Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman

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Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
Written by	Story: Alan Burnett Screenplay: Michael Reaves
Directed by	Curt Geda Sequence Directors: Jennifer Graves Tim Maltby
Animation by	DR Movie Co., LTD.
Release date(s)	October 21, 2003
Running time	75 min.

Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman is a direct-to-video animated film set in the continuity of The New Batman Adventures. It introduces the characters of Rupert Thorne and Batwoman to The New Batman Adventures. It was released on DVD and VHS on October 21, 2003, and on Blu-Ray on March 12, 2013.

Plot

On one of Gotham's highways, a truck carries a load of crates out of the city, escorted by thugs in a car. Out of nowhere, a jet-like craft piloted by a woman in a Bat-costume lands on the trailer and opens a crate. She takes out one of the high-tech rifles and blasts the thugs' car off the road. The woman then destroys part of the rest of the load, and the truck's co-driver intervenes. They fight, and it attracts the attention of Batman and Robin when a stray shot nearly hits the Batwing. The fight goes the Batwoman's way; she knocks the thug into the river and escaped on her glider. She fired one last shot at the truck, which sends it off the highway. Batman can save the cab and driver. Robin wonders who the woman is, but Batman remains silent as he pilots the Batwing carrying the truck away.

Later that night at Wayne Manor, Alfred Pennyworth posits his theories. The Batwoman could be one of his old enemies taking a new persona such as Catwoman, but Bruce disagrees saying that Selina Kyle has regards for human life, so there is a completely new vigilante running the streets. Bruce likes to know of her motive and why her costume links to his.

Rupert Thorne and Carlton Duquesne visit Beak's Bric-a-Brac to see their partner, the Penguin. The warehouse is actually a hidden weapons factory. Duquesne reports that the shipment had failed due to a Batwoman attacked his men, and doubled his efforts to prevent her from getting the rest. Penguin points out that their clients overseas have already given a half billion dollars for the weapons, if they're not delivered they'll want their money back, so they cannot afford any more delays. So, the rest of the delivery has to be done within the next week.

Kathy Duquesne makes her debut.

He orders Duquesne to get rid of the Batwoman.

At a penthouse, Kathy Duquesne returns from shopping with two of Carlton's men. She meets her father who is on the phone talking about finding the Batwoman. She asks him of who was on the phone, he answered it was business, nothing for her worry about, she leaves him alone in his office. Back on the phone, he orders his men to find the woman and finish her.

On news, people are wondering if Batwoman is Batman's new partner or an adult Batgirl. Reporters asks Commissioner James Gordon, but all he knows that she's not in league with Batman. They asks Harvey Bullock, he thinks that the city has enough bat-freaks already. Bruce and Tim Drake watched the news and got a call from Barbara Gordon, who is doing well in college. She called to let Bruce know that she saw the news and asks about the newcomer with Bruce assured her that he doesn't know who the woman is. Barbara would have been upset because she and Bruce were dating, Bruce faked a signal break and well talk later much to Barbara's confusion.

Rocky Ballantine presents herself.

At Wayne Enterprises, a young woman named Rocky Ballantine giving a presentation for Wayne tech, but she keeps knocking her charts about the progress of the alloy she's working with over. To cut it short, she shows a chunk of metal which can change shape, to a flower, a crystal, a butterfly, and finally, the Statue of Liberty, much to everyone's amusement. At a restaurant, Bruce praises Rocky for her work. Suddenly, the Bat-signal shines in sky. Bruce asks for the check and departs.

Sonia Alcana ready to meet The Dark Knight.

At Gotham Police Department, Gordon, Bullock, and Sonia Alcana are waiting for Batman to arrive. Gordon wanted to show the remains of the weapon from the truck the other night. Batman pointed out that it's a plasma rifle which could take out a tank at 200 yards, but Sonia had corrected to 500 by measured the clip size. They had also found many other weapons, but the driver is having trouble for questioning. Batman sees the key chain Bullock had and has idea of who is behind it. He departs and will get back to them.

Batman and Batwoman become acquainted.

At the warehouse that had the same logo and the key chain, Batman and Robin arrived in the Batmobile looking for some leagues. Inside the factory Batwoman in a hustle with some men, but then outnumbered. Batman and Robin came just in time for back up. They fight off the thugs, but Batwoman had set some charges in a room below them and it went off, destroying the entire warehouse. The heroes escaped. Batwoman revealed that they were making weapons for another country. When she is about to depart, Batman halts her and asks of who she is and whats her motive, but Batwoman brushes him off and tell him to figure it out. She gets away in her batglider, Batman catches it with the Batline, but Batwoman cuts it, Batman use another to land on a building. He sees Batwoman land near Duquesne penthouse. He over hears Carlton getting a report that the warehouse is destroyed. One of Carlton's thug sneaks up on Batman, but he knocks him out, and took out two others. Carlton came out and starts yelling that he and Batwoman gave him enough trouble and tells him to leave, as Kathy hears from her room.

