Bing writes... Gotham: Boiling Point (Part 3)

All great movies deserve trilogies. No, that's actually not true. And, conversely, there are a ton of bad movies that get trilogies, as well. Whether you think our Gotham Gone Cold series has been amazing or horrendous, we decided to give it the trilogy treatment and wrap up this AI-fueled narrative with one final tale.

For this final chapter of the Gotham Gone Cold series, we wanted the AI to make a detective thriller with Renee Montoya working with Alfred Pennyworth and the antihero Red Hood (Jason Todd) to avenge the death of Batman in The Final Freeze. We also hinted that Batman had miraculously survived his fate at the end of the last movie and was being held prisoner by The Penguin. We asked it to write a couple puns for Red Hood, as well as a conversation between Montoya and Red Hood for the scene when they realize they need to team up. We also asked it to cast actors for new characters, include several Easter eggs throughout the film and dedicate the movie to someone special.

As you've come to expect, everything that you are about to see and read (other than minor alterations in brackets and a tiny blurb at the end of the post) was created by AI. Enjoy!

Gotham: Boiling Point

Starring:

Rosario Dawson as Detective Renee Montoya

Taron Egerton as Red Hood

Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth

Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman

Colin Farrell as The Penguin

with

Louis Gossett Jr. as Lucius Fox

featuring

Idris Elba as Deadshot

Michelle Yeoh as Lady Shiva

Florian Munteanu as KGBeast

Ana de Armas as Copperhead

and

Robert Pattinson as Batman

Two years after the events of The Final Freeze, Gotham City is in a state of chaos and anarchy. The GCPD is corrupt and ineffective, the crime rate is skyrocketing, and the citizens are living in fear and despair. A mysterious vigilante known as the Red Hood has emerged, who kills criminals with extreme brutality and leaves behind a red hood as his calling card. He claims to be the successor of Batman, who is believed to be dead after sacrificing himself to stop Mr. Freeze and Nora Fries from freezing the world.

However, not everyone is convinced that Batman is really gone. Renee Montoya, who has become a private detective after leaving the GCPD, is determined to find out the truth about Batman’s fate. She believes that he may still be alive and that someone is hiding him from the public. She teams up with Alfred Pennyworth, who has also become a detective after losing contact with Bruce Wayne, and who shares her suspicions. They also enlist the help of Lucius Fox, who has been secretly working on a device that can track Batman’s vital signs.

Meanwhile, the Penguin has risen to power as the new crime lord of Gotham City. He has taken over the Iceberg Lounge, a former nightclub that he has turned into his headquarters and fortress. He has also captured Batman, who miraculously survived the explosion but was severely injured and weakened. He keeps him prisoner in a secret basement, where he tortures him and experiments on him with various drugs and devices. He plans to use Batman as a bargaining chip to gain more influence and wealth in the criminal underworld.

The Penguin also has a rivalry with the Red Hood, who he sees as a threat to his empire. He hires a team of assassins to kill him, including Deadshot, Lady Shiva, KGBeast, and Copperhead. The Red Hood manages to evade them and fights back with his own arsenal of weapons and gadgets. He [fights his way into the Iceberg Lounge to confront] the Penguin.

While fighting Penguin's minions, he throws a grenade at them and says, "Hey, guys. Have a blast!" He then laughs as the grenade explodes and sends them flying. [Upon reaching the] lounge, he discovers Batman's presence and tries to rescue him.

However, the Red Hood's true identity is revealed to be Jason Todd, the former Robin who was killed by the Joker years ago and resurrected by Ra's al Ghul using the Lazarus Pit. He blames Batman for his death and for failing to avenge him by killing the Joker. He also blames him for abandoning Gotham City and leaving it in ruins. He says that he is not here to save Batman, but to kill him.

Montoya and Alfred arrive at the lounge as well, after following a clue left by Fox before he was killed by one of the Penguin's men. They witness the confrontation between Batman and the Red Hood, and they try to intervene. They plead with Jason to spare Bruce's life and to remember their bond as allies and friends. They also tell him that Bruce loved him like a son and that he never gave up on finding him.

Montoya: Who are you? And why are you killing these people?

Red Hood: I’m the Red Hood. And I’m killing them because they deserve it. They’re scum who work for the Penguin. They’re ruining this city.

Montoya: Well, I’m Renee Montoya. And I’m a detective who works for justice. And you’re breaking the law. You can’t just go around murdering people. That’s not how we do things.

Red Hood: Oh, really? And how do you do things? By following the rules and playing nice with the corrupt cops and politicians? By letting the criminals get away with their crimes and walk free? By watching Gotham City burn and do nothing?

Montoya: No, by finding evidence and arresting the criminals. By putting them on trial and sending them to prison. By working with the good cops and the good people. By protecting Gotham City and making it better.

Red Hood: Ha! That’s a joke. You know that doesn’t work. You know that the system is broken. You know that the only way to deal with these [ba*****s] is to make them pay. With blood.

Montoya: No, I don’t know that. I don’t believe that. I believe that there is another way. A better way. A way that doesn’t involve killing and violence. A way that Batman taught me. [I have a plan.]

Red Hood: A plan? What kind of plan?

