I'm doing bidirectional science popularization in American comics

At this moment, no matter how much public opinion has fermented in Gotham City, it does not affect the harmonious scene in the editor-in-chief's office of the Gotham Daily.

The editor-in-chief of the Gotham Daily sat in his chair, looking at the newly released extra edition with great interest.

Opposite him was the employee who provided him with today's extra news material.

The editor-in-chief put down the newspaper and praised the bespectacled employee with a fawning smile in front of him:

"Well done, Hills. How come I never realized you were such a talent before?"

"Your bonus will be doubled this month."

"Alright, Hills, you can get out of my office now. And while you're at it, call Anna in for me."

Seeing the editor-in-chief's lewd grin, Hills adjusted his glasses and said meekly, "Thank you very much, my dear editor-in-chief. I'll call Anna right away."

As Hills walked out of the newspaper office, he went up behind Anna and slapped her plump buttocks, which were clad in a blue tight-fitting suit.

"The editor-in-chief wants you to come to his office now."

Anna was startled by the slap, turned around and glared at Hills, then swayed her plump, round buttocks as she walked into the editor-in-chief's office.

Upon seeing this, Hills's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.

He took out his phone and sent a text message:

"Mission complete."

Chapter 181 Thirteenth Floor

News about Batman immediately became the main topic of conversation on the streets.

"Hey, do you think Batman is really a threat?"

"Of course! I don't want to live in a city protected by an outlaw forever!"

"If those people at the Gotham Police Department were truly capable, they wouldn't be being led by the nose by Batman!"

Discussions like these are constantly taking place on the streets and among the general public.

Upon discovering today's newspaper article, Depp immediately called Bruce.

"Hey Bruce, have you read today's paper?"

"What newspaper?" Bruce asked, puzzled.

At this moment, he was wearing a loose and comfortable bathrobe, and his hair was like a tangled bird's nest.

There was a half-finished espresso next to me.

Bruce hasn't slept since last night, so he looks quite haggard and tired.

Because he was so busy with the Court of Owls, Bruce had no time to pay attention to today's Gotham Daily.

Therefore, they were unaware that discussions about whether Batman should exist were spreading wildly in the streets and alleys.

"Today's Gotham Daily has published articles about Operation Claw last night and Batman!"

Upon hearing Depp's words, Bruce shouted, "Alfred, bring me today's newspaper."

A moment later, Alfred entered Bruce's room with today's Gotham Daily in his hand.

His hands were gripping today's Gotham Daily tightly; clearly, Alfred was furious.

Because he has already seen the contents of today's special edition, which is utter nonsense!

How could Bruce possibly be Claw?

This is blatant slander!

Alfred handed the newspaper to Bruce and said, "Young Master Bruce, if today's newspaper displeases you, I think you can simply tear it to shreds."

Alfred's words revealed his true thoughts; if Bruce hadn't been in such a hurry to read it, he would have torn that damned newspaper to shreds.

Bruce looked at the contents of the newspaper, his brows gradually furrowing.

"Why would these guys release such strange news?"

Bruce took another sip of coffee and said, somewhat puzzled.

Upon hearing this, Depp offered his guess:

"But their views are very inflammatory and have a basic logical basis. The Claws operation just failed last night, and today's news is full of this kind of content, making it hard not to suspect that this is all the work of the Owl Court."

“That certainly sounds true. Those guys lurking in the shadows really love playing dirty tricks!” Bruce said, his eyes half-open. “But what can I do? They don’t think I care whether the people support me or not, do they?”

Bruce clearly didn't care about this at all; whether the public supported Batman was completely irrelevant to him.

He just wanted to do what he felt was right, not what the public expected Batman to do.

"Fighting the evil in this city, protecting the city, protecting the people, protecting this country, and even protecting the world—that's just my own idea. Batman's beliefs won't change in the slightest because the public doesn't support them."

Listening to Bruce's words, Depp was not as optimistic as him.

After all, Batman can disregard public opinion, but the Gotham Police Department cannot, nor can James Gordon.

Depp said, "Bruce, this media campaign they've launched isn't just targeting you! I think we might see reports about the Gotham Police Department and James tonight."

