DC High Volume: Batman – The Long Halloween: Chapter 9

Release Date: June 18, 2025
Adapted From: Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
Narrated By: Jason Spisak as Batman, Jay Paulson as Jim Gordon, Adam O'Brien as Harvey Dent, among others.

1. Opening Conflict: Father's Day in Gotham

Timestamp: [01:00]

The episode opens on Father's Day in Gotham City, but it's anything but celebratory for Bruce Wayne. Instead, Bruce finds himself incarcerated, a consequence of District Attorney Harvey Dent's relentless campaign against the crime syndicate led by Carmine "the Roman" Falcone. This creates a power vacuum in Gotham's underworld, allowing criminals to seize the opportunity to increase their influence.

Quote:
Narrator: "It's Father's Day in Gotham City. And Bruce Wayne is spending it behind bars."

2. Flashback: Bruce Wayne's Memories of His Father

Timestamp: [01:48] – [03:03]

Bruce Wayne reflects on his father, Thomas Wayne, recalling the frequent medical emergencies that often took him away from the family. A poignant memory surfaces of a night when his father didn't leave for an emergency but was instead confronted by Carmine Falcone at their residence.

Quotes:
Bruce Wayne: "I remember my father. The phone would ring. There was a medical emergency somewhere. He had to go. He was needed. There was no choice."
Alfred Pennyworth: "Good Lord."
Carmine Falcone: "Dr. Wayne. Look at what they've done to my boy."

This encounter reveals the strained relationship between the Waynes and Falcone, hinting at deeper connections and unresolved tensions.

3. Investigations and Accusations: Harvey Dent Questions Falcone

Timestamp: [03:53] – [04:53]

Harvey Dent intensifies his investigation, bringing Carmine Falcone under scrutiny before a grand jury. He presses Falcone about the relationship between Bruce Wayne and Vincent Falcone, seeking transparency about their connections.

Quotes:
Harvey Dent: "Mr. Pennyworth, you still contend under oath that Thomas Wayne never accepted any sort of payment from Vincent Falcone. Then explain to us the relationship that continues to this day between the sons, Carmine Falcone and your employer, Bruce Wayne."
Carmine Falcone: "Perhaps Dr. Wayne did file a report. But Gotham City was different then..."

Falcone deflects the accusations, blaming Gotham's systemic corruption for the Waynes' tragic fate, suggesting that the city's rot is at the heart of their woes.

4. Alfred's Frustration and Falcone's Retaliation

Timestamp: [04:53] – [05:23]

Alfred Pennyworth expresses frustration over Carmine Falcone's manipulative tactics, hinting at past violence and the ongoing threat Falcone poses to those connected to the Wayne family.

Quotes:
Alfred Pennyworth: "Ouch. That'll cost us, Harvey. Carmine Falcone. I should have finished the job years ago."
Bruce Wayne: "Luigi. Big Lou Maroni, the former head of the Maroni crime family, retired..."

This segment underscores the relentless power struggles within Gotham's mafia factions and Bruce's precarious position amidst them.

5. The Maroni Family's Retired Leader and Rising Tensions

Timestamp: [05:23] – [06:16]

The narrative shifts focus to Big Lou Maroni, the retired head of the Maroni crime family, who now leads a quieter life focused on gardening. However, his son, Sal Maroni, emerges as Falcone's main rival, indicating escalating tensions that threaten Gotham's fragile peace.

Quotes:
Bruce Wayne: "Luigi. Big Lou Maroni, the former head of the Maroni crime family, retired. Now he spends his days in his walled garden growing tomatoes."
Alfred Pennyworth: "You can act like a man. This is about Falcone. You gotta get the Roman before he gets you."

Sal Maroni's ambition and rivalry with Falcone set the stage for potential conflicts that could destabilize Gotham once more.

6. Crimes Unfold and Connections Deepen

Timestamp: [09:20] – [10:27]

The plot thickens as the grand jury acquits Bruce Wayne, a verdict that both shocks and frustrates Harvey Dent. Concurrently, the Falcone family’s internal dynamics are explored, revealing Sophia Falcone's connection to Bruce and hinting at deeper familial intrigues.

Quotes:
Bruce Wayne: "Sophia Falcone Gigante, the Roman's daughter."
Alfred Pennyworth: "Bruce Wayne. I have business to attend to, daughter. I'll be back late."
Harvey Dent: "I was so sure that Bruce Wayne was doing favors for the Falcone family. But a jury of my peers didn't agree with Me?"

