This was never intended to be a complete story of the Batman, simply one to give an insight into the man and his exploits. There are others, the Black Bat and Azrael especially, who deserve great acclaim and have received it from various sources. But this is a story primarily about the Dark Knight and what his actions led to. Without him, the wave of masked vigilantes that continue to this day might never have happened and history might be a bit poorer for it. But, it is influence on Gotham that is the greatest for it and the city is better for him having existed.

If you walk through the streets of Gotham today, you will see a much different city from what it was sixty years ago. New buildings have risen over the former Gothic dominated skyline and major crime is largely forgotten, it being one of the safest cities to live in the US. Despite the changes, there is something of a nostalgia for the past, the time of the Batman seen as something of a grand adventure by those who didn't have to live through it. The Dark Knight has become a figure much like Robin Hood to the people of Gotham, a hero acting outside the rules and laws to do what was right, at a great personal sacrifice.

If you do down to Tricorner Yards in Gotham today, you will see a museum dedicated to this time period, full of media and personal effects to showcase the events. Just outside is a statue of a foreboding figure dressed like a bat. This remains the only official tribute to Batman in Gotham, a lone reminder of the debt the city owes him. Time has passed and the wounds of the period have healed, but the memories remain. Gotham has moved to a bright future and the world now recognises the Batman as a hero who fought against the odds and made a difference. One man standing up for what was right.

In the end, that was all that was needed.

And with that, this fic comes to an end. I hope you've all enjoyed my take on the Bat Mythos and its many twists and turns along the way. Didn't turn out entirely as I had initially planned, but proved to be an interesting experiment nonetheless.

6tailedninja: The songs listed are all from actual Batman media, the titles used in various cartoons and so on. Could see them being pieced together for a fun show.

A big thank you to everyone who's read, faved and reviewed. I hope you all enjoyed this story and what I tried to do with it. Until next time.