Upon hearing this, Bruce immediately understood what Depp meant, and his brows furrowed even deeper.

"You mean...they'll use Batman to smear the Gotham Police Department and James, thereby jeopardizing their credibility among the public?"

“That’s right, after all, James has never arrested Batman.” Depp said helplessly, “Even though Batman broke the bones of those criminals and destroyed countless gangs on his own.”

“Broken bones? Didn’t you teach me that?” Bruce said.

Depp interrupted, "That's not important, Bruce! Right now, there's even a rumor circulating that the Gotham Police Department is nothing more than Batman's henchmen, and that some of their actions are in order to help and cooperate with Batman. This makes the public uneasy and further fuels their rebellious sentiments."

Yes, thanks to the rebellious spirit inherent in the people of Gotham.

Once they believe that the relationship between the Gotham Police Department and Batman is not clean, they will definitely launch wave after wave of resistance!

At that time, it will be difficult for either Batman or James to take action against these ordinary people.

"Those damned bastards, the Court of Owls... I'll wipe them all out!"

Bruce gritted his teeth and said, then lowered his head and covered his forehead.

He suddenly felt a little dizzy; the long hours of intense work had left him somewhat disoriented.

After all, he was just an ordinary person, and now, both physically and mentally, he was nearing his limit.

Seeing this, Alfred immediately said with concern, "Young Master Bruce, you need to rest. Go to sleep first, and we can talk about the rest later tonight."

Bruce placed his hands on the table, propped himself up, and said, "Yes, I should rest for a bit. Depp, we'll talk again tonight."

Upon hearing this, Depp joked, "Go to sleep, you poor nocturnal creature!"

After hanging up the phone, Depp looked at the report again.

His gaze was now fixed on the author of this report.

William Kohler.

Depp messaged Alfred, asking him to help look up information about the guy.

Alfred's reply came quickly.

William Kohler graduated from Gotham University with a degree in journalism and is currently an intern at the Gotham Daily.

Before this, he had no famous news reports and almost always did odd jobs at the newspaper.

Looking at this guy's resume, Depp fell into thought.

A lowly employee who had never made any headlines suddenly published a news article about Claws and Batman.

This is clearly unreasonable!

In particular, the news reports described yesterday's claw attack in far too much detail.

This complete knowledge made it seem as if the guy was the one who planned these assassinations.

"This guy is definitely suspicious!"

To be honest, if everything here is the same as in the comics, then Depp actually knows who the nominal supreme leader of the Court of Owls is.

Joseph Powers and his wife, Maria Powers, are members of the Powers family.

They are the owners of Gotham City’s most luxurious hotel and the true leaders of the Bowles family.

But Depp currently has no evidence to prove any of this.

He couldn't go directly to Bowers' house and tell them that he had discovered their identities.

Also, the current timeline doesn't match the comic at all; it's about ten years earlier.

It's uncertain whether this couple was in charge of the Owl Court ten years ago.

Going there rashly would easily alert the enemy.

After thinking it over, Depp decided to start by investigating a newspaper employee named William Kohler.

He immediately put on his specially made battle suit and activated stealth mode.

Upon arriving at the newspaper office, Depp immediately spotted the seemingly timid William.

This guy's office is on the twelfth floor of the building.

Time passed slowly, and all this guy did at the newspaper office was chat and joke with the girls and serve tea and water to the editor-in-chief.

Just as described in his resume, this guy was a complete outsider.

Even with the recent sensational news, he still shows no interest in making a name for himself.

But in Depp's eyes, all of this seemed a bit too deliberate.

No one can act like a lackey after publishing a news story that has become famous throughout the city; this guy is being a bit too deliberate.

It was 5:30 p.m., the time when the Gotham Daily closed for the day.

The afterglow of the setting sun shines on the earth through the dark clouds, as if bidding farewell to people who have worked hard all day.

After seeing everyone off at the newspaper office, William picked up his briefcase and prepared to go home.

Just then, a guy wearing a claw armor walked towards him step by step, wielding two swords.

This shrewd man seemed to have evaded everyone who had just left work, and his target was William.