This section highlights the intertwined relationships and the personal vendettas that drive the characters' motivations.

7. Harvey Dent's Obsession and the Emergence of New Threats

Timestamp: [11:04] – [13:13]

Harvey Dent grapples with the jury's decision, expressing his disillusionment and determination to continue his quest against Gotham's corruption. Meanwhile, new threats emerge as Jonathan Crane, aka the Scarecrow, escapes from Arkham Asylum, adding another layer of danger to an already volatile city.

Quotes:
Harvey Dent: "It's like they flipped a coin. Heads he wins. Tales I lose. And Bruce Wayne, all his money. His good family name goes back to high society."
Bruce Wayne: "On Mother's Day, Jonathan Crane, psychiatrist turned psychopath. Escaped from Arkham Asylum..."

The introduction of the Scarecrow signifies escalating criminal activities, forcing Bruce Wayne to confront new challenges as Batman.

8. Dialogues of Power and Legacy

Timestamp: [13:13] – [15:03]

A tense conversation unfolds between Bruce Wayne and Carmine Falcone, where Falcone subtly manipulates Bruce by invoking memories of his father and questioning his legacy. This dialogue underscores the psychological battles Bruce faces, torn between his desire for justice and the shadows of his past.

Quotes:
Carmine Falcone: "Master Bruce. Master Bruce."
Bruce Wayne: "I just miss him, Alfred. Is that so wrong?"
Carmine Falcone: "You are very much your father's son."

These exchanges reveal Falcone's influence and the internal struggles Bruce must navigate to maintain his path as Gotham's protector.

9. The Final Stand: Alliances and Confrontations

Timestamp: [15:03] – [15:57]

As tensions reach a boiling point, both Alfred and Harvey Dent recognize the necessity of uniting against Falcone. This alliance hints at the upcoming confrontations that will define Gotham's fate and Bruce Wayne's role as Batman.

Quotes:
Harvey Dent: "Maroney."
Alfred Pennyworth: "You want a piece of me? We both want a piece of Falcone. Maybe it's time we both found out what we could do for each other."

The formation of this partnership sets the stage for pivotal events in Gotham's ongoing battle against crime.

10. Conclusion: Setting the Stage for Future Episodes

Timestamp: [15:57] – [18:55]

The chapter concludes by summarizing the key players and their motivations, leaving listeners anticipating the unfolding drama. Batman's journey is deeply intertwined with Gotham's power structures, and the rise of new villains like the Holiday Killer threatens to upend the delicate balance of the city.

Final Thoughts:
Narrator: "You've been listening to DC High Volume Batman the Long Halloween the Long Halloween comic written by Jeph Loeb with artwork by Tim Sale."

The episode effectively bridges past events with present conflicts, ensuring that listeners are both informed and engaged, eager to discover how Batman will navigate the treacherous landscape of Gotham City.

Notable Quotes Summary

• Bruce Wayne on His Father:
  "I remember my father. The phone would ring. There was a medical emergency somewhere. He had to go. He was needed. There was no choice." ([01:48])

• Carmine Falcone to Bruce Wayne:
  "To my knowledge, they do not have a relationship." ([04:10])

• Harvey Dent's Frustration:
  "I was so sure that Bruce Wayne was doing favors for the Falcone family. But a jury of my peers didn't agree with Me?" ([11:27])

• Alfred on Partnership:
  "You want a piece of me? We both want a piece of Falcone. Maybe it's time we both found out what we could do for each other." ([15:28])

These quotes encapsulate the central tensions and character motivations driving the narrative forward.

Production Credits

• Directed By: Fred Greenhalgh and John Brooks
• Audio Adaptation: Fred Greenhalgh and Roshan Singh Sambi
• Voice Actors:
  • Jason Spisak as Batman
  • Jay Paulson as Jim Gordon
  • Adam O'Brien as Harvey Dent
  • Reba Burr as Catwoman
  • Dan Gill as the Joker
  • Mike Starr as Carmine Falcone
  • (Additional voices by Robert Bedel, Paul Carafotis, and others)
• Production Companies: CSA, Realm Productions
• Music Composed By: Sam Ewing
• Recorded At: Real Voice, La CityVox, and Edge Studios

Disclaimer

This podcast is a fictional adaptation based on characters from DC Comics. Any resemblance to real persons or events is purely coincidental. Unauthorized duplication or distribution may result in legal consequences.

End of Summary