The Dark Knight The Reaper?

[Paste Pot Pete]

Now, this is an enormous stretch. I don't even believe it myself; but I figure at this stage, speculation is still a fun passtime. And since most avenues have been discussed ad nauseaum, I figure I'd bring up a figure that hasn't been mentioned around these parts in a looong time...

The Reaper.

He was wildly rumored in the early stages of preproduction Begins speculation. Chalk most of this up to a love interest named "Rachel" - which was enough to start some fanboy gears going. But it's been so long since those days, I don't even recall...was there any other basis for this rumor?

I really do wonder, however. Was the name Rachel pulled out of thin air? There are two instances that make me believe Goyer & Nolan were influenced by the Reaper stories.

In "So Shall Ye Reap," Bruce seems intent on killing Joe Chill. He draws a gun on him...before The Reaper steps in and does the deed himself. The chance to take Chill's life is taken away from Bruce in Begins too, by a Falcone hitwoman. It seems to me to be a blend of this Reaper story, and of course, the original Chill death story in Batman #47.

Another similar scene I noticed is the final scene of the Reaper story "Full Circle," - Batman tosses the gun into the river. Well, I don't think I need to explain that one.

I don't even like the Reaper stories that much, but they have left an indelible mark on Batman history (well, actually.. that's not literally true since they're not even canon)...but you know what I mean. It inspired Mask of the Phantasm, which has gotta count for something.

I'm just thinking that, if there was any credibility to past rumors, now would seem the time for the Reaper to make an appearance.

- Rachel's back for an important reason (most likely something with Dent, but whatever)

- We don't know anything about Rachel's father. His absense, and her strong sense of justice and apprehension against violent revenge could be saying something. The fact that she accepts Bruce as Batman is a testament to the huge difference between him and a bloody, murderous vigilante like her "father," the Reaper.

- It was "Year Two" and TDK is, for all intents and purposes, year two.

- Escalation. We've already heard about amateur vigilantes running around. The ramped-up violence and disorder in Gotham would be reason for old Judson to want to get back on the streets.

Again, all B.S. I'm sure, but I'm bored.

 

[Paste Pot Pete]

I hate my computer. If someone can close one of these cloned pieces of crap, thanks?

 

[The Only Woj]

I figured he chose 'Rachel' because that was the name of the love interest in Blade Runner.

 

[Paste Pot Pete]

I figured he chose 'Rachel' because that was the name of the love interest in Blade Runner.

Makes sense. I'm not that familiar with the movie.

 

[kenellard]

unless TDK is gonna be a series on HBO they've got more than enough returning and new characters already

 

[Victarion]

If we ever saw The Reaper, I would hope that it would be Talia under the mask...er, hood.

 

[Nepenthes]

Well suffice to say it's not gonna happen, but we can still talk about it....


I don't think the Reaper should be Rachael. Rather than be tragic it would just devalue what we've already seen of her morals and character, and we already have Two-Face in an almost identical role, the good guy/buddy/lawyer gone twisted and out for revenge

Adding Catwoman would be much better then the Reaper. She's already quite similar while bringing something more unique to the story. You could play up her revenge angle and she'd be a nice counter to Two-Face in movie3, two characters out for vengeance and Batman in the middle trying to convince them otherwise. Catwoman would be the one he manages to save.

 

[Victarion]

Thing is, we've already seen Catwoman. Reaper, on the other hand, has never been in a live action film. It would be a chance to introduce Talia Al-Ghul. Talia could become the Reaper to help Bruce beat back the escalation. Her motive is simple: she loves Bruce, and doen't want Ra's coming back to Gotham to take care of things himself.

 

[Nepenthes]

But everyone and I mean everyone wants to see Catwoman again. Compared to a skull-person with a blade (oooh!)....it's no contest.

 

[Victarion]

I dunno about that. Big scythe>S&M whip any day of the week. I'd rather a new rogue love interest, anyhow. Tim already did Selina, and quite well, might I add.

 

[Matis17]

I'm not in to bringing in the Reaper. The whole "big apparently manish costumed guy turns out to be a woman" thing always feels ridiculous and and unrealistic. Especially in live action.

 

[Nepenthes]

besides the average movie-goer isn't that impressed with skulls and blades anymore. Catwoman = sex on two legs with leather and whips and that trumps everything.

Big scythe>S&M whip any day of the week.

Sounds like you take your games to a whole other level

 

[bunk]

Like you said, it's not canon. So I wouldn't be for it.

 

[Two-Face]

Thing is, we've already seen Catwoman. Reaper, on the other hand, has never been in a live action film. It would be a chance to introduce Talia Al-Ghul. Talia could become the Reaper to help Bruce beat back the escalation. Her motive is simple: she loves Bruce, and doen't want Ra's coming back to Gotham to take care of things himself.

Talia as The Reaper?? no no I rather see Catwoman. If Talia has to be introduced in TDK or Batman 3 I want to see her as Talia not Ra's/Ducard type of a thing it's a same thing as BB in Ras/Ducard.

 

[Darknightnomis]

"Year two" was a travesty in compasrison to the great "year one".

I actually burned the TPB after I read it.

 

[The Dark Guybrush]

Batman: Year Two is probably the single most deplorable Batman story I have ever read. EVER.

so says.. THE REAPER!!

 

[itsthebatman]

Batman: Year Two is probably the single most deplorable Batman story I have ever read. EVER.

so says.. THE REAPER!!

You clearly haven't read Gotham County Line. Man ,that was cack.
Year Two wasn't that bad. Some great Todd McFarlane art.

 

[Brian Braddock]

I always preferrred the Alan Davis' art over McFarlanes' but ,hey, that's just me- Personally, I feel it's a shame that he wasnt able to stay on the book.

Anywhoo, as one of the few folk who actually thought the Reaper was a pretty cool character:-

I'd love to see him in TDK but as someone mentioned in a previous post, there are well enough characters in the movie already.

I'd say that I'd like to see him in a further sequel but given Batman's wealth in terms of rogues; there are a few more, long-standing villains who deserved to be given screen time.

 

[Ryan227]

Well suffice to say it's not gonna happen, but we can still talk about it....


I don't think the Reaper should be Rachael. Rather than be tragic it would just devalue what we've already seen of her morals and character, and we already have Two-Face in an almost identical role, the good guy/buddy/lawyer gone twisted and out for revenge

Adding Catwoman would be much better then the Reaper. She's already quite similar while bringing something more unique to the story. You could play up her revenge angle and she'd be a nice counter to Two-Face in movie3, two characters out for vengeance and Batman in the middle trying to convince them otherwise. Catwoman would be the one he manages to save.

I also have loved the Selina/Bruce dynamic as far as a relationship goes. I think that's one thing they tried in BR but I think they can go farther with it. Also, by the time BB3 come out WB will be ready to bring Catwoman back to make up for that Halle Berry mess....

 

[COMPO]

I'd like to see some of the minor villians that we've neevr seen before you knwo ones from the seventies like the white ghost guy.