Batman Post-Credits Scene
Before Batman, post credits scenes were a rarity, the first film to use them only having come out a decade prior. Since then, post credit scenes were mainly used for small gags or bloopers in comedic films. After all, if the post credits scene was important, then why wouldn't it simply be edited in earlier for the film? Even Star Wars, the GOAT of cinema didn't have a post credits scene, so surely they were pointless?
Such an attitude was shared by many who saw Batman on its first day, where after Bruce O'Brian as Batman soared off into the night and the title card was shown with rolling credits, a majority of the audience clapped, got up and went home.
Of course, there were a number of people who stayed behind. Moviegoers who just wanted a few minutes to relax before heading back out into the world, fans talking to one another in excitement of the movie they just witnessed and discussing it, people finishing their popcorn and other food, or just people who were waiting for the exiting crowd to lower out of claustrophobia.
As such, those that were remaining were quickly caught off guard when the credits stopped, and the film continued, with some fans rushing out and trying to get those who left to return.
The scene showed two a Gotham rooftop illuminated by the setting sun. Two criminals burst through a doorway, guns raised and scanning the environment while both carried heavy bags of money. After confirming that all was clear, the criminals relax their stance, one throwing his money to the ground in anger, a few hundred dollar bills flying out.
"Damn it all, was just a few months ago that this town was a good place for respectable criminals to make an honest living. Now it's all goin down the drain!" The criminal yelled in frustration, confident that they were too high up for anyone to hear them.
"Bad enough that we got that Bat freak sending everyone to the hospital, but now the Pigs actually care about their jobs." His partner concured.
The first criminal exhaled heavily and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it to calm himself down, "Could be worse, at least the bat's nocturnal, we've got a schedule we can work around."
The partner nodded, "And he's just a person that can punch hard, sooner or later he's gonna fight the bullet. Small chance, but we have a chance to win."
The smoker blew a large trail off the ledge, "Bats is bad, but he's just a cape. If he were a super cape, I would have left after Falcone was brought in. Least we don't have to deal with Superman, Blue boy scout only cares about Metropolis."
At the mention of the Man of Steel, the remaining audience was stunned, as while Batman and Superman were both DC comics heroes, there had been absolutely no mention of Superman or any other DC heroes up until this point, and it was just name dropped so casually. Little did they know-
"Oh really, and who told you that?"
The partner screamed in pure terror, scrambling and crawling away in mortal fear. Meanwhile the famous John Williams score played faintly, building up with each note, driving the audience crazy at what was happening before their eyes.
The smoker's body froze in pure fear, then slowly and mechanically he turned around, mouth agape and cigarette bunt dropped at what he saw, Superman flying in the air a few feet behind him.
The man of steel gave his warm and comforting smile and a small wave, "Hi there, now are we gonna do this the easy way or the hard way?"
The smoker panicked and reached for his gun, firing several rounds at Superman, only for them to bounce off. Superman sighed, "I guess it's the hard way."
The camera then cuts to Batman kicking down the roof door and rolling onto the scene, fists raised for a fight, only for the camera to pan out and show that no one is present save for himself. Batman looks around in confusion, then glances up and stares at the gliding figure of Superman.
"If you're searching for those two crooks who robbed Gotham Plaza, I just dropped them off at the 13th precinct." Superman greets with a smile.
Batman grunts, the two heroes staring down at each other, "If you continue operating in my city in the future, it would do you well to keep me informed." Batman warned.
"Oh, a little protective are we?" Superman asked.
"The 13th is one of the most crooked precincts in Gotham. They may take their jobs seriously with criminals brought in by Superman, but there's no guarantee those thugs won't be released soon." Batman said frankly.
Superman frowned, looking slightly guilty, "My apologies." Batman nods his head slightly in understanding.
"Where are my manners, I'm Superman." Superman introduces himself with a handshake, one Batman reciprocates.
"Batman." Batman says plainly.
Superman shakes his hand lightly as they release, "My, that's quite a strong grip you got there."
"Coming from you, I'll take that as a compliment." Batman says, with Superman chuckling slightly.