The next morning, Kathy said that she heard a commotion last night, but Carlton stated that is nothing for her to worry about. When she about to go out, Carlton orders his men to go with her until the next couple of days because he's having problems with some people, Kathy meant like her mother's problem, Carlton told her that as long as she is living under his roof, she'd do what he says. She departs with the men. Bruce watches from his limo and told Alfred to follow Kathy's car.

Bruce comforts Kathy.

At the mall, Bruce asks Alfred to wait while he goes in for a watch. Bruce goes up on an escalator and spots Kathy looking through some dresses. When Kathy goes to a dressing room one of guards stated the he miss working for The Joker, with other takes his frustration on a rack. Kathy sneaks by Bruce and asked him out, but they got caught by the guards and attempted to catch them, at the escalator, Bruce halts it sending the guards to crash, then he use an umbrella to stop the rotating door, they get away in Kathy's car. While out on cliff Kathy is surprise that she is out with Bruce Wayne. When Kathy was close to the edge, Bruce told her to be careful, with Kathy said that he reminded her of her mother and cliff was their favorite spot for painting. She sadly told Bruce that she passed away some years ago with felt sorry. Kathy was too close to edge and nearly fell, but Bruce caught her just in time and gazed at each eyes. The bodyguards drove in with another car to pick up Kathy. She gave Bruce the keys and told him he can bring it back sometime or to keep, then she kisses him on the cheek and departs with the guards.

Back at the police department, Batman reports that Batwoman discovered that Penguins factory were making weapons for other countries. Batman thinks that Batwoman is Kathy the daughter of Carlton Duquesne. Remembering of what happen on the assassination 10 years ago, but he was missed and hit his wife instead, leaving Kathy to blame Carlton for what happen. So, they had to keep an eye on her, just to be sure she is Batwoman.

At the Batcave, Bruce looks through photos of Kathy seeing her going through all kinds of sports. Alfred notices a change in Bruce's attitude towards Kathy and becomes suspicious. While Tim is training with the Batarang's, he asks Alfred what's going on with Bruce. Alfred informs Tim that Bruce has developed newfound romantic feelings for Kathy. Tim states "he sure can pick em" and continues training.

Later that night, Batwoman goes to a business building, while she takes pictures at some files, she hears Penguin and Rupert talking about their progress with the weapons, with the factory gone their business is starting to fail and Duquesne approval of being the muscle is going out of place, so Penguin decided to replace him. He sees flashed coming from the other room. Penguin and Rupert sees Batwoman and blinds them and with a flash. While getting into a brief fight, she gets away. Rupert says that anyone Penguin hires is fine with him. Back at Duquense's penthouse, Kathy comes out of a swimming pool, and dries herself, then she her father enrage that Penguin is replacing him, he told his guard to leave, with Kathy hearing it she walks away.

At Rocky's apartment, she shows Tim how to go through a game that none of friends could figure out. Bruce came to let him know that Alfred is waiting. Rocky sees Bruce well dressed cause he's taking Kathy out, he had them meet, Rocky shakes hands saying she was sorry for something she didn't know about. Bullock and Sonia waits out in their car to follow Bruce to the Iceberg Lounge. When took their seats they are greeted by Penguin, which Kathy seems to him. Bruce hadn't seen Penguin when stole plutonium from from one of Bruce's labs, which Penguin remembered his old days. One of the lounge members said that he has a call, Penguin departs. Bruce point out that Kathy is playing a role, Kathy denies this however and goes to the ladies room. At Penguin's office talks on the phone with a friend of his, he gets disturbed by Batwoman.

Batwoman interrogates Penguin.

When he about to reach his umbrella gun, Batwoman throws some metal that restrains him, she questions him who was he talking to, Penguin press a button to call his staff to his office, Bruce sees them and went away. Batwoman finally got her answer from Penguin, he reveals his muscle is Bane. The staff breaks into the office got into a hustle with Batwoman, who is out matched by the two skilled fighters. Penguin use the stars that one of them threw to cut free. Batwoman is then knocked out of the office into the dance floor, this time she knocks down the lounge staffs. Penguin launches a seeking missile at Batwoman, but she avoid it and end up nearly hitting the staff. Bullock and Sonia over heard the commotion, Sonia went in to check it out. Penguin fired another missile almost had Batwoman, but lay helpless, when he is about finish her Batman intercepts. He fights the guards and Batwoman escape. Batman knocks out some of guards, but sees Kathy watching, much to his shock.

