|
Post by Anarky on Dec 14, 2010 10:25:04 GMT -5
Well, I guess I should start out by saying hello to everyone. I used to post at this board awhile ago as Anarky, Etrigan and Cardiac and it is good to be back. So, I guess I should go ahead and spit out the story idea, huh.
As many know, after Batman was "broken" by Bane during the Knightfall saga, he chose Jean Paul Valley to inherit the mantle of Batman instead of Dick Grayson. Bruce Wayne justified his selection by arguing that Dick's nature would compel him to engage Bane directly in combat, where he too would be "broken." Thus, Jean Paul Valley took over the role of Batman, defeating Bane, but tarnishing Batman's reputation among the Gotham Police and other superheroes. That is what actually happened.
But, what if Bruce Wayne had chosen Dick Grayson instead of Jean Paul to take over the role of Batman after his defeat? How would things have been different? I already have an idea of how this plot can play out, but first I want to see what the interest level in such a plot is. I also want to hear input from those who would be interested in participating in such a storyline.
I think this is a pretty good plot to pursue, as the board already has several characters who were active in the Knightfall storyline, including heroes (Batman, Commissioner Gordon, Dick Grayson, Tim Drake) and villains (Anarky, Joker, Poison Ivy,etc.). The main problem, of course, is that there is no Bane and no Jean Paul (Azrael). If enough interest is expressed in this storyline, I could take on Bane and Azrael, as I only have one character. That said, I feel a lot more comfortable playing as Bane and would not mind if someone else wanted to play as Azrael.
So, if anyone is interested, please respond here.
|
|
|
Post by Starfire on Dec 14, 2010 14:07:01 GMT -5
Welcome back.
Sorry to say but there is a huge flaw in this.
We do not have a Dick Grayson active on the board. The character is on the reserve list, under a member who has been too busy to be in play.
And as he would end up being a main figure in this, I see that as a huge problem.
|
|
|
Post by Dawn on Dec 14, 2010 16:26:25 GMT -5
I see one alternative option.
Since this is a what if? and not a regular timeline plot, IF you set it ahead enough for Tim to be old enough to take the bat-mantle, And IF our Robin is interested in playing the role, you could cut out Dick completely.
Also: You can send Red Arrow a PM. He stops in extremely randomly, and sometimes with long periods in between, I do not know how long you'd be waiting to hear back from him. Red Arrow has reserved the rights to play Nightwing, so he's the player you would have to contact.
it is vaguely possible that if someone COULD play Nightwing under NPC, it would be allowed. But since the character is on reserve, that comes with special stipulations. If Red Arrow were to show in the middle, and want to take over, it would be his right, and the person trying to help would have no say in it. (doesn't give allot of incentive to help in this form)
But... with Nightwing being so integral to this plot, that's something that would take allot of time to accomplish. The player hasn't been seen in months, and if he came to the board today, he has not signed Nightwing up, or gone through the approval process.
But, the way I see the board situation, those are the only options I can suggest.
|
|
|
Post by Anarky on Dec 14, 2010 19:56:42 GMT -5
Thank you for the input. I had Pm'd Red Arrow already, but I didn't realize he was such an infrequent player. I am going to PM some of the other major players in this storyline to gage their interest before making any major changes to the plot. I'd prefer to wait for a response for Red Arrow, but alternative plot routes can be taken if necessary.
I like your idea about Tim Drake, Dawn. I was also considering altering the story to focus on what would've happened had Jean Paul lost to Bane in their battle. Jean Paul was inexperienced at the time he fought Bane, so that outcome was/is a real possibility and could take the focus off of Dick Grayson. Then a few possibilities emerge as to who would/could become Batman, including Tim Drake.
|
|
|
Post by Dawn on Dec 15, 2010 0:53:05 GMT -5
Glad you're open to ideas.
I have another idea to help you get replys sooner.
Give the board a list here, of who you have pmed.
I see you mentioned Poison Ivy up above, I play her. I don't check her account often.
Many of our players have multiples they don't get to, unless they are alerted to check it.
So a list of who you pmed, might help response come back to you quicker.
|
|
|
Post by Anarky on Dec 15, 2010 11:31:08 GMT -5
Good idea. Those characters who have been Pm'd are:
Batman Robin Red Arrow James Gordon Joker Mr. Freeze Poison Ivy
|
|
|
Post by Poison Ivy on Dec 15, 2010 16:29:40 GMT -5
I am open to join the plot. But there is a slight issue. I've never read this story in the comicbooks. I don't really know what it's about.
And since it's a What If? it doesn't even have to go in line with the board's timeline, or the comics...
So, what was my role in the original story?
What would you want me to do for your story?
I'm willing to be in this one. But I'll need direction to keep up with what is going on.
|
|
|
Post by James Gordon on Dec 15, 2010 16:39:25 GMT -5
I have read your plot idea for What if?...Knightfall story on the board. I really don't have much insight or any suggestions as what has already been mention and I'm more than willing to help and work with you on the plot.