Montoya: A plan that involves you and me working together as a team.

Red Hood: A team? You want me to work with you?

Montoya: Yes, I want you to work with me. Because we have a common goal and a common enemy.

Red Hood: And what is that?

Montoya: To save Batman and save Gotham City.

Red Hood: …

Montoya: So, what do you say? Are you in or out?

Red Hood: …

Montoya: Come on, Red Hood. Don’t be a jerk. Be a hero.

Red Hood: …

Montoya: Please.

Red Hood: …Fine. I’m in.

Montoya: Great. Let’s go then.

Red Hood: But don’t expect me to play by your rules.

Montoya: And don’t expect me to play by yours.

Red Hood: Fine.

Montoya: Fine.

Jason is conflicted by their words, but he still holds a grudge against Bruce. He says that he can't forgive him for what he did and what he didn't do. [However,] Jason hesitates and lowers his gun. He says that he can’t kill Batman, even though he hates him. He says that he still remembers the good times they had together as partners and mentors. He says that he still cares about him, despite everything.

Batman thanks Jason for sparing his life and tells him that he is sorry for what happened to him. He says that he never stopped looking for him and that he never stopped loving him. He says that he is proud of him for becoming a strong and brave fighter. He says that he wants him to join him and his allies in saving Gotham City from the Penguin and his army.

Jason agrees to help Batman and apologizes for his actions. He says that he was angry and confused and that he wanted revenge. He says that he realizes now that killing is not the answer and that he wants to redeem himself. He says that he wants to be a hero again.

They hug each other and reconcile.

[Batman, Jason, Montoya and Alfred] fight their way through the lounge and reach the basement, where they find the Penguin holding Catwoman hostage. He says that he captured her when she tried to sneak into his lounge and that he plans to use her as a bargaining chip to escape. He also reveals that he has rigged the lounge with explosives and that he will blow it up if anyone tries to stop him.

Batman tells the Penguin to let Catwoman go and to surrender peacefully. He says that he has no chance of escaping and that he will face justice for his crimes. He also says that he knows his real name: Oswald Cobblepot.

The Penguin is enraged by Batman's words and says that he hates his name and his past. He says that he was born into a wealthy family but was rejected by them because of his deformity. He says that he ran away from home and lived on the streets, where he learned how to survive and thrive in the criminal underworld. He says that he became the Penguin because he wanted to create his own identity and destiny.

He then shoots Catwoman in the stomach with his gun.

Batman is shocked and furious by this act of violence. He charges at the Penguin and tackles him to the ground. They engage in a brutal hand-to-hand combat, while Montoya, Alfred, Jason, and Catwoman watch from the sidelines.

Batman gains the upper hand and beats the Penguin mercilessly. He is about to deliver the final blow when Catwoman stops him. She tells him not to kill the Penguin and to spare his life. She says that killing is not their way and that they are better than him.

Batman listens to Catwoman's words and calms down. He lets go of the Penguin and handcuffs him. He then rushes to Catwoman's side and tries to stop her bleeding. He tells her that he loves her and that she will be okay.

Catwoman smiles weakly and tells him that she loves him too. She says that she is glad that they found each other again. She then loses consciousness.

Batman calls for help and asks Montoya to call an ambulance. He also asks Alfred to disarm the explosives and Jason to secure the area.

The movie ends with a scene of Gotham City being restored to order and peace as Batman and his allies defeat the Penguin's forces and free the city from his tyranny. Montoya becomes the new mayor of Gotham City after exposing [her political opponent's] corruption and winning the election. Alfred becomes her chief of staff and advisor. Jason becomes her personal bodyguard and protector.

Batman visits Catwoman at the hospital, where she is recovering from her wound. He tells her that she is a hero and that she saved his life. He also tells her that he has a surprise for her.

He takes her to Wayne Manor, where he reveals his true identity as Bruce Wayne. He says that he wants her to live with him as his partner and lover. He also proposes to her with a diamond ring.

Catwoman accepts his proposal and kisses him passionately.

They hug each other tightly.

The final scene shows Bruce's grave at Wayne Manor, where a rose is placed on his tombstone by Alfred, who has faked Bruce’s death to protect his secret identity. He says "Goodbye, Master Bruce. You have done well." He then notices a bat-shaped signal in the sky, which is activated by Fox as a tribute to Batman. He smiles and says "Hello, Batman. You have done well."

The screen fades to black as the credits roll.

*****

[During the credits, viewers can see various teasers and Easter eggs, including the following:]

• A newspaper headline that says "The Joker Escapes from Arkham Asylum," hinting at a possible sequel with the Clown Prince of Crime as the main villain.
• Graffiti on a wall that says "The Question Lives," referencing the mysterious and enigmatic superhero who is a friend and ally of Renee Montoya in the comics.
• A billboard that advertises Ace Chemicals, the company where the Joker fell into a vat of chemicals and became insane in some versions of his origin story.
• A radio broadcast that mentions Metropolis and Superman, implying that Gotham City is part of a larger world where other superheroes exist.
• A postcard from Nightwing, who is Dick Grayson, the first Robin who became his own hero in Bludhaven, a neighboring city of Gotham. He writes "Miss you, B. Hope you’re doing well. Love, D."

