The Gotham Project

**The Gotham Project** is a journal kept by Batman during his war on crime.

## History

### First Year

Bruce Wayne began his journal titled *The Gotham Project,* when his crusade began against crime in Gotham City under the moniker and vigilante Batman.

### Second Year

A whole year after journaling his experiences as the embodiment of vengeance, Bruce documents his experiences on the night of Halloween, and his incognito appearance within the people of Gotham during the event. That same night, Mayor Don Mitchell Jr. is murdered by a serial killer, leading Batman to visit the crime scene, and ultimately making him question his effect on the city in his diary.

After the catastrophic events caused by the Riddler and his followers whom flooded the city with the help of denotating the Gotham Seawall, Bruce begins to aid the civilians of Gotham along with the National Guard and writes that he must become more than just a symbol of vengeance as it can't help him or anyone else, but instead a symbol of hope for the people.

## Entries

### Year One

* **Autumn**
	+ *"I'll take on the city's criminals alone so I won't put anyone else at risk. I'll need a disguise. I'll have to hide my face to people from recognizing me. A mask? And I'll need protection, like a bulletproof vest that covers my whole body. Made out of strong material-something highly durable. But, it'll have to be flexible, so I can't fight while I'm wearing it. Wayne Industries?*"
	+ *"Tonight, I'll start. I'm ready.*"

### Year Two

* **October**
	+ *"Thursday, October 31st. The city streets are crowded for the holiday. Even with the rain. Hidden in the chaos is the element waiting to strike like snakes. But I'm there too. Watching. Two years of nights have turned me into a nocturnal animal. I must choose my targets carefully. It's a big city. I can't be everywhere. But they don't know where I am. We have a signal now. For when I'm needed. But when that light hits the sky, it's not just a call. It's a warning. To them. Fear... is a tool. They think I'm hiding in the shadows. But I am the shadows. I wish I could say I'm making a difference, but I don't know. Murder, robberies, assault. Two years later, they're all up. And now this. The city's eating itself. Maybe it's beyond saving. But I have to try. Push myself. These nights all roll together in a rush, behind the mask. Sometimes in the morning, I have to force myself to remember everything that happened."*
* **November**
	+ *"Wednesday, November 6th. The city is underwater. The national guard is coming. Martial law is in effect; but the criminal element never sleeps. Looting and lawlessness will be rampant in the parts of the city no one can get too. I can already see things will get worse before they get better; and some will seize the chance to grab everything they can. I'm starting to see now. I have had an effect here. But not the one I intended. Vengeance won't change the past. Mine. Or anyone else's. I have to become more. People need hope. To know someone's out there for them. The city's angry. Scarred. Like me. Those scars can destroy us. Even after the physical wounds have healed. But if we survive them .. They can transform us. They can give us the power, to endure. And the strength to fight.*"

## Trivia

* The notebook is a CIAK Classic Notebook A5 and the pen used is a Cross Classic Century Refillable Gel Ink Rollerball Pen.

## References

Reeves, Matt & Craig, Peter (writers); Reeves, Matt & Clark, Dylan (producers); & Reeves, Matt (director) (March 4, 2022). *The Batman*.