As mention by Posion Ivy I have not read this story arch
What was my actual role in the story also what would you like from me to do for your story?
I'll also need insight to keep up with what is going on with the plot.
|
|
|
Post by Anarky on Dec 16, 2010 3:16:26 GMT -5
Wow, that was fast. Well, I guess I'll start out by giving a brief synopsis about the Knightfall storyline. In Knightfall, a super-villain by the name of Bane travels to Gotham City for the purpose of defeating Batman and seizing control of the city. Bane believes Batman to be the "demon bat" he has seen in his nightmares for a very long time. Upon reaching Gotham, Bane breaks the inmates out of Arkham Asylum, thereby forcing Batman to personally bring down each and every one of these villains. While Batman is successful in doing so, his mind and body are physically exhausted. When confronted by Bane in the Batcave, Batman is no match and has his back broken by Bane. Consequently, Bruce Wayne retires from being Batman and selects Jean Paul Valley to be his heir instead of Dick Grayson. Jean Paul eventually fights and defeats Bane, but grows increasingly violent, thereby tarnishing Batman's reputation with the GCPD and other heroes. Eventually Bruce Wayne's back is healed via paranormal means and he retakes the mantle of Batman from Jean Paul in a decisive confrontation. Regarding the roles of each character, I guess I'll start with Poison Ivy. Poison Ivy didn't have a large role in the original Knightfall, but served as a villain whom Batman confronted. Thus, I was thinking she could act as a a foe faced by the new Batman in the What If? storyline. So, Poison Ivy may not need to be active for a little while, as the breaking of Batman and the selection of a new Batman would probably need to occur first. Essentially, she would act as a test for the new Batman to endure. The foes the new Batman faced recognized him as an impostor, if that helps any. Commissioner Gordon plays a larger role. He was present throughout the entire original Knightfall storyline. He ran into conflict with the new Batman over his violent tactics and poor detective work. He also began to notice that the new Batman was an impostor. I would think he would occupy a similar role in the What If? storyline. Basically, he would consult regularly with the new Batman throughout the plot, eventually discovering that the person whom he is consulting is not the real thing. How he would react to this development is up to you. He could embrace the new Batman, try to run him off, etc. The question of course, is who the new Batman would be if it's not Jean Paul Valley. Dick Grayson was the other major candidate after Bruce Wayne's defeat. That said if Red Arrow cannot participate, we could alter the story to make Tim Drake the chosen one. I know this sounds like a lot of info (and work), but Knightfall was probably the largest Batman story arc of the 1990s.
|
|
|
Post by Batman on Dec 18, 2010 14:23:45 GMT -5
Well, I'd be happy to help out with this plot...though honestly, I don't see alot for me in it. In the actual Knightfall arch I'd left Gotham, so I don't see much for me to do in the game aside from appointing a replacement Batman. Still, if you have something in mind for me, just let me know and I'll help you out Amusingly, I Have Read the Knightfall storyline...I'm just not in it very much
|
|
|
Post by Anarky on Dec 20, 2010 11:35:07 GMT -5
You're correct, Batman. You won't have a particularly large role. As you mentioned, Batman would primarily be in this storyline to appoint the new Batman and occasionally interact with him. Your deductive skills are superb. Also, Red Arrow has returned my PM and stated that he was willing to participate in the plot line as Dick Grayson, so it looks like we are almost ready to be off and running. I'd like to wait until after the holidays to start the storyline, so as to give a little more time for some of the villains I PM'd to either respond to me or respond here (and so no posters feel rushed). We need probably one more villain in order to get started. As for Bane, I'll go ahead and put in a character bio for him.
|
|
|
Post by Two-Face on Dec 21, 2010 23:25:19 GMT -5
If you are needing an extra villian to fatten out the plot some, I can throw Two-Face into the mix.
I've read most of the Knightfall arc, and although Harvey was captured prior to Batman facing Bane, he could still get involved.
|
|
|
Post by Anarky on Dec 23, 2010 10:53:57 GMT -5
You are certainly welcome to join the storyline. In fact, having a top tier villain like Two-Face involved would be excellent. I wouldn't worry about the fact that Two-Face was captured in the original Knightfall story arch. This is a What If? scenario, so our story doesn't have to match the real Knightfall's outcome piece for piece.
So, it now seems we have enough villains to get started. Like I said in an earlier post, I'd like to wait until after the holidays before starting the storyline, so no one feels rushed and the others who received PMs have a chance to respond. The Bane character bio was approved, so we're good to go there as well.
Would anyone be interested in playing Jean Paul? I could play him as an NPC, but if someone else wants to, they are more than welcome. P.S. Thanks to Bats for the nice sig.
|
|
|
Post by Batman on Dec 23, 2010 14:19:47 GMT -5
I can cover Azrael. Always wanted a shot at writing him
|
|
|
Post by The Joker on Dec 23, 2010 17:23:59 GMT -5
When the Bats away the Joker does play I am willing to jump in at any point I am needed even if it is towards the end just let me know
|
|