Is the Arkhamverse Doomed? Shocking Changes After Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League!

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The main storyline and additional content for “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” have now been fully completed with the release of Season 4’s Episode 8 on January 14th. Throughout the four seasons of post-release content, Task Force X added new members to their ranks and defeated a total of twelve Brainiacs. However, it seems that these events didn’t significantly affect or complicate the game’s overall narrative, at least not in a way that directly connects the story from the base game to the post-launch content.

The success and response of “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” is bound to significantly influence the development of future DC games. It’s clear that Batman, a character deeply rooted in DC’s history and beloved by fans for over a decade and a half, plays a crucial role in their success. The Arkhamverse, a cherished franchise with a rich history, might have been overshadowed by “Suicide Squad” if not for its enduring lore. Given the quality and authenticity of games like “Batman: Arkham Shadow”, it’s likely that we’ll see more Arkhamverse games in the future. However, creating a sequel to “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” with Batman at the helm will be quite challenging due to its narrative impact.

Batman’s Arkhamverse May Never Be the Same After Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Choosing to set in the prequel era of the Arkhamverse was a shrewd move for several reasons. Firstly, it opens up a vast amount of untold and unexplored history from the years leading up to Batman: Arkham Asylum. Secondly, by doing so, it can distance itself as much as possible from the narrative weight that Rocksteady Studios and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League have added to the Arkhamverse.

Perhaps, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League wouldn’t have drawn as much criticism if it weren’t connected to the Arkhamverse. However, some of its plot decisions are hard to swallow following the clear-cut ending in Batman: Arkham Knight.

Unsurprisingly, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League’s Ending is Fertile Soil for Batman

In essence, bringing Bruce Wayne back into the limelight as Batman to join the Justice League in the game “Knight” seems to contradict his decision to give up the Batman identity permanently, a point that was poignantly portrayed in the game. The handling of this significant plot twist and other character progressions by Rocksteady in “Suicide Squad” can be seen as less than ideal. The key narrative moments arising from “Kill the Justice League” are as follows:

  • Thirteen Brainiacs and seemingly endless Elseworlds being introduced have opened the door to rippling multiverses in the Arkhamverse that the Justice League is apparently determined to help restore and avenge.
  • The real Wonder Woman is dead, having been the only Justice League member to elude capture during Brainiac’s invasion and slain by Superman’s clone.
  • Batman’s clone murdered countless people in Metropolis, including Tim Drake’s Robin (Tim’s death is technically not confirmed, but his mask is found caked in a spray of blood in the Batcave).
  • Deathstroke’s recruitment into ARGUS’ Task Force X at the tail-end of Brainiac’s invasions suggests that he could have a prominent role in the Arkhamverse’s future depending on what storylines are pursued.
  • The Floyd Lawton who appeared in Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham City is dead and replaced by the “real” Floyd Lawton.

In a potential upcoming Arkhamverse game, the inclusion of a multiverse concept could be skillfully handled, as the idea of multiple universes isn’t inherently lazy. However, it can become overly familiar when used excessively, especially if it is exploited to avoid consequences due to its transient nature. Regardless, if a sequel to Suicide Squad ensues, the failure of Batman’s contingencies to stop his cloning or Brainiac from causing destruction in Metropolis would undeniably need to be addressed.

In Gotham City, it’s presumed that Brainiac’s invasion had no impact, so tales set there wouldn’t typically involve the happenings of “Kill the Justice League” unless minor characters casually mention them.

If Rocksteady or any other developer wanted Batman’s story in the Arkhamverse to proceed without much connection to the Justice League or the events of “Kill the Justice League,” they could do so by following in Camouflaj’s footsteps. This approach would likely be their best option. Furthermore, a standalone Justice League game might build upon the groundwork laid by “Suicide Squad,” but it would be difficult to erase the bitter taste left by the Arkhamverse’s Wonder Woman sacrificing her life without purpose in the eyes of the players.

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2025-01-16 02:13