A guard hits him with the chair, Batman fell into the pool, Penguin fired more missiles, Batman place a bomb to blowout the pool makes a getaway. Bane sees the mayhem and departs. Bruce escorts Kathy home and was sorry that he suspect something from her and she forgives. Kathy and Bruce are about to share their first kiss until they are interrupted by one of her bodyguards, who informs her that her father wishes to see her. Kathy and Bruce then say goodnight to each other. Kathy leaves, Bruce with a smile on his face.

Batman meets Sonia at a subway. Kathy being Batwoman is dropped. Batman gives Sonia a piece of metal Batwoman use on Penguin. When he is about to depart, Sonia pointed out that Batman saved her life once from fire at her parents shop nine years ago. The arsonists were working for Rupert Thorne, they were part of his protection racket, that is why Sonia decided to be an officer.When train drove by Batman was gone. At the batcave, Bruce found out the alloy is the same kind as Rocky made for Wayne Tech, leading a point that she is Batwoman.

Kevin warns Rocky to stop spying on Penguin.

At Stonegate Penitentiary, Rocky visits her boyfriend Kevin. While he is not doing well, Rocky inform him that their close once they bring down Penguin. Kevin disapproves Rocky's chance to take down Penguin, Rocky assures that she can because she not the wimp she use to be. Kevin said he doesn't want see her anymore, he has 5 more years has to get a parole and for her waiting for him is pointless. Kevin told her don't come again, if she does he won't see her, much to Rocky's grief. Rocky returns to her apartment and met up with Batman. Rocky some combat skills with Batman pointed well for a computer person. Batman had found Rocky's notes on her projects and questions leaving her to think that she is Batwoman. Batman then showed her the same alloy she made for Wayne Tech. Batman knows about her Kevin who was framed from one one Penguin's smuggling and Batwoman did took photo's of Penguin's files, Rocky confessed that she tried to get Kevin's sentence commuted, but denies her being Batwoman. Batman warns her of the role is she's in can get her hurt or worse, Rocky pointed out that she sound just like Kevin, Batman had already left.

Later, Penguin, and Rupert met up with Carlton to a new warehouse, where Batwoman happens to be there. The three men meet Bane who is working out on a weight machine. Bane said in order for their operations to work as plan, they have do it his way, and he will deal with Batwoman himself. Penguin changes plan for the weapons, they will be shipped on a luxury cruise liner and sail tonight, Batwoman hears the whole plan.

At the Batman found out at the night he and Robin saw Batwoman, Rocky was working late at Wayne Tech, so her being Batwoman is out. Alfred thought she a has a way to duplicate herself, Batman then tells Robin to look in the computer and find any connections on Kathy and Rocky, while he makes a house call. Batwoman returns to hideout and has all the plans, she also met Rocky saying that Batman catching her being Batwoman, seeing he will blow their cover. She even said they should made their persona instead of spinning off his, with Kathy agreeing, Batman almost got her. Batwoman assured that he'll think it'll be someone else. Batwoman removes her mask and revealed to be Sonia. Sonia assured her friends that they are close, once their stopped tonight the dealers will put out of commission for good.

At Duquense penthouse, Batman looks around Kathy's room for clues. He goes in another room and finds a sketch book. Robin calls to let him know that are no connections between Kathy and Rocky, but Batman found out there is, they need someone to introduce them to. Back at the hideout, Sonia gives Kathy her mission on the cruise liner and Rocky gives her a detonator, Kathy looks at the news paper of Bruce having her to think of him, she dons the Batwoman suit and proceed with the mission.

She arrives at the cruise just when about to set sail, she places a bomb on a large create, but Bane came out of it and thrown Batwoman onto another create, knocking her unconsciousness. Bane then calls Penguin to let him know that he has Batwoman, Penguin, Rupert, and Carlton departed for the liner.

Batman learns the truth.

Sonia watches the ship from a building, then she is approached by Batman. He found out that she knew Kathy from art classes years ago, then he showed Kathy's sketch book of her in it, proving it. Sonia also knew Rocky from state university, freshman year, same dorm, same floor, same room. All three women had a part in Batwoman, Kathy the money, Rocky the brains, and Sonia the scheme and the will to make it happen. When the fire destroyed her family business, it tore them apart and never recovered, Thorne was the one caused the pain and suffering, but no proof of he done, and Sonia is willing to do the same. Batman pointed that Kathy, Rocky, and Sonia, are Batwomen, it was a matter of disguising voices and took turns, and he pointed out that it almost worked, questions Kathy location. Batman sees that Sonia is about to pull out her gun, but gets a call from Rocky, saying that there are no reports of ships in distress and radioed Kathy, but no respond, with no choice, Sonia asked Batman for help.

