Batman The Cult

Batman: The Cult
This is the first film in the New DC Animated Universe 2, and serves as the conclusion to phase one and takes place during Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight season 2 and 3. It is a loose adaption of the 80's comic of the same name but with slight differences to make it more kid friendly and adhere to the universe created. For example Dick Grayson is robin instead of Jason Todd. A follow u film will be produced for the universe titled Green Arrow framed set to release after this one. This movies also ties to the season 5 premiere of Batman as it is revealed Deacon Hellfire from that episode is follower of Black Fire who wished to continue Black Fires plan of cleansing the world for God.

Production
The film was created to give this universe a new film and to explore the effect Batman has on Gotham. The Cult story was chosen to show how corrupt Gotham remains even after Batman and to have a story where Batman can be broken and vulnerable. Batman was chosen first due to his popularity.

Cast
Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne/ Batman

Neil Patrick Harris as Dick Grayson/Robin

Martin Jarvis as Alfred Pennyworth

Ben McKenzie as Gordan

Troy Baker as Deacon Black Fire

Nolan North as The Penguin

Grey De isle as Selina Kyle/Catwoman

Bryan Cranston as Mayor Grange

Mitch Pileggi as Governor Leonard Strauss

Tara Strong as Holly

Steven Blum as Father Hellfire

Plot
At a political rally for Governor Strauss' reelection, Bruce Wayne and his ward Dick Grayson are talking with the Governor and Mayor about the rise of Gotham's homeless population when they are interrupted by Gotham's new upstart religious figure Deacon Reginald Black Fire who wishes to help the city with the homeless problem. As they talk, Gordan is called away when a lead on a arms deal by Penguin requires his attention, which Bruce and Dick also excuse themselves to join Gordan as Batman and Robin. At the Dock Gordan's men are outgunned by Kasian mercenaries and Penguin's goons, but the tide is quickly turned by Batman's timely intervention. At the same time a group of random homeless sneak onto the scene and still several crate of weapons from Penguin. As Batman continues patrol where he runs into Catwoman who says something strange is happening in Gotham and that she is looking for her old childhood friend Holly who went missing. Batman agrees to keep an eye out as Catwoman makes her getaway. The next day Bruce meets with Strauss, who is an old friend of Bruce's from high school, and thanks Bruce for his help in his reelection. Bruce again talks about the homeless problem, but also mentions how he has heard of the increased disappearance of some as well in the last week since the fundraiser. Strauss tells Bruce not to worry and leaves for meeting with a new benefactor, Deacon Black Fire. Several months pass and Gotham has virtually no homeless and Governor Strauss has easily won reelection. At the same time Deacon Black Fire has positioned himself as major voice in cleaning up Gotham and the state and is close advisor of Strauss. Meanwhile another chance encounter with Catwoman in search of her friend leads Batman to suspect something larger is going on and that some one is responsible for missing homeless people and he believes Strauss is involved. After breaking into Strauss's office, Batman begins to suspect the disappearances to be linked to sudden arrival of the mysterious Black Fire. Batman infiltrates Black Fire's mission where is knocked and captured by Holly, who is now under the control of Black Fire. After several days, Alfred and Robin get worried about Bruce; begin to going searching him and Robin reluctantly teams up with Catwoman as she suspects that Black Fire is hiding something very sinister behind his holy demeanor. Meanwhile Black Fire has several of his men rob the remaining weapons from the Gotham evidence locker room from the penguin's deal. As they do that, Black Fire, slowly tortures a captured Batman slowly chipping away at his mind and turning him into another member of his "Church". Batman's mind begins to slip and after several weeks of torture, Batman is under Black Fire's control along with Holly and thousands of Gotham's homeless. At the same time Strauss confronts Black Fire about the stolen Penguin Weapons and Black Fire reveals that Strauss was a puppet for Black Fires true plan to cleanse the city and the state and with the resources Strauss provided and with his army of homeless people and stolen weapons he is ready to take his cleansing to the next phase of his plan and unleash his cult on Gotham. Black Fire has Strauss killed and begins sending his followers, including Holly (which Selina witnesses) to kill high ranking Gotham politicians and socialites and leads and army of his followers to take over the city forcing Gordan and Grange to vacate the city. With the city under Black Fire's control, the national guard is called to isolate the city until a plan can be formulated to take the cult down. Robin and Catwoman capture Holly and manage to break her conditioning from Black Fire and learn that Black Fire has Batman and plans to extend his ideals of justice beyond Gotham's shores. Meanwhile Black Fire has his most devote follower Father Hellfire watch over Batman as they assault Arkham and provide holy justice to its inmates. Catwoman and Robin lead the protection of Arkham and manage to drive back Hellfire and recapture Batman and take him back to Wayne Manor. After days of aiding Batman in breaking Black Fire's control, Batman still shaken by his experience joins up with Selina an Dick to push on City Hall and defeat the Deacon. As Batman prepares to reclaim the City, Black Fire who senses his defeat near sends Hellfire and several other followers out of the city to keep his message alive and return when the lord calls to them to show themselves again. Batman, Robin and Catwoman infiltrate city hall and take on hundreds of Black Fires' followers. After a lengthy Battle, Batman pursues Blackfire into the sewers where the two enter a theological debate on good and evil. After beating Blackfire in combat, his followers enraged seemingly maul the deacon the death as Batman walks away. Several months later (one month before the season 3 premiere of Knight fall) Bruce confronts Selina on the rooftops. Selina mentions how Holly is still suffering from her ordeal and is curious how Batman is doing ,but he doesn't respond as disappears to answer the bat signal. In a post credit scene, Father Hellfire, now going by Deacon Hellfire, has set up a monastery miles out of Gotham and has several of his followers working on a new way to carry out Black Fire's plan for the future.