This movie is dedicated to Adam West, who played Batman in the 1960s TV series and movie. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 88. He was a beloved and iconic actor who brought joy and humor to millions of fans around the world. He was also a mentor and friend to many other actors who played Batman after him. He is remembered as the Bright Knight, the original and the best Batman.

THE END

*****

Critical reception of Gotham: Boiling Point:

Gotham Boiling Point [has a] 86% [score on Rotten Tomatoes,] based on 167 reviews, with an average rating of 7.8/10. The critics consensus reads: "Gotham: Boiling Point brings the Batman trilogy to a satisfying and explosive conclusion, with a brilliant cast, a clever plot, and a shocking twist that will leave fans speechless." The audience score is 91% based on 4,789 ratings, with an average rating of 4.6/5. The audience says: "A masterpiece of storytelling and action that honors the legacy of the Dark Knight and his allies, Gotham: Boiling Point is a must-watch for Batman fans and newcomers alike."

*****

Gotham: Boiling Point is Part 3 of an original Batman trilogy:

Gotham Gone Cold | The Final Freeze | Gotham: Boiling Point

And that's all she wrote, as the saying goes! That'll do it. What did you think of our first foray into long-form, AI-driven storytelling? Were you satisfied with the conclusion? Is this something you'd like to see more of? What would you like to read next? Let us know by leaving us a comment below, following us on Twitter (here and here) or looking us up on Facebook.

Until next time.

Bing AI writes... The Final Freeze (Part 2)

Fresh off of the success of Gotham Gone Cold, we asked Bing AI to write a sequel called The Final Freeze. We asked it to include Batman as a main character and have a conclusive ending. We also asked it to give Batman a cool new gadget and propose some "hilarious temperature puns" to be recited by Mr. Freeze. Additionally, we asked AI to provide any interesting DC Comics Easter eggs, give Alfred a profound quote and to give the movie a composer. As we did with the first movie, we'll also give the movie a Rotten Tomatoes score so you know how it did with critics and fans. We will try to stitch all of that information into this story as seamlessly as we can. We'll hop in at the end to hype the third and final film in this incredible trilogy, so stay tuned for that, as well.

Everything you are about to see and read was generated by artificial intelligence. Enjoy!

The Final Freeze

Starring:

Robert Pattinson as Batman

Benedict Cumberbatch as Mr. Freeze

Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman

Rachel McAdams as Nora Fries

with

Louis Gossett Jr. as Lucius Fox

Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth

Rosario Dawson as Detective Renee Montoya

and

Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Jim Gordon

Original Score by

Michael Giacchino

Five years after the events of Gotham Gone Cold, Batman has become a recluse, haunted by the death of his parents and the revelation of his father’s involvement in the virus that turned people into ice zombies. He has isolated himself from his allies and the public, focusing only on his crime-fighting mission. However, he is forced to come out of his shell when he learns that Mr. Freeze and Nora Fries have escaped from [their high-security medical facility] and are planning to unleash a new and more powerful version of the virus that will freeze the entire world.

[Meanwhile...]

[As] Mr. Freeze [...] is escaping from [the medical facility,] he encounters a guard who tries to stop him. [Freeze] says, "Sorry, pal, but I have to break the ice with you. Literally!" He then smashes the guard’s head with an ice pick.

Batman teams up with Catwoman, who has remained loyal to him despite his coldness. [As] Batman and Catwoman are investigating the clues, they find a map of Gotham City with several locations marked with question marks. One of the locations is a building called "The Iceberg Lounge," which is a reference to the Penguin's nightclub and headquarters in the comics. Another location is a street called "Crime Alley," which is where Bruce Wayne's parents were killed in the comics. A third location is a park called "Robinson Park," which is named after Jerry Robinson, one of the co-creators of the Joker in the comics.

[Batman and Catwoman align themselves with Jim] Gordon, who has become the new commissioner of the GCPD. They also enlist the help of Lucius Fox, who has developed a device that can counteract the effects of the virus. They track down Mr. Freeze and Nora Fries to an abandoned ice factory, where they have built a massive cryogenic cannon that can launch the virus into the atmosphere.

Batman confronts Mr. Freeze and Nora Fries, who reveal that they have become obsessed with creating a frozen utopia where they can live in peace and harmony. They say that they blame Batman for their misery and suffering, as he failed to save them from Deathstroke and the virus. They also say that they have discovered that Thomas Wayne was not only involved in Project Frostbite, but also in the murder of Bruce’s parents, as he hired Joe Chill to kill them and make it look like a robbery gone wrong.

[Returning to Wayne Manor,] Batman is shocked and devastated by this revelation, as it destroys his last shred of hope and faith in his father. He realizes that his entire life has been based on a lie and that he has been fighting for a cause that was tainted by his father’s sins.

Alfred [Pennyworth] [approaches] Bruce after he learns the truth about his father’s involvement in the virus and the murder of his parents. He says "Master Bruce, I know this is hard to hear, but you must not let this destroy you. You are not your father. You are your own man. You have done so much good for this city and for yourself. You have overcome so much pain and darkness. You have become a symbol of hope and justice. You have become the Batman. And no one can take that away from you. Not even your father."

