It's a bit of a cliche that superheroes 'create' their supervillain adversaries, often by provoking them to revenge or to envy of the hero's powers. This is an interesting example of a villain 'creating' the hero to oppose him, by defining Bruce's helplessness so precisely that he only leaves Bruce one option...

I think it's interesting how this dialogue from Falcone was reflected upon in The Dark Knight as well. Even after Bruce becomes the infamous Batman, he still has so much to lose. We see that when the Joker killed his "lady friend from the DA's office."

That's a keen observation, Debbie. We do tend to think of Bruce Wayne becoming Batman as being tied fundamentally to the death of his parents by a criminal, and that is, of course, true. But as you note, it's like Falcone 'throws down the gauntlet,' almost daring, intentionally or otherwise, Wayne to get to know the Dark Side. "This is a world you'll never understand." A line with so many levels of meaning...

Jordan, makes you think that Goyer and Nolan had already projected that Rachael would die in TDK. The tragedy of her death works in so many ways, and perhaps the deepest pain for Wayne: He tried to 'escape' his role as Batman so he could live a 'normal' life. But even Rachael knew that would never happen.

They made the animated version of Year One and released it last year, and it looked great. I don't see how one would stray from the original story to the point you describe. Probably some penguins getting in the way and attempting to create toy tie-ins.... The summoning the bats from the cave scene was virtually intact in Batman Begins, although the circumstances were changed to make it more visual for the big screen. Remember the 80's when Lucius Fox didn't know that Bruce Wayne was Batman? I know I do.

I wouldn't put it past them. They're masterful storytellers. It makes me nervous for Alfred this weekend.

Thank you for liking my suggestion. I was afraid that I was the only one liking this line; that it would be considered too long. Often when I write a little longer line I get comments about its length. This in some ways "proofs" that a long line might be just the thing needed.