Batman: The Animated Series (TV Series)

I Am the Night (1992)

Kevin Conroy: Batman

Photos 

Quotes 

• Batman : I should have been there.

  Robin : You can't be everywhere.

  Batman : I let him down.

  Robin : You're being too hard on yourself.

  Batman : He's a friend. More than a friend. Jim Gordon is the same age my father would have been if he hadn't... Now he's hanging by a thread. If I had gotten there five minutes sooner...

  Robin : You're only human, you do all one man can do, more than any man is expected to do.

  Batman : I chose this life. I use the night, I became the night, sooner or later I'll go down. It might be the Joker, or Two-Face, or just some punk who gets lucky. My decision. No regrets. But I can't let anyone else pay for my mistakes.

  Robin : Jim Gordon's a cop, Bruce. He knows the risks.

  Batman : How long before I let someone else I care about down? Leslie, Alfred, you? When all is said and done, how much good have I accomplished? They sell t-shirts of me! I've become a cliche! More good for the tourist trade than the streets.

  Robin : This city would fall apart without you.

  Batman : Maybe. Maybe not. When you look too long into the abyss, the abyss looks back through you. Maybe it's time for Batman to return to the night that spawned him before anyone else gets hurt!

• Dr. Leslie Thompkins : You seem quieter than usual tonight.

  Batman : Every year I come here and wonder if it should be the last time, if I should put the past behind me, try to lead a normal life.

  Dr. Leslie Thompkins : Santayana says, Those who forget the past are condemed to repeat it.

  Batman : He also said a fanatic is someone who redoubles his efforts while losing sight of his goal.

• Alfred : Master Bruce, are you all right, sir?

  Batman : I'm tired, Alfred.

  Alfred : Well I shouldn't wonder, you've taken no meals today, and I can't recall when you last slept.

  Batman : A weary body can be dealt with, but a weary spirit, that's something else. Sometimes, old friend, I wonder if I'm really doing any good out there.

  Alfred : How can you doubt it? The lives you've saved, the criminals you've brought to justice.

  Batman : I've put out a few fires yes, won a few battles, but the war goes on Alfred, on and on...

• Dr. Leslie Thompkins : Aren't you going home? It's almost three A.M.

  Batman : Promises to keep, Leslie. I have promises to keep.

• [Commissioner Gordon awakes from his coma] 

  Jim Gordon : The bust, went down OK?

  Batman : Yes. Get some rest now.

  Jim Gordon : Gotta keep fighting, never stop. What I try to live by. Maybe if I had been younger I could have been like you. Always wanted to be a hero.

  Batman : You are a hero, Jim.

• Dick Grayson : You've gotta pull yourself out of this, Bruce. The Jazzman broke out of Stonegate. He's gone to ground somewhere in Gotham. You know he'll find a way to get to Gordon. Okay, then I'm going after him. You taught me everything I know about crime-fighting, Bruce, but the most important lesson was to never give up.

  [in the Batcave, Robin gets onto the Batcycle] 

  Batman : No, Dick. This is my hunt.

• Batman : When all is said and done, how much good have I accomplished? They sell t-shirts of me. I've become a cliché. More good for the tourists trade than the streets.

  Dick Grayson : This city would fall apart without you!

  Batman : Maybe. Maybe not. When you look too long into the abyss, the abyss looks back through you. Maybe it's time for Batman to return to the night that spawned him. Before anyone else gets hurt!

• Batman : I don't know if you can hear me, Jim. I'm sorry. If I hadn't stopped in Crime Alley...

  Barbara Gordon : Batman.

  Batman : How is he?

  Barbara Gordon : Not good.

  Batman : It's my fault. Should have gotten there first. Checked it out before...

  Barbara Gordon : Don't blame yourself. You caught the man who shot him.

  Batman : If I'd been there.

  Detective Harvey Bullock : You should have been there, pointy ears, then maybe Peake might have shot the right guy. Thought you were supposed to know what was shakin' on the streets. How come you didn't tell us this was a set-up?

  Batman : I didn't know.

  Detective Harvey Bullock : Yeah? In my book, that makes you just as responsible for him being here as the Jazzman.

  Barbara Gordon : Harvey, please! It wasn't his fault.

  [Batman walks toward the window] 

  Detective Harvey Bullock : Hey! Where you goin'?

  [Batman leaves through the window and swings away] 

  Detective Harvey Bullock : This ain't over yet, outlaw! You hear me? You're going down for this! I ain't talkin' law! I'm talkin' you and me!

• Batman : Up to your old tricks, I see. How about returning that suitcase to its owner?

  Wizard : Hey, man, I am the owner. You know, I was kinda hoping I'd run into you. I've been in those places like where you left me before. Heard the rap, wasn't impressed. But this time, it made sense. Maybe I was ready to hear it. So, I'm heading back home. And I guess I kinda owe it to you, Batman. You probably saved my life. I'll bet you hear this all the time. Look, I'm gonna miss my bus. I'll see you around, and... thanks.