[Despite Alfred's efforts to calm Bruce, the Dark Knight] loses his will to fight and surrenders to Mr. Freeze and Nora Fries, who prepare to execute him with their cryogenic cannon. [As Victor] is about to shoot Batman, he says, "I hope you’re ready for a cold shower, Batman, because it’s time to chill out!" He then laughs maniacally.

However, at the last moment, Catwoman intervenes and saves Batman from certain death. She tells him that she loves him and that she believes in him. She says that he is not defined by his father’s actions, but by his own choices and values. She says that he is still a hero and a symbol of hope for Gotham City and the world. She urges him to fight back and stop Mr. Freeze and Nora Fries before it is too late.

Batman regains his courage and determination, thanks to Catwoman’s words and support. He joins forces with her, Gordon, Fox, and the GCPD to stop Mr. Freeze and Nora Fries from launching their cryogenic cannon. They engage in a fierce battle with them and their army of ice zombies.

[While fighting Catwoman, Freeze quips,] "Nice coat, Catwoman. Is it real fur? Because it looks like you could use some cooling off!" He then blasts her with his freeze gun.

Batman [equips a new type of] thermal batarang to fight Mr. Freeze and his ice zombies - it is a modified version of his signature weapon that can emit a burst of heat or cold upon impact, depending on the setting. It can be used to melt or freeze objects and enemies, creating openings for attack or escape. Batman manages to reach the cannon and disable it with Fox’s device, preventing the virus from spreading.

However, Mr. Freeze and Nora Fries are not willing to give up their dream. They decide to activate a self-destruct mechanism that will detonate the cannon and create a massive explosion that will freeze everything within a large radius. They say that they would rather die together than live in a world that rejects them. [Freeze stares down Batman and Catwoman and snarls,] "You two are really getting on my nerves. You know what they say: if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the freezer!"

Batman tries to reason with them, saying that they can still be cured and live a normal life. He says that he understands their pain and loneliness, as he has felt it himself. He says that he forgives them for what they have done and that he hopes that they can forgive him too. He says that they are not enemies, but victims of a cruel fate.

Mr. Freeze and Nora Fries are moved by Batman’s words, but they say that it is too late for them to change their minds. They say that they have made their choice and that they are ready to face the consequences. They bid farewell to Batman and embrace each other as the countdown reaches zero.

Batman realizes that he cannot stop them from killing themselves, but he can still save everyone else. He decides to sacrifice himself by staying near the cannon and using his body as a shield to absorb most of the blast. He tells Catwoman, Gordon, Fox, and the GCPD to get away as fast as they can. He also tells Catwoman that he loves her too and thanks her for everything.

Catwoman refuses to leave Batman behind, but he insists that she must live on for both of them. He says that she is his true love and his reason for living. He says that she is his final hope.

The movie ends with a scene of Gotham City being saved from the explosion by Batman’s heroic act. Catwoman mourns Batman’s death along with Gordon, Fox, Alfred, Montoya, and other allies. They honor Batman’s memory by erecting a statue of him in front of Wayne Manor. They also vow to continue his legacy and protect Gotham City from any future threats.

The final scene shows Catwoman visiting Batman’s grave at night. She places a rose on his tombstone and whispers, "I’ll always love you, my Dark Knight." She then notices a bat-shaped signal in the sky, which is activated by Fox as a tribute to Batman. She smiles and says "Goodbye, my Batman." She then puts on her mask and leaps into the night, following the signal.

The screen fades to black as the credits roll.

TO BE CONTINUED... in Gotham: Boiling Point!

*****

Critical reception of The Final Freeze:

The Final Freeze [has a] 79% [score on Rotten Tomatoes,] based on 145 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The critics consensus reads: "The Final Freeze raises the stakes and the temperature for Batman and his foes, delivering a thrilling and emotional sequel that balances action and drama." The audience score is 84% based on 3,567 ratings, with an average rating of 4.3/5. The audience says: "A stunning and heartbreaking movie that explores the depths of love and sacrifice, The Final Freeze is a worthy follow-up to Gotham Gone Cold and a fitting tribute to Batman."

*****

The Final Freeze is Part 2 of an original Batman trilogy:

Gotham Gone Cold | The Final Freeze | Gotham: Boiling Point

Things are building toward an epic finale, but until then, leave us a comment below, follow us on Twitter (here and here) or hit us up on Facebook.

Until next time.

Bing AI writes... Gotham Gone Cold (Part 1)

Here at The Underground, we love Batman movies, so we asked Bing AI to write us an original plot of a new movie set in Matt Reeves' Batman universe about an unexpected team-up between the Gotham City Police Department and an antihero version of Mr. Freeze called Gotham Gone Cold. The results were... remarkable.

Everything you're about to see and read, from the images to the casting and the entire plot of the film, was created by artificial intelligence (other than a quick little blurb by us at the end, as well as a few minor adjustments and clarifications that we put in brackets), so it's gonna get a little wild at times, but we'll be darned if we weren't on the edge of our seats while reading it.

Enjoy!

