In Batman Begins, when Ducard reveals that he's really Ra's al Ghul, he tells Bruce, "Is Ra's al Ghul immortal? Are his methods supernatural?" Immortality is pretty key to Ra's al Ghul and how he's survived for centuries in the comics, through the Lazarus Pits. But in that one scene, plus the notion that the League of Shadows has existed for centuries, it's suggested that Ra's al Ghul may simply be a title adopted by the leader of the League. After all, that makes more sense in the more realistic world of The Dark Knight trilogy. One theory takes it a step further and says that after Bruce faked his death and left Gotham in the hands of John Blake, he didn't do it just to retire. But rather, he did it instead to take over the League of Shadows with Selina by his side. The theory is that Bruce would now use the League as a force for good to fight crime across the globe, much like Batman Inc. in the comics. It's problematic because there's nothing to suggest the League has even survived after the defeat of Bane and Talia. And more than that, why would the killers who make up the ranks of the League willingly follow someone who betrays their key philosophies and killed not just one but two of their leaders?
Percival Constantine is the author of several novels and short stories, including the Vanguard superhero series, and regularly writes and comments on movies, comics, and other pop culture. More information can be found at his website, PercivalConstantine.com
