Summary
After the disappointing launch ofSuicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, which became the late Kevin Conroy’s final appearance as Batman, developer Rocksteady has gone back to the drawing board.If rumors are to be believed, Rocksteady is already working on a new Batman game, presumably either a continuation of the events post-Arkham Knightor some sort of reboot.
Over the course of a trilogy designed by Rocksteady and a spin-off by WB Montreal, they explored a huge portion of theBatmanuniverse. But even after all those hours logged, there are still some parts of his world and the larger DC Comics universe that could be adapted. Whether it’s characters that never made their way into the previous games or an entire storyline that could be adapted, these are just a few of the elements Rocksteady could pull from to guide their next Batman adventure.
While it seems strange to assume Bruce Wayne may not be in a game about Batman, it’s possible considering that he perishes at the end of 2014’sArkham Knight. But, as the comics and movies have shown us, Bruce Wayne is nigh-indestructible. Nearly every piece ofBatmanmedia has positioned him as a strong legacy character, as the likes of Dick Grayson and Damian Waynehave donned the cowl.
But, it would be hard to imagine Rocksteady not including the billionaire playboy, and considering how much time could potentially pass in the universe, it could lead either to some sort of adaptation of Frank Miller’sThe Dark Knight Returns, or a full-on reboot. A reboot may not be a bad idea, as it could reset the stage, bring Bruce back as a younger man with a new voice and allow a fresh start.
This sinister organization first appeared in the comics in 2012, created by writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capulo. Made up of Gotham City’s wealthiest elites, the Court came into conflict with Batman in a massively popular story arc. Since then, media adaptations of them have been sparse, although they did appear in WB Games Montréal’sGotham Knights(no relation to Rocksteady’s Arkham universe). In the mainlineArkhamgames, the Court is non-existent, so now may be the time.
In their comic book appearances, the Court of Owls is seen as an urban myth, not unlike Batman himself. With Batman presumed dead bythe end ofArkham Knight, the Court could make their move to further cement their grip on Gotham. And, if anything could bring a potentially alive Bruce Wayne out of retirement, it would be the Court, as this hugely popular villain group would make an excellent antagonist for players to face off against.
It’s entirely possible that Rocksteady will opt to keep their Batman on ice, instead focusing on something fans have been begging for by bringing in Terry McGinnis. First appearing in the popular 1990s animated seriesBatman Beyond, Terry McGinnis protects a futuristicversion of Gotham Citywith an elder Bruce Wayne as his mentor, going up against all sorts of nasty new villains — and even a few from the past.
Adapting Terry McGinnis does mean Rocksteady has to find a way to resurrect Bruce Wayne, but that’s easy enough in a universe with time-traveling speedsters and aliens with super-strength. But, the prospect of a Batman Beyond game remains one of the most exciting ideas, as flying around an advanced, futuristic vision of Gotham would be incredible. It opens up a whole new roster of villains and supporting characters, which is something that would make any potentialBatman Beyondgame stand out.
Despite numerous references and hints,the Justice League wouldnot appear in full in theArkhamfranchise untilSuicide Squad: Kill The Justice League. And, if Rocksteady is determined to bring Bruce Wayne back, the Justice League could be the way forward.
Bruce’s super friends would most assuredly want to find a way to bring their old pal back, and with their combined efforts, the idea of a game focusing on the League trying to find him could be outstanding. Perhaps even pull a bit fromThe Flashpoint Paradox, having The Flash travel through time looking for his old friend. Either way, it’s quite possible, considering how well-received the League was inSuicide Squad, that Rocksteady may look at a way to bring them back.
If one assumes that Rocksteady will continuewhereArkham Knightleft off, entering a world where Batman is presumed dead could be a bit of fun. To that end, a Gotham under siege and without a protector would lead to all sorts of new baddies emerging. And, with The Mutants, the punk-style gang fromThe Dark Knight Returns, now could be their time to shine.
Led by the nefarious Mutant Leader, this gang consists of some of Gotham’s most unhinged citizens. Their horrific crimes and presence as one of Gotham’s most prominent gangs inThe Dark Knight Returnsmakes them a perfect fit for any potential post-Arkham Knightgame. Their presence could be as large or small as Rocksteady desires, either as primary antagonists or a secondary group, making Batman’s return tougher than he anticipated.
1Damian Wayne
The Son Of Batman Could Take Up The Mantle
Several years ago, concept art emerged for a canceled game at WB Montreal that would have starred Damian Wayne, the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul. Known as Project Sabbath, it was to feature Damian as an older, grizzled Dark Knight in a post-apocalyptic version of Gotham that resembled the world ofBatman Beyondin many ways. Indeed, Damian’s suit resembled the futuristic outfit worn by Terry McGinnis, while new, updated versions of classic villains were also seen.
It’s possible that WB Montreal was inspired by a comic book known as Batman 666, where Damian assumed the mantle in a dark, twisted future. Whatever their influence was, it could be a fabulous concept to dust off for the next Arkham game. It wouldn’t require Bruce Wayne, so there’s no need for a resurrection story. Seeing a sinister, apocalyptic Gotham come to life with Damian as the star would be incredible, and putting players in control of a farmore aggressive, meaner Batmancould be a ton of fun.