Gotham Gone Cold

Starring:

Benedict Cumberbatch as Mr. Freeze

Rosario Dawson as Detective Renee Montoya

Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke

Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman

with

Rachel McAdams as Nora Fries

Louis Gossett Jr. as Lucius Fox

Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth

and

Jeffrey Wright as Lieutenant Jim Gordon

In the aftermath of the Riddler's reign of terror, Gotham City is plunged into a new crisis: a mysterious virus that turns people into ice zombies. The Gotham City Police Department (GCPD) is overwhelmed by the outbreak and the rising crime rate. [Lieutenant] Jim Gordon suspects that the virus is somehow connected to Victor Fries, a former cryogenics scientist who became the notorious criminal Mr. Freeze after a tragic accident that left his wife Nora in a frozen state.

Meanwhile, Batman is missing, presumed dead or captured by the Riddler. His allies, Alfred Pennyworth, Lucius Fox and Catwoman, are trying to find him and restore order to the city. They discover that Fries has been secretly working on a cure for his wife and the virus, using his own blood as a key ingredient. However, he has also been hunted by a ruthless mercenary named Deathstroke, who wants to steal his research and weaponize it for his own agenda.

Fries manages to escape Deathstroke's attack and contacts Gordon, offering to help him stop the virus in exchange for protection and resources. Gordon reluctantly agrees, seeing Fries as the lesser of two evils. He assigns Detective Renee Montoya to work with Fries and keep an eye on him. Montoya is skeptical of Fries' motives and methods, but she also develops a sympathy for his tragic situation.

As Fries and Montoya work together to find a cure and distribute it to the infected, they face various obstacles and enemies, [including] Deathstroke's army of mercenaries[.] They also encounter Catwoman, who tries to persuade them to join her in finding Batman. Fries refuses, saying that he only cares about saving his wife and ending the virus.

However, Fries soon learns that his wife is not as frozen as he thought. She has been secretly awakened by Deathstroke, who has manipulated her into believing that Fries is the one who caused the virus and that he has abandoned her. Deathstroke plans to use Nora as a bait to lure Fries into a trap and take his blood. Nora agrees, hoping to end her suffering and get revenge on her husband.

Fries falls for the trap and confronts Deathstroke and Nora at an abandoned warehouse. He is shocked and heartbroken to see his wife alive but hostile. He tries to explain himself and convince her that he loves her and that he has been working on a cure for her. Nora doesn't believe him and attacks him with her own ice powers, which she has developed due to the virus. Fries fights back in self-defense, but he is overpowered by Deathstroke.

Montoya arrives with backup from the GCPD and Catwoman. They engage in a fierce battle with Deathstroke's forces. Montoya manages to reach Fries and free him from Deathstroke's grip. She tells him that she trusts him and that they can still save Nora and the city. Fries thanks her for her help and friendship. He then injects himself with a syringe containing his blood mixed with the cure. He hopes that this will make him immune to Nora's attacks and allow him to heal her.

Fries approaches Nora and embraces her. He tells her that he loves her more than anything and that he is sorry for everything that has happened. He asks her to forgive him and come back with him. Nora feels his warmth and sincerity. She realizes that she has been lied to by Deathstroke and that Fries is still her husband. She apologizes to him and returns his love. They kiss passionately.

However, their reunion is cut short by Deathstroke, who shoots [Victor] in the chest with a bullet coated with his own blood. He says that he has anticipated Fries' move and that he has infected himself with the virus as well. He claims that he is now stronger than ever and that he will use Fries' blood to create an army of ice zombies under his command. He says that he will destroy Gotham City and then take over the world.

Fries falls to the ground, mortally wounded. He tells Nora that he loves her one last time before dying in her arms. Nora cries out in grief and rage. She unleashes a powerful blast of ice energy that freezes Deathstroke and his men solid. She then collapses next to Fries' body.

Montoya rushes to their side and checks their pulses. She finds out that they are both still alive, but barely. She calls for an ambulance and hopes that they can be saved.

The movie ends with a scene of Gotham City being restored to normalcy after the virus is cured. Lieutenant Gordon gives a speech to the GCPD, praising their bravery and dedication. He also mentions Fries and Detective Montoya, saying that they have shown him that there is still hope and humanity in Gotham. He says that he is proud of them and that he considers them heroes.

The final scene shows [Victor] and Nora in a hospital room, both in comas. They are hooked up to machines that keep them alive and stable. Montoya visits them regularly, bringing them flowers and cards. She tells them that they have done a great thing for the city and that they deserve a second chance at happiness. She says that she will always be their friend and that she hopes that they will wake up soon.

The screen fades to black as Montoya whispers, "Gotham gone cold, but not for long."

In a shocking post-credits scene, [Batman is shown conversing with The Riddler, played by Paul Dano]. The Riddler reveals that he was a former employee of Wayne Enterprises, who worked on a secret project called "Project Frostbite," which was funded by Thomas Wayne [and resulted in] the creation of the virus that turned people into ice zombies.

The Riddler claims that Thomas Wayne was a corrupt and greedy businessman, who wanted to use the weapon to blackmail and eliminate his rivals and enemies. He also says that Thomas Wayne was responsible for the accident that turned [Victor] Fries into Mr. Freeze and put Nora in a frozen state, as he tried to sabotage Fries' research and steal his work.

