Batman’s Arkhamverse Future Can’t Ignore Its Saddest Titans

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As a longtime fan of the Batman franchise, I’ve always found the character development of villains like Bane and Killer Croc to be particularly captivating. These two behemoths, once feared for their raw power, have had their stories unfold in such a way that they’ve become more than just muscle-bound henchmen.

As a devoted cinephile of the Batman franchise, I’ve witnessed the Caped Crusader apprehend countless villains across the Arkhamverse. The Joker has been a recurring menace, causing nothing but trouble, and the Riddler has always managed to devise intricate puzzles that challenge me. When an antagonist appears in more than one game, then disappears in another, it sparks curiosity about their whereabouts and leaves gaps in the lore that need filling. Batman: Arkham Shadow is a compelling sequel to both Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, providing some answers while generating new mysteries of its own.

In the game “Batman: Arkham Shadow,” one of the subtler Easter eggs is that Killer Croc can be found in a cell at Blackgate Prison, though only his gigantic skeleton x-ray is visible through the use of Detective Mode without any specific prompt. Moreover, in “Origins Blackgate,” Bane plays a crucial role but his whereabouts after that are uncertain. It’s also ambiguous what he was wanted for by ARGUS. Fast forward to “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League,” which is set approximately 14 years later, and the locations of many characters remain a mystery. Interestingly, Killer Croc and Bane, who are among the most morally complex antagonists in the Arkham universe, have both undergone traumatic experiences that deserve to be explored further in future Arkham games due to their sympathetic backgrounds.

The Arkhamverse’s Bane is a Mercenary Turned Venom-Addict Vegetable

In the universe of Arkham, Bane and Killer Croc share modest origins, notably in the game “Batman: Arkham Origins.” Bane is a hired gun that Batman has some prior knowledge of, who shows up in Gotham City to collect the $50 million bounty placed on Batman. On the other hand, Killer Croc is initially depicted as one of Black Mask’s assassins, although he doesn’t directly cross paths with Batman until the initial riot at Blackgate Penitentiary and doesn’t pose a significant threat in “Origins” afterwards.

In the gripping world of “Batman: Arkham Origins,” I found myself captivated by none other than Bane, who serves as the primary adversary. What makes him intriguing is his relentless pursuit to force Batman into taking a life, even if it means sacrificing his own in a noble warrior’s demise. Remarkably, he manages to push the boundaries of Batman’s unyielding moral code, making us question the depth of their struggle.

In this scenario, Bane decides to use an experimental version of Venom named TN-1, later known as the weaponized Titan in “Batman: Arkham Asylum”. This transformation turns the strategically sound Bane into a towering beast. Batman then overpowers Bane using electric shocks that not only wipe out his memory but also diminish his intellectual capabilities significantly, leaving him as the dim-witted character often portrayed in “Batman: Arkham Asylum” and “Batman: Arkham City”. Thus, “Origins” serves as a tragic history for Bane, demonstrating his initial intimidating and intelligent persona compared to the simpler character he has become.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly waiting for any sign of Bane since we last saw him in “City”. Yet, in “Batman: Arkham Knight”, a subtle Easter egg featuring his gear hints at his potential return to Santa Prisca. If this is true, it appears that his story might not get a clearer resolution than this cryptic hint. However, if a future “Arkham” game unfolds after “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League”, I can only hope for some clarification on his whereabouts and maybe even provide a definitive end to his tale, should he never reappear with a significant role again.

The Arkhamverse’s Killer Croc is an Enforcer Turned Lab Rat

In the Arkhamverse storyline, Bane’s unfortunate decline happens quite early on, whereas Killer Croc experiences his downfall towards the end. In the game Origins, players encounter Croc as their initial boss fight and later, after his capture, Batman and Alfred express empathy for him in the Batcave due to his extreme form of atavism. In Origins, Croc appears more humanoid, serving as Black Mask’s bodyguard. However, eight or nine years later in Asylum, he is noticeably larger and much more frighteningly monstrous.

Croc also has an Easter egg cameo in City that players can trigger in the sewers.

As a cinephile immersed in the world of gaming, it wasn’t until the Season of Infamy DLC for Knight, specifically the Beneath the Surface episode, that Croc’s heart-wrenching tale unfolded. What makes his story all the more tragic is that it wasn’t a self-inflicted fate. During his confinement on the Iron Heights Penitentiary airship, Croc was subjected to inhumane experiments and torment at the hands of Quorum and Warden Ranken.

In the revised version:

It’s intriguing to consider the return of characters like Bane and Killer Croc in the future of the Arkhamverse. These once formidable villains, now past their peak, have taken on a more thought-provoking dimension in their portrayals. Bringing them back could provide a satisfying conclusion to their stories. However, giving them new, powerful roles might undo the emotional depth and tragic nuances that their stories have developed over time within the Arkhamverse. For instance, reintroducing Mr. Freeze as an antagonist would feel unfair and contradict his character development.

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2024-12-24 15:05