Here is the problem with cyberspace: some people will make an educated guess about an uber-popular franchise and other websites will support that guess and run it on their websites until it is like rapid fire. In the case of the third installment of Batman, ‘The Dark Knight Rises‘, the educated guess is that the film will follow “The Prey,” which is a five part storyline and part of the issues of “Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight.” It is a perfect storyline to tell when Batman has left off.
In “The Prey,” Batman is still an inexperienced hero and tried to work around his situation with the Gotham City Police. Jim Gordon is assigned to bring Batman in Police custody and handpicked Max Cort to be his assistant. However, Cort has a deep-rooted hatred against Batman. The villain, Hugo Strange, is a psychiatrist and a member of the Mayor’s Vigilante Task Force, poring over police files to unearth Batman’s real identity. Strange got a friend with Max Cort and transformed him into a masked vigilante known as Night Scourge who has no problem killing in order to get the job done.
Strange and Scourge kidnapped the Mayor’s daughter and put the blame to Batman. When the confrontation between Batman and Strange ensue, Strange gassed him with a hallucinogen that brings back memories of his parents’ murder that made Strange realize that Bruce Wayne is Batman. Batman escaped Strange and went back to his manor only to find Strange’s psychological trap. Batman spent time in the Batcave, confining himself then finally decided that his best option is to prove his innocence.
On the second confrontation with Strange, Batman got a recorded confession that clears his name and Strange disappears in the Gotham Harbor, escaping the law. Batman faced the Night Scourge in a long battle before Cort is gunned down by the police. The series ended with the Mayor disbanding the Vigilante Task Force and Batman helping out the Gotham Police.
“Prey” is a significant part of the Batman story and provided background to Batman’s many firsts. It is quite odd to add “Catwoman” in the story as she does not serve the story in any significant way and it is easier to scrape her altogether. I think that “The Prey” is not th best way to end the franchise. Apart from the inaction of Catwoman, the villains are not that strong. We think that Nolan is brewing something more special than this one.