Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguereceived a new story trailer at DC FanDome 2021, providing the first prolonged look at the game since its orginal reveal. As the game’s title would indicate, the Justice League play massive role in the upcoming game, with Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, and Green Lantern all showing up. Interestingly, the newSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguetrailer also has a brief clip of the Batmobile, which should be alarming for those who played Rocksteady Studios’Batman: Arkhamgames.
TheArkhamseries made Rocksteady one of the best-known AAA game developers currently working. In its trilogy, Rocksteady provides a strong, well-researched depiction of Batman and his legendary mythos. With 2015’sBatman: Arkham Knight, Batman’s story ends with little room to see the character return. Since Rocksteady confirmedKill the Justice Leagueis set in the Arkhamverse, it lead many to believe that this really would be the first game in that series without Batman. However, that may not be the case.
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As mentioned, Batman’s story ends inBatman: Arkham Knight, though its meaning has had fans divided for years. Essentially, after Bruce Wayneis revealed to be Batman, he detonates Wayne Manor in the game’s finale, the so-called ‘Knightfall’ protocol, ending on a cliffhanger. Thetrue ending ofArkham Knightreveals that a new Batman is now stalking Gotham, known as ‘Knightmare’ Batman, as they use the fear toxin created by Scarecrow. Whether it’s actually Bruce Wayne in this new nightmarish form or somebody else is where the ongoing debate stands.
Going intoSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, one of fans' biggest expectations is that Rocksteady clarifies what happened to Batman. While the DC FanDome 2021 trailer doesn’t provide any real explanation about what happened, it at least hints that the character will be returning in some form. For just a couple of seconds, viewers can see a redesigned Batmobile with the definitiveArkhamBat-Symbol emblazoned on the front. Fittingly, one of the largest new mechanics introduced inBatman: Arkham Knightwas the Batmobile, so seeing it in this trailer conjures images of that game’s events.
Part ofArkham Knight’s significance is that it tackles the identity of Bruce Wayne and Batman, a secret that is essential to the character in nearly every interpretation. For many members of Batman’s rogues' gallery, part of why they fight the Caped Crusader is to expose his identity, as Scarecrow does inArkham Knight.
For the character to formally return inSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, it seems like Bruce Wayne’s crimefighting days may be entering a new chapter, one where his identity no longer matters. ThoughBruce Wayne himself may have drastically changed sinceArkham Knight, considering he was potentially using the fear toxin in the game’s true ending.
Regardless of Batman’s fate inArkham Knight, it makes sense he would appear in some capacity inSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, as he is a member of the heroic group. In theArkhamgames, Rocksteady Studios made frequent teases to the greater DC Comics Universe, withposters for Metropolis inArkham Knightand references to other major characters. Although there is still nothing confirmed about who is driving the Batmobile, it is strange the trailer chose to show practically all the other Justice League members while leaving the only representation of Batman to his car. Clearly, there’s something more for fans to anticipate.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leagueis in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, scheduled to release in 2022.
