The Dark Knight ARG: The Novelization

[StorminNorman]

This is a new pet project I am considering starting.

I would love to set the project in novel form.

Ideally I would like to tell the story from the point of view of a few different characters (a lowly thug recruited by the Joker), (a idealistic Gotham politico and college friend of Dent who tries and succeeds to persuade Harvey Dent to get into the race), and (a Gotham City teen who has grown up in the Narrows and is inspired by Gotham's Dark Knight to join CoB).

Knowing me and my work schedule - I know I can't do this alone.

Anyone who enjoys (and is good at) writing - and has a great grasp of the ARG mythos - who wants to possibly help out, I would greatly appreciate it.

Drop me a PM and add me on AIM - StorminNormanTho

I don't know how often I will be on AIM for a while, but I check the hype daily.

 

[StorminNorman]

Also - I would like to add one more character - Glenn Barhyte.

So I guess I would ideally like three writers (one for each character), and few people that wouldn't mind proof reading and editing.

I have no problem writing any of the four - if it comes to it I will write all four - but give me an idea of which character you would like to do as well.

 

[AutoDecept]

This sounds like a cool idea. It's like we're making our own prequel to The Dark Knight.

 

[quara33]

Oh this'd be awesome!! I would love to join in!

What might be fun is if we do 6 'interlocking' stories kinda like the Gotham Knight DVD movie

Edit: one perspective we're missing is the mob angle..maybe a waitress at rossi's? (maybe she starts out at Betty's house of pies and moves to another restaurant each time there's a shooting)

 

[danb26]

Tell you what people, it's bloody hard work! I did a very small one for my dissertation and final BA work...BUT...go for it!!

Well worth it!!

 

[baTT]

So you basically want to make a side story that follows along the events that happened in the virals?

 

[Dark Sentinel]

Norman...you are a motherf****ing GENIOUS!!!!

i'd love to help man, seriously!

 

[Majic Walrus]

That really does sound like a great idea. Anyone considered making it a comic adaptation?

 

[Dark Sentinel]

So you basically want to make a side story that follows along the events that happened in the virals?

i think it should be more of a fictionalized account of the virals, told through a character's perspective (or in this case, three)

if no one's called dibs already, I'll write Zeke Dalwinter's story (the kid who owns the Maiden Avenue Report)..i could come up with some awesome stuff for him.

 

[Dark Sentinel]

ideas for the title:

Why So Serious? A Gotham City Story
Tales of Gotham
Why So Serious: Escalation

ooo i really like the last one

 

[FrankieSuicide]

Ill throw me hat into the ring. Id love to help.

 

[AutoDecept]

I'd love to help out with this. I'm not sure how good of a writer I am, but I have nearly memorized on the ARG plotline and would like to work on it in some way, particularly with the Joker storyline.

 

[Dark Sentinel]

I'm already writing my part. I call it "Zeke Dalwinter, Reporting"

 

[batman11]

Wow. This is actually a really riveting idea. Good thinking Norman. I'd love to help out if possible.

 

[Dark Sentinel]

Leave it to Norman

anyway, here's my story thus far:

Why So Serious: Escalation

ZEKE DALWINTER, REPORTING
by Jeff Shanley

March 26​

Wow, wow!! I’ve never heard Mom scream so loud in my life! She opened up the Gotham Times today and my site, the Maiden Avenue Report, was mentioned. It was a blurb on the second page, barely a mouthful. But two words stood out: must-read. I didn’t think my little pride and joy would get that kind of a reception...

I guess I should fill you in on my story, because it’s the story of the Maiden Avenue Report as well. See, I’m in a journalism class at GPHS 113. I’ve been in it since middle school. Now, I’m a sophomore. My 8th grade journalism teacher, Mr. Boyle, told me once that “As you get further up, you’re gonna hit rougher bumps, Zeke. You have to be five steps ahead of the rest. Journalism is a cutthroat game, so use your pen as a sword.” Of course, I decided that a keyboard was better. The clicking makes it more of a machine gun than a sword.​

Anyway, I’m getting off topic. So, when I was younger I was a real snitch, especially when it came to Evan, my older brother. I’d get him in all kinds of trouble. But it reached somewhat of a boiling point, with both Evan and my folks. Luckily, my dad (who’s usually got my back) mentioned the journalism class at GMS 128 (my old middle school). This was back when I was just getting out of 5th grade.​

“It’ll be good for him, Steph,” he said (my mom’s name is Stephanie, but you sure as hell won’t here me call her that). “He obviously likes to get the scoop, so let’s let him put that to good use.” Mom eventually gave in. Way to go, Dad.​

Mr. Boyle was an awesome teacher. He saw my “gusto” (as he called it, not quite sure what that means) and showed me how to put it to good use. He also taught me how important it was to have contacts:​