Batman crosses his arms and paces, keeping his eyes on Superman, "What's the blue boy scout doing in Gotham? Run out of cats to stuck in trees?" Batman asks.
Superman shakes his head with a slight laugh, "No, we never seem to run out of those in Metropolis. Over the past couple of months, I've been hearing lots of interesting stories coming out of Gotham. Stories of a new protector who watches over the city, keeps its people safe from the night. I was hoping to meet this hero, get to know him."
Batman stops his pacing, looking at Superman in slight suspicion, "Even with some of the....methods that this man uses?"
Superman shrugs his shoulders, "I admit, it's a little too rough and dark for my liking. I've always tried to inspire through my example, even the people who I fight."
Superman looks at Batman, expecting some sort of rebuke or counter, but instead he's surprised as Batman sighs and walks over to the edge, hands gripping on the rooftop as he stares at the city in intensity.
"I wish I could be like you, to be a Superman. Gotham is too corrupted and fallen too low for paragons and virtues alone to make a difference. The criminals of this city need to be taught fear, that there will be consequences, and the weak and innocent can never be preyed upon. So no one will lose those they love again."
"Because it's our responsibility, and because it's right?" Superman prods, receiving a slight nod from Batman, who then turns to face Superman, "That's what makes you a hero Batman, even if we are practical mirrors to one another. It's why I'm reaching out, because heroes now more than ever need to stand together."
Batman faces Superman, intrigued. "What are you proposing?"
"We live in strange and uncertain times. Amazing people, with powers and without, are rising to help change the world for the better. At the same time though, there are many villains who wish to spread terror and fear, bad men and women who wish to make the world their own."
"I am not leaving Gotham, the city needs me, my mission hasn't been finished." Batman said defensively.
Superman nods, "I know, and I would never ask you to abandon your home. But you have to realize Batman, that there's a whole world out there who need heroes like us to defend them. I can't be everywhere at once, and there are some things that even Superman can't do. Gotham has you, but what about the rest of America? What happens when there's a threat that is greater than either of us a time where we must rise to the occasion?" Superman questions.
Batman stands in silent contemplation for a few seconds before answering, "So what you're suggesting is some sort of club, a team?"
"A league perhaps, one that will stand for justice, welcome to all heroes." Superman offers.
Batman shakes his head, "A noble idea, but impractical and unlikely."
"Would many not say the same of one man trying to rescue Gotham? How can you judge unless you've seen it through?" Superman counters.
Batman stares off to the side, looking as if in the middle of recollection, memories far and recent coming to mind as he comprehends Superman's offer, "I can't walk away and fight for others when Gotham is experiencing change for the first time in decades, when the people start to have faith that there will be a morning."
Superman nods in understanding and respect, turning around and ready to fly away before Batman continues, "Not today, and not tomorrow. But perhaps somewhere in the future, I can be that hero you believe I am, one the world deserves."
Superman smiles widely, "I couldn't have asked for more."
Superman's head then jerks suddenly, and a few second later a fleet of police cars is heard dashing on the streets below, "Duty calls." Batman says simply.
"So it does. I could lend a hand." Superman offers.
Batman nearly rejects, but then remembers something, "There's a cargo freighter about 100 miles out into the Atlantic set to come into Gotham later tonight. There's a large shipment of narcotics set to be distributed by the mob. It's been out of my reach so far, but if..."
"Superman were to pay a visit and convince our friends to pull a Gotham tea party?" Superman offered.
Batman smirked, "Something like that."
"I'll see what I can do. Keep up the fight Batman." Superman finishes, then flies off into the setting sun, his triumphant theme playing.
The camera pans in on Superman as he flies away, "Bruce Wayne huh, who would have thought?" Superman says to himself, shaking his head mirthfully as he flies forward to save the day.
Batman smiles at the retreating form of the Man of Steel, "Safe travels Clark Kent." He says, then leaps forward and glides over Gotham, his theme concluding the scene with a powerful finish.
Thus, the DC Universe was born, and cinema was changed for the second, but not the last time by Bruce O'Brian.