Batman is shocked and enraged by this revelation, as it shatters his image of his father and his motivation for becoming a vigilante. He [returns to Wayne Manor and] confronts Alfred, who confirms that Thomas Wayne was indeed involved in Project Frostbite, but says that he was not aware of its true nature and purpose. Alfred says that he kept this secret from Bruce to protect him from the pain and guilt.

TO BE CONTINUED... in The Final Freeze!

*****

Critical reception of Gotham Gone Cold:

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the score of Gotham Gone Cold is 82% based on 123 reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The critics consensus reads: "Gotham Gone Cold delivers a thrilling and satisfying [cinematic experience], with a stellar cast, a gripping plot, and a surprising twist that will leave fans breathless." The audience score is 88% based on 2,345 ratings, with an average rating of 4.4/5. The audience says: "A must-watch for Batman fans and newcomers alike, Gotham Gone Cold is a masterpiece of storytelling and action that honors the legacy of the Dark Knight and his allies."

*****

Gotham Gone Cold is Part 1 of an original Batman trilogy:

Gotham Gone Cold | The Final Freeze | Gotham: Boiling Point

Keep it here at The Underground for more in this unforgettable tale of tragedy and heroism. But, for now, let us know what you thought about this installment of AI entertainment by leaving a comment below, following us on Twitter (here and here) or by using your detective skills to find us on Facebook.

Until next time.

Bing AI writes epic Batman/Walking Dead crossover

We took to Bing's new AI chat to tackle a monumental task in the world of pop culture. We asked it to write a short story about a Batman/"The Walking Dead" crossover event.

In a matter of seconds, here's what it came up with:

**The Dark Knight of the Dead**

Batman was on patrol in Gotham City when he received an urgent message from Alfred. He switched on his communicator and heard his butler's voice.

"Master Bruce, I'm afraid I have some bad news. There's been a global outbreak of a virus that turns people into flesh-eating zombies. The authorities are calling it the walker virus. It's spreading fast and there's no cure."

Batman felt a chill run down his spine. He had faced many threats before, but nothing like this. He asked Alfred how he was doing.

"I'm fine, sir. I've barricaded myself in the Batcave with enough supplies to last for a while. But I'm worried about you. You need to get out of the city as soon as possible. It's not safe here."

Batman looked around and saw chaos and panic everywhere. People were running and screaming, cars were crashing, buildings were burning. He saw some zombies shuffling towards him, their eyes glazed and their mouths dripping with blood.

He knew Alfred was right. He had to leave Gotham and find a safe place to regroup and plan his next move. He activated his Batwing and flew away from the city.

He decided to head towards Atlanta, where he had heard there was a CDC facility that might have some answers. He hoped to find some survivors there, or at least some clues on how to stop the virus.

He arrived in Atlanta after a few hours of flying. He scanned the area and saw that it was overrun by zombies as well. He spotted the CDC building and landed on the roof. He entered the facility and searched for any signs of life.

He found a few corpses, but no one alive. He checked the computers and found a video message from a scientist named Dr. Jenner. He played the message and watched as the scientist explained what he knew about the virus.

He said that it was a mutated form of rabies that affected the brain and reanimated the dead. He said that everyone was infected and that death was the only trigger. He said that he had tried to find a cure, but failed. He said that he had lost hope and that he was going to end his life.

He said that he had rigged the building to explode and that anyone who was watching this message should get out as fast as they could. He said that he was sorry and that he hoped someone would find a way to survive.

The message ended with a countdown timer that showed 10 seconds left.

Batman cursed and ran towards the exit. He barely made it out before the building exploded behind him. He got on his Batwing and flew away from the blast.

He realized that he had wasted his time coming here. There was no hope in Atlanta. There was no hope anywhere.

He decided to keep flying until he found somewhere safe to land. He hoped to find some other survivors who might have some idea on how to deal with this apocalypse.

He flew for several hours until he saw a prison in the distance. He decided to check it out. Maybe there were some people there who could help him.

He landed near the prison gate and got off his Batwing. He approached the gate cautiously and saw a group of armed people standing behind it.

They pointed their guns at him and shouted at him to identify himself.

Batman raised his hands and said in a calm voice:

"I'm Batman."

Yeah, we're speechless, too. 

Playstation Wrap-Up 2022

It is finally time for one of my most anticipated blogs of the year - Playstation Wrap-Up! Checking out Playstation's annual breakdown of my time spent playing video games is always an exciting and largely shameful experience, but it's always one that I look forward to. This year's results provided a few big surprises and shook up my Top 5 in a way that hasn't happened in years. Let's take a look, shall we?

Editor's note: When this blog was originally published on December 28, 2022, it was based on Playstation statistics as of December 22. Playstation later refreshed its data to reflect stats through the end of the year, so an updated version of the blog was made on January 3, 2023, to present the more accurate information.

Total Hours:

I've always been skeptical of the number of hours Playstation says I spent playing - it's a well-documented concern. This year's total hours are just a bit higher than in 2021, so even if the numbers aren't 100 percent verifiable, at least they're consistent.