“A good reporter can get the facts from anywhere, but a great reporter can get the facts from anyone,” was his saying. Never thought that would be so useful. I started helping out city workers: trash collectors, mailmen, Radio Shack security guards, anyone I thought could give me a heads-up on whatever was going on. What I found was that I really liked the weird stuff...which is how I landed in the “tabloid” genre I guess...​

Crap, getting off topic again, sorry. Anyway, I’ve built up my rep through middle school. Usually, that doesn’t mean jack once you enter high school, but I wasn't your typical fresh-meat. My contact list has grown, and let me tell you, I have some real heavy hitters to my name. For one, there’s this old security guard at City Hall, Hank...damn, what’s his last name? Hank... Pratt? Yeah, that’s it. Anyway, he’s gotta be a hundred and three or something, and he’s the first face you see when you enter City Hall. It’s kinda cool, gives it that “welcome to Wal-Mart” kind of feel.​

 

[Dark Sentinel]

Oh this'd be awesome!! I would love to join in!

What might be fun is if we do 6 'interlocking' stories kinda like the Gotham Knight DVD movie

Edit: one perspective we're missing is the mob angle..maybe a waitress at rossi's? (maybe she starts out at Betty's house of pies and moves to another restaurant each time there's a shooting)

so who do we have so far?
EDIT: Nevermind, saw Norman's post at the top haha. That Narrows teen who joins CFB looks mighty tempting too..but i'm having fun with Zeke's perspective on things

EDIT 2: I'll play around with the Narrows kid. dark-witness is one of the guys on the CFB forums, and i have a feeling they modelled his name from mine..not trying to sound cocky, but it'd be cool to write a "Gothamized" version of me, so i may dabble a bit and see which one i like better

 

[ArkhamInmate]

I'd definately be willing to write part of this, it sounds like an amazing idea guys. I'd being willing to write about any character, so just uh let me know?

 

[The Denialist]

A similar project was proposed on a Nine Inch Nails message board that I post on, back when Year Zero was released and 42 were doing the ARG for that. A bunch of us tried to do a graphic novel based on the ARG. It was split up into three volumes, and a group of several artists and writers were assigned to each chapter. At at first things were looking really great, but eventually it all fell apart. It was just too huge of a project to take on. Here is the sub forum for it, if anyone is interested.

It would be cool to actually see this project come to fruition.

 

[StorminNorman]

so who do we have so far?
EDIT: Nevermind, saw Norman's post at the top haha. That Narrows teen who joins CFB looks mighty tempting too..but i'm having fun with Zeke's perspective on things

EDIT 2: I'll play around with the Narrows kid. dark-witness is one of the guys on the CFB forums, and i have a feeling they modelled his name from mine..not trying to sound cocky, but it'd be cool to write a "Gothamized" version of me, so i may dabble a bit and see which one i like better

I am good with any character - I just want to make sure there is enough meat there to tell a full story, but of course that can come from your own take on the character as much as the material we have from 42.

While I certainly want those four characters to be done - I have no problem with other characters as well.

I have a vision set for how I want one "book" set and structured. I will share that with the writers when I have them.

If you want to write - just submit me a few paragraphs about the character you want. Who is he? What type of man? What are his strengths and flaws? Give him some flesh.

I think the possibilities are endless - we could easily have two, three, four of these "books" - each telling three or four stories each.

Hell - the Bank Manager from the Prologue would be interesting as well.

 

[ross2287]

I have no idea how this will work, but I'm a decent writer so I'll offer my services...maybe as an editor if anyone wants them.

 

[ross2287]

(an idealistic Gotham politico and college friend of Dent who tries and succeeds to persuade Harvey Dent to get into the race)

If no one wants to take this one, I'll consider doing it too. I'm picturing a kind of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas story...kind of.

 

[Dark Sentinel]

I am good with any character - I just want to make sure there is enough meat there to tell a full story, but of course that can come from your own take on the character as much as the material we have from 42.

While I certainly want those four characters to be done - I have no problem with other characters as well.

I have a vision set for how I want one "book" set and structured. I will share that with the writers when I have them.

If you want to write - just submit me a few paragraphs about the character you want. Who is he? What type of man? What are his strengths and flaws? Give him some flesh.

I think the possibilities are endless - we could easily have two, three, four of these "books" - each telling three or four stories each.

Hell - the Bank Manager from the Prologue would be interesting as well.

yeah, i'm gonna give the Narrows kid a shot too

 

[Tyler1451]

Am I too late? I love writing, and I'm good at it.

 

[StorminNorman]

Awesome - just drop me a PM. Give me a summary of a character you would like to write about.

 

[batman11]

Hell - the Bank Manager from the Prologue would be interesting as well.

If no one else wants this, I'd love to write about him. Not only would I be able to play a cool part, but I'd be playing William Fichtner. Hell yeah! t: