Batman: Arkham Shadow Addresses a Long-Unanswered Arkhamverse Question

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As a long-time Arkhamverse fanatic, I must admit that the latest addition to the series, Batman: Arkham Shadow, has left me utterly captivated. The way it weaves the story of Joe Chill, the man who pulled the trigger on Bruce Wayne’s parents, is nothing short of masterful.

Major story spoilers for
Batman: Arkham Shadow
ahead.

One standout feature of the Arkhamverse’s storytelling is its avoidance of repetitively recounting Bruce Wayne’s childhood trauma, specifically the murder of his parents in Crime Alley. Instead, it skillfully employs this tragic event’s symbolism without resorting to excessive retellings that might interrupt ongoing storylines in the present day. Interestingly, it seems Bruce has never discovered the fate or whereabouts of his parents’ killer post-event.

In the universe of Arkham, it has been convenient that the fate of Joe Chill remains unknown, as he can be written off as just another common criminal whose life was ended by Batman. This allows him to blend into a crowd of petty criminals and strengthen Batman’s character. However, in the story Batman: Arkham Shadow, the creators have decided to shed light on this mystery and give a clearer portrait of Joe Chill. In Batman: Arkham Shadow, it is revealed that Joe Chill is discovered, and his presence becomes an essential part of the narrative, deeply influencing Bruce’s perspective on the corruption in Gotham City.

Batman: Arkham Shadow’s ‘Joe’ is None Other Than Joe Chill

In the Arkhamverse, Joe Chill’s other physical appearance is found in Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham VR game, but there’s a lot of discussion about whether this virtual reality experience counts as official canon. Some theories even suggest it might be a prolonged dream experienced by Bruce Wayne himself.

In the gripping world of Shadow, I find myself interacting frequently with a commissary vendor named Joe. As Bruce Wayne, I didn’t suspect his true identity – Irving “Matches” Malone, one of Batman’s most formidable foes. It wasn’t until later in the game that I realized I’d been talking to him all along, hidden behind the mask of an elderly inmate. Any Batman aficionado would likely catch on sooner, especially when you consider the deliberate omission of his last name and the enigmatic details of his backstory.

As a gamer, I find myself touched with a sense of empathy, openly expressing my apologies and sorrow over my mysterious past. However, Shadow leaves no room for doubt that Batman is consumed by anger, relentlessly pursuing the Rat King. In this heated moment, it’s likely that even if I had revealed myself as Joe, the billionaire orphan wouldn’t have noticed.

How Joe Chill Distills Batman: Arkham Shadow’s Theme of Empathy

Joe embodies the underlying themes of “Batman: Arkham Shadow” remarkably well by showing that not every character is strictly good or evil, as Batman may assume based on Gotham’s notorious criminal element. The Rats, GCPD, and TYGER, as portrayed in “Shadow,” provide an excellent example of the moral complexity found within the Arkhamverse, where characters are rarely purely virtuous or villainous.

In some games or stories, henchmen are often portrayed as either easy targets for violence or sources of humor. However, in the series Shadow, rats are depicted with greater empathy, highlighting their tragic circumstances which become evident when they attack Dr. Leslie Thompkins and District Attorney Harvey Dent. This underscores Batman’s lack of understanding or compassion for these characters despite them posing a threat.

In the game “Batman: Arkham Origins” during the “Cold, Cold Heart” DLC, Bruce learned a valuable lesson about empathy as he unraveled Dr. Victor Fries’ transformation into Mr. Freeze. This lesson resurfaces in the game “Shadow” when those close to him are in danger.

Batman: Arkham Shadow Ends Before the Dust Gets a Chance to Settle

In the finale of “Batman: Arkham Shadow”, Harvey Dent contacts Bruce to inform him that they’ve apprehended Joe Chill, the individual linked to Bruce’s parents’ demise. Not long after, Batman shows up at the location and finds Joe kneeling before Harvey/Two-Face. When Bruce reveals his identity, he unexpectedly urges Joe to depart in a rare display of compassion.

After Joe apologizes to Bruce and Shadow, the scene ends abruptly without providing a clear explanation about where Joe went or how Bruce copes with this information. Instead, the focus shifts to Harvey’s troubled state at that moment. It would have been nice if the scene had lasted longer so any unresolved feelings could be addressed more deeply—maybe for a future episode. Although it’s possible that Joe ends up in prison and is never seen again in the show, the ending suggests that Bruce has come to terms with Joe’s actions, even if he can never forget what happened to his parents.

Batman’s objective remains consistent: safeguarding Gotham City. Even if his actions led to the emergence of villains like the Joker, his perspective on common criminals and the human condition might be influenced differently after encountering his parents’ killer and coming to know him as more than just a criminal.

Similar to previous games in the Arkham series, Shadow establishes its unique piece of lore while setting the stage for future games’ narratives.

It’s nice to imagine Bruce contemplating Joe, much like Batman ponders over events related to Origins and Blackgate in the comic “Shadow.” However, if Joe disappears without a trace, the comic effectively portrays how Bruce might view him based on their interactions as Joe and Malone. In his future life as the World’s Greatest Detective, there are certainly more ominous and menacing characters to focus on.

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2024-10-28 00:04