My console generation scale is leaning slightly toward the PS5, but I can confirm that I spent quite a while cleaning up completion percentages on PS4 games this year, so that seems about right.

Overall, I have no considerable issues with the calculations thus far. Let's move on.

Games Played:

That's a lot of games. I mostly attribute this to my habit of going back and playing old games that I haven't touched in a few years to try to boost my overall completion percentage, even if it means I play it one time for 45 minutes to get a trophy really quickly then never touch it again for the rest of the year.

Top Five Games:

Ok, I knew I played a lot of WWE 2K22 this year; there was no debating that. But I was genuinely surprised to see it at the #1 spot for the year. (First of all, why on earth did they use that particular image of Rey Mysterio for the game's main image in the Wrap-Up? It's horrifying and I don't think he has ever actually worn a mask that looks like that on TV. Weird.) I digress.

After the folks at WWE 2K took a year off after the absolute abomination that was "WWE 2K20," they actually pumped out a pretty good game this year. The return of "MyGM Mode" was fun (although a very short, one- or two-time experience), but I pumped hours and hours of time into "MyFaction," which is cut from the same cloth as the "MyTeam" or "Diamond Dynasty" modes from the NBA and MLB games that have been Top Five mainstays for years.

Speaking of which, this is the first time ever, I think, that I haven't had a basketball or baseball game in my Top Five for the year. I skipped "NBA 2K" this year and just didn't play as much "MLB The Show" as I have in the past. In fact, I'm considering taking a year off from baseball, too, but we'll see what happens.

Disney Dreamlight Valley was the most pleasant surprise of a video game that I can remember in a long, long time. The game - which will eventually be free-to-play at some point in 2023 - cost $30 for "early access," and I am constantly amazed by the amount of content they've included in the story and side missions. If you're unaware of what DLV is, think "Animal Crossing" but with Disney characters. I blogged about my first week playing the game back in September. It continues to impress, and is a game that even my wife and siblings have gotten into. With the developers' regular updates to improve the game or introduce new features, I imagine that my time spent with "Dreamlight Valley" in 2022 is just the beginning, and I'll probably be seeing it in my Top Five again next year.

Making a late push into the Top Five is Gotham Knights - a game that didn't originally make the cut the first time I looked at my results. By the end of the year, "Gotham Knights" surged its way to a bronze-medal position, which I think is awesome. Despite it taking me a second to come to grips with the fact that "GK" was set in an alternate universe than the "Arkham" video games, I really enjoyed it. I thought all four of the playable characters were compelling, liked a somewhat different spin on Penguin and would love to see additional stories told in that same world. I documented my best usage of Photo Mode while playing "Gotham Knights" in a photo blog; one of my pictures of Red Hood is an all-timer.

I got access to Ghost of Tsushima for free through Playstation Plus, which gave me an easy reason to check out a game that I'd heard tons of good things about from my friends and coworkers. "Ghost" is a samurai slasher with a dense story. Clearly, it took me a decent amount of time to hack my way through it, but it was largely enjoyable and only became a bit tedious when I was trying to wrap up 100% completion, which required me to, literally, complete every single side mission in the entire game. To check out some of my best photos from "Ghost of Tsushima," check out my photo blog by clicking here.

I have no idea how I clocked so many hours of Stardew Valley this year. I fully admit to putting in a lot of "Stardew" time, during the pandemic, especially, but I had no idea that this game was going to crack my Top Five. I guess this just goes to show that I'm still down with the simulation-style games that I enjoyed on the computer growing up. Instead of "Harvest Moon," which I had on a Super Nintendo emulator as a kid, I've got "Stardew Valley." Instead of "Rollercoaster Tycoon," I have "Planet Coaster." Instead of "Sim City," it's "Cities: Skylines." Instead of "Animal Crossing" on the GameCube, there's "Dreamlight Valley" on Playstation. Time is a flat circle, as they say. (I have no idea what that means.)

Trophies Earned:

For the second straight year, my total number of trophies has decreased, but I can take great pride in the fact that I earned a personal best 18 platinum trophies in a single calendar year. Here is a list of the games that I beat to 100 percent completion during 2022:

1. Hot Wheels Unleashed - January 9
2. Sackboy: A Big Adventure - January 23
3. Batman: Arkham Knight - January 23
4. Horizon Zero Dawn - January 24
5. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - February 6
6. Assassin's Creed Origins - March 31
7. Road 96 - April 18
8. Mass Effect 1 - May 1
9. PGA Tour 2K21 - May 12
10. MLB The Show 22 - June 1
11. Marvel's Avengers - June 16
12. Ghost of Tsushima - July 17
13. Monster Energy Supercross - August 5
14. LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham - August 21
15. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor - October 4
16. Assassin's Creed Odyssey - October 25
17. inFamous: First Light - October 30
18. Gotham Knights - December 18

After quickly looking over that list, a couple things come to mind:

• Three of those games - "Hot Wheels Unleashed," "Sackboy: A Big Adventure" and "Road 96" - were games that I mostly played with my wife, so that was a lot of fun. My two-year-old son really liked playing "Hot Wheels" (not that he was good at it or anything, but it was a game where he could hold the controller and make the cars go, which was cute).
• I completed three different Batman games and two "Assassin's Creed" games, so that's somewhat noteworthy.
• I got three platinum trophies in the span of 24 and a half hours, between January 23 and 24, which is a feat that will almost certainly never happen again, as long as I live.