Penguin, Thorne, and Carlton arrived in Penguin's speedboat. They meet up with Bane with the disarmed Batwoman and praise him for the capture. Bane removes the mask and reveals the woman to be Kathy, much to the three men's shock. Penguin and Rupert assume that Carlton told them of their plans, which he denies. Bane shows them that she was going to use a carbonite bomb which is powerful enough to take out the entire chamber and more. Carlton questions Kathy about doing this, Kathy says that he made easy for the kind a man he is, for allowing his wife to be killed, turning his house into a prison out of his and a prisoner out of his own child, spreading misery through everything he touches for the worse. Carlton tells her to shut up, and is about to strike her, but catches himself, saying none of it makes sense. Penguin agrees, stating that Kathy was at the lounge the same night Batwoman came. Penguin knows Kathy isn't the only one and questions who else is involved, releasing gas from his umbrella to get her to talk. Carlton tries to stop him, but is held back by the neck by Bane. Just when Kathy is about to give in, Batman arrives just in time to save her. Batman grabs Kathy and uses the batliner to the upper floor. Bane orders the crew to head the ship out to sea. Robin follows in the Batboat, while Sonia and Rocky in Batwoman suits follow in the air, At the chamber, Thorne dismisses Carlton where he states he should have never gotten mixed with them, Penguin agreed, but finds the bomb missing. Bane sees that it's Carlton fault and decides to put him in his place.

At the engine room, Batman gets Kathy out of the cuffs. Before they depart Kathy set the charges, to put an end to weapons deal. Penguin and Thorne are about to get away until the two Batwomen arrive to halt them and questions on Kathy whereabouts. Batman and Kathy head outside and find a beaten Carlton wrapped in chains by Bane and drops him in the pool below. Kathy dives in to save him while Batman confronts Bane. Batman knocks Bane off the edge, while still hold the chain it pulls out Carlton and Kathy out of the pool. The bomb goes off, first explosion caught the Batwomen, when fire reaches the weapons chamber, it creates an even greater explosion. When Rocky's masks and cape catch on fire, she quickly removes it and finds Sonia barely alive. Penguin attempts to run over them with his speedboat, but is stopped by Robin in the Batboat. He takes care of Sonia while Rocky goes after Penguin and Rupert. Bane activates Venom to increase his strength and proves to be more than a match for the Dark Knight, to the point of inuring his rib cage. Batman gets up to a higher level of the ship with Bane in pursuit. Kathy wakes finding herself hanging by the cape from a long fall, Carlton notices her, but crawls away, Kathy believies that he doesn't care about her, but he actually went to get a life float tied with rope to get Kathy out. Penguin and Thorne see the ship sinking, but at least they got away. Just then, Rocky catches them with grappling hooks. Thorne attempt to shoot her down, but misses, Rocky uses a buoy to fling Penguin and Rupert out, capturing them both.

Back at the blazing boat, Batman and Bane continue their brawl. Batman manages to knock over Bane, but Batman has injury to his ribs and is unable to fight at his fullest. He tries to dash away, but Bane quickly grabs him by the cape and throws against the wall. Bane is about to finish him off with a bearhug, Batman pushes against the wall to know down Bane and throws the alloy to restrain him. Bane states that "no bounds can hold him", but much to his surprise it doesn't break. When he struggles harder, the tube of Venom gets cut in half, decreasing his strength. Despite He brakes the alloy and prepares to crush Batman. The ship is about to crash, Batman escapes, leaving Bane to get caught in the crash. Bane tries to hang on, but falls into the fire pit bellow. Batman is about to lose his grip on the batliner, but Sonia flies in and saves him. They fly with Rocky and see Kathy and Carlton on a boat. At the mainland, Gordon and Bullock see Batman and Sonia. Bullock shocked to discover that Sonia is Batwoman and she requests that she should do the report.

Romance blossoms for Bruce and Kathy.

At the police department, Sonia has resigned from the force and decided to relocation herself. Batman gives Sonia exculpatory evidence that should release Kevin from prison. Sonia thanked him, but he already left. At the prison gateway, Kathy is saddened that her father is in prison for his crimes. He is going to testify against Thorne and Penguin. Rocky sees that he must had hated his life just like Kathy hated hers, which is right. Kathy gives Rocky a hug. Kevin is released from prison and is happily reunited with Rocky. Kathy walks away and sees Bruce with her car. He came to return the car and to see her, saying he missed her, but Kathy pointed out that was the old her, and the new her is seeking a better life, with only the occasional explosion. Bruce smiles and drives off.

Continuity

• The events in this film take place before the flashback in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, even though Robin is portrayed slightly older here than in the other film.
• This film marks Rupert Thorne's only appearance since the revamp.
• Rupert Thorne previously hired Bane for kill Batman in the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Bane".
• Sonia Alcana seems to have replaced Renee Montoya as Harvey Bullock's partner. Strangely, Sonia wears similar clothing: grey pants, black top, and a shoulder holster.
• The conversation that Barbara Gordon has on the phone with Bruce explores the relationship between Bruce and Barbara; this notion was first introduced in the Batman Beyond episode "A Touch of Curaré". Here Barbara is shown having romantic interests towards Bruce, which makes him uncomfortable, also Tim and Alfred's lack of surprise implies this isn't the first time Barbara's made a pass at Bruce.
• Bruce tells Penguin the last time they met, he stole plutonium from Wayne Labs and threatened to blow up Gotham City. This happened off-screen, presumably sometime before the revamp.
• Though Bane fell to his apparent doom, it has already been revealed in the Batman Beyond episode "The Winning Edge" that he survived, although any reason was given.

Background information

Production notes

• In this movie, the Batsuit has received a slight redesign—all its black parts have received highlights, similar to Batman's Justice League design.
• Although it uses character models from the series, the animation style used in this film is slightly different to that of The New Batman Adventures.

Production inconsistencies

• During the fight between Bane and Batman aboard the S.S. Naiad Batman's leg is overlapped by Bane's face.
• Kathy Duquesne's name is misspelled "Duquesnes" on the Bat-computer.
• During the fight between Batwoman and the weapons traffickers at the start of the film, the tailing car's windscreen is broken by Batwoman, but then is mysteriously whole again in the next few takes, only then to become broken again, and then break again a separate time when the car rolls over

Trivia

• The bat symbol used by Batwoman, which resembles the one used on Terry McGinnis's Batsuit and Justice Lord Batman's batsuit, is used by the current Batwoman in mainstream comics.
• The Duquesnes live in the Tarnower Building, which was introduced in the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Mudslide".
• This movie boasts the final DCAU appearances of Rupert Thorne and Penguin. It is also Bane's final appearance production-wise (chronologically, he would appear again in the Batman Beyond episode "The Winning Edge").
• The song that plays during the Iceberg Lounge scene and the ending credits is "Betcha Neva" by the French singer Cherie from her self-titled debut album. Consequentially, she voices the unnamed and uncredited Iceberg Lounge singer.

Cast

Actor	Role
Kevin Conroy	Batman/Bruce Wayne
Kimberly Brooks	Kathy Duquesne
Kelly Ripa	Rocky Ballantine
Elisa Gabrielli	Sonia Alcana
Kyra Sedgwick	Batwoman
David Ogden Stiers	The Penguin
Kevin Michael Richardson	Carlton Duquesne
John Vernon	Rupert Thorne
Hector Elizondo	Bane
Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.	Alfred
Eli Marienthal	Robin/Tim Drake
Tara Strong	Barbara Gordon
Bob Hastings	Commissioner Gordon
Robert Costanzo	Detective Bullock
Timothy Dang	Kevin (uncredited)
Chad Einbinder	Additional voices
Phil Hayes	Additional voices
Sal Lopez	Additional voices
John Mariano	Additional voices
Andrea Romano	Additional voices
Shane Sweet	Additional voices
Sean Patrick Thomas	Additional voices

Uncredited appearances

• Diaz
• Jay, Lark and Raven

Quotes

Robin: Haven't seen her around the Batcave.

Bruce Wayne: The last thing Gotham City needs is a vigilante running amok. Alfred: As they say on the streets, "I ain't touchin' that one."

Penguin: Batman, Batgirl, Batwoman. What is it about this city, the water?!

Rupert Thorne: Duquesne says he can handle the bat-broad. Penguin: She almost killed Batman, for heaven's sake! Normally, I would find that commendable, but now it just proves that Duquesne is out of his league. We need some real muscle...

Bane: I knew sooner or later we would face each other, Batman. I prayed for it. Batman: This ship is going down in less than a minute, Bane. Bane: That's all the time I need.

External links

• Movie Review on World's Finest
• Movie Review on ToonZone