One major highlight for me, trophy-wise, this year was that I boosted my average completion percentage above 60 percent, according to PSNprofiles.com. When I first started using that website to track my trophy hunting, I think I was somewhere in the upper 30s, so I've come a long way.

Just because a game didn't crack my Top Five or hit 100 percent completion doesn't mean it wasn't fun. Here is a list of some other Playstation games that I enjoyed during 2022:

• Marvel's Midnight Suns (started too late in the year to make a noticeable dent but definitely a game I'm going to spend a lot of time with)
• Two Point Campus (a silly college simulation game, and one of my final games played in 2022)
• Evil Genius 2 (a silly world domination simulation game)
• LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (a fun game but - like most LEGO games - one that's going to take a ton of effort to get that platinum)
• NHL 22 (...which got bumped out of my Top Five by "Gotham Knights")
• NHL 23 (...and I made the jump to PS5 after playing the previous installment on PS4)
• MultiVersus (which I didn't play for very long but was decently fun for a free-to-play button masher and definitely contributed to "Fighting" being my top genre of the year)
• Moving Out (a wacky co-op game that my wife and I will probably re-visit, at some point)
• EA Sports UFC 4 (free for Playstation Plus users back at the beginning of the year and a ton of fun for a couple weeks)
• Fallout Shelter (spent a ton of time trying to clean up trophies on this old dog - made it all the way up to 79 percent before bailing on the three most time consuming tasks)

Analysis and Conclusion:

I am actually pretty ok with this year's results. I still put in hours that make lesser men blush but I think I'm being more efficient with the time spent with a controller in my hand. Less hours played, more platinums earned - that's good, right?

I sort-of re-read last year's Playstation Wrap-Up post and I can happily say that I made two predictions a reality - I finished off the "Avengers" game and did end up with a record-setting number of platinum trophies. Hooray. Go, me. I also can confirm that, as I indicated in the last Wrap-Up blog, I did finish several games in 2022 with my wife, which was fun and removes some of the guilt and shame associated with these blogs in the first place.

All in all, I'd say that it's a pretty good time to be a gamer. Playstation may still, unconceivably, be having trouble getting store shelves stocked with PS5 consoles, but at least now they're putting out games that justify taking the plunge.

*****

There we go. Another year in the books. What games did you play most this year? Did any of the games in this recap pique your interest? Do you you have any recommendations for what to play next? Let us know in the comments section, let me know on Facebook or hit us up on Twitter (here and here).

Until next time.

Gotham Knights: Photo Blog

I'm a sucker for pretty much anything Batman-related, so, initially, I was intrigued when they announced a new Batman video game months ago. However, when I learned that "Gotham Knights" was not set in the same universe as the "Arkham" series, I admit that there was a little skepticism about how excited I should actually get. On top of that, the only reviews or word of mouth that I heard was that the game wasn't good and that it was "only eight hours long." Eight hours is not long at all, in terms of video game storytelling, and not worth a $70 price tag, in my opinion, so I held off on purchasing "Gotham Knights" for a while.

I'm also a sucker for good deals, so when I saw that "Gotham Knights" was going for nearly 50 percent off for Black Friday, I finally bit the Batarang (as it were) and bought the game.

"Gotham Knights" lets you choose between four different Bat-characters - Batgirl (Barbara Gordon), Nightwing (Dick Grayson), Robin (Tim Drake) and Red Hood (Jason Todd). I typically rotated my character each time I played, and I played nearly equally with all four of them - possibly leaning a little heavy on my usage of the gun-toting Red Hood. I thought all of the characters were good, in their own ways, and all of them provided compelling reasons for which to use them. I thought all of the back-story stuff for each of the characters was great, too, with emotional stories for each person.

There are a handful of classic villains to fight in the game, and I was 

Without going into much more detail, I'll just say this:

• The game was way longer than "eight hours long" - I put in nearly 45 hours by the time I hit 100 percent completion.
• After an hour or two, I totally accepted and embraced "GK" being unconnected to the "Arkham" franchise.
• When all was said and done, I really, really enjoyed this game.

I really got into using the Photo Mode feature on the game and was able to capture some pretty cool stills, which I'll share in this post momentarily. I will forewarn you that there are some spoilers for the plot, so if you're not interested in seeing those, I'd recommend that you play the game first, then look at these pictures afterwards.

In conclusion, I loved the time I spent with "Gotham Knights" and would certainly endorse it to any like-minded Bat-fans out there. And heck, if you want to hit up some two player co-op, let me know - that's the one aspect of the game that I didn't get to touch the first time around. I'm only a message away.

With no further gilding the lily, here are my favorite photos from "Gotham Knights" on Playstation 5:

Once again, Gotham is safe... safer?... anyway, whatever. The good guys live to see another day, and if they make "Gotham Knights 2," I'm in. For more superhero gloriousness and caped-crusading adventures, feel free to follow us on Twitter (here and here).

We'll catch you next time, here at Signs of the Times - same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.