The last of the Arkham games from developer Rocksteady is coming next year – and from what I’ve played of it, it’s going to be something quite special for fans. It may even take the bitter taste of Arkham Oranges (Seville, no doubt) out of people’s mouths. The prevailing question though is just who the Arkham Knight is.
A creation of Rocksteady’s, in the game he’s like a more militaristic, darker and mocking version of Batman himself. He seems to have an intimate knowledge of Batman; who he is, how he works and importantly, how he thinks.
But who’s the man behind this mask? Right now, nobody outside of Rocksteady knows. The prevailing theory is that it’s Jason Todd; The Red Hood – a sort of anti-hero version of Batman who’s just that little more willing to kill. The Red Hood has already been confirmed as a playable character as DLC in Arkham Knight… so if it is Jason Todd under the mask, that would be both terribly dull and awfully disappointing.
While I have no real insight as to who might be under the Arkham Knight’s metallic cowl (though I definitely think it’s one of the missing Robins), the lead character artist certainly does. And here’s said artist, Albert Feliu offering his particular insight into this latest villain, from the pages of the excellent Games TM.
1. Mask
“The mask is a vital component of many super villains, and we needed the Arkham Knight’s helmet to achieve a range of different things. Firstly, it needs to cover his face in order to conceal any sense of the man underneath. Next, it provides him with a detailed heads-up display that keeps track of his forces moving throughout Gotham City. This information is projected across the inside of his visor, creating the illusion of those inhuman eyes and giving him a face that is equal parts ghostly and robotic.”
2. Chest plate
“The design of the Arkham Knight’s armour is intended to be a psychological weapon against Batman as well as a defence against the tactics and strategies that Batman uses. The Arkham Knight knows the deep influence that the events of both Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City had on Batman, and by making the logo of the institution into his own, he aims to put Gotham’s saviour at a disadvantage. The angular design of the armour plating was influenced by the A-shape of Batman: Arkham Asylum’s logo, but it’s also designed to deflect one of Batman’s weapons of choice: the bat claw.”
3. Gauntlets
“Visually one of the most important things we want to communicate through the design of the Arkham Knight is the high-tech, military threat that he poses to Gotham City. The materials on his gauntlets, boots and armour are influenced by the design of fighter aircraft: highly resistant, unreflective and totally intimidating. The Arkham Knight’s knowledge of the Caped Crusader influences his fighting style, and so his gauntlets fulfil a similar role to Batman’s: they’re armoured so he can use them to repel opponents with blades while remaining light enough to enable rapid strikes. We’ve always had the same approach to armour design in the Arkhamverse: it needs to match the anatomy and ergonomics of the character, and reflect each character’s unique visual themes.”
4. Camouflage
“In creating the image of this military leader invading an urban space, we designed the Arkham Knight’s red camouflage pattern to make him identifiable to his troops, but also to take advantage of how Gotham City looks at night: the dark greys interspersed with dashes of red enable him to remain concealed between the gloomy shadows and garish neons of Gotham’s alleyways and rooftops. The dark material that armours his biceps and triceps is partially reflective, working as part of the camouflage as it mirrors the environment around him.”
5. The Utility Belt
“The Arkham Knight is a military commander, and that’s reflected most in the design of his helmet, but he’s also a highly capable and resourceful warrior just like Batman. His utility belt is designed for more personal confrontations, and it reflects his aggressive personality: he wears it low-slung in contrast with Batman’s more regimented approach to field equipment. He thinks he’s better, badder and definitely cooler than the Batman himself.”
6. The Ears
“The ears serve two purposes: first, they act as transmitters relaying the Arkham Knight’s commands to his troops and drones in the field. Secondly, they are his greatest psychological attack on Batman: while they’re much shorter and more streamlined than the Dark Knight’s, (to make them more practical for combat), this design is an intentional mockery of Batman and everything that he stands for.”
Who do you think is hiding behind the mask?
Last Updated: September 4, 2014
KingKappie
September 4, 2014 at 12:38
Who do you think is hiding behind the mask you ask?
Ben Affleck
Nikola
September 4, 2014 at 13:03
LOL!
John
September 15, 2014 at 05:28
Deathstroke
Spaffy
September 4, 2014 at 12:40
Can’t wait for Gotham to start on my favorite overseas channel
Brady miaau
September 4, 2014 at 12:48
Which is?
Sith JJ
September 4, 2014 at 12:48
The internet
Spaffy
September 4, 2014 at 12:50
Spot on
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 12:41
Alfred
Sith JJ
September 4, 2014 at 12:41
He’s an anti-hero. Pretty much the gun-carrying soldier version Batman.
Which is awesome
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 12:42
I wonder if he too, wears eye-liner…
Spaffy
September 4, 2014 at 12:52
This will never get old
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 4, 2014 at 12:53
It’s concealer! Er… I mean… camouflage.
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 12:54
It conceals the fact that he cross-dresses?
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 4, 2014 at 12:55
Awesomely like this guy?
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 13:00
O_O
Yondaime
September 4, 2014 at 12:57
and thus the battle for fabuloussness begins
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 12:59
I think he has a head start though :/
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 12:46
Joker
😛
Sith JJ
September 4, 2014 at 12:46
You joking right?
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 12:46
Why so serious?
Sith JJ
September 4, 2014 at 12:47
Whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you…stranger
Brady miaau
September 4, 2014 at 12:47
why not listen to the man in the box?
Sith JJ
September 4, 2014 at 12:48
madness is a lot like gravity, you know…all it takes is a little push
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 12:50
…it’s….gooooone
Sith JJ
September 4, 2014 at 12:51
I don’t wanna kill you, what would I do without you? Go back to rippin’ off mob dealers… no, no, no… no you, you complete me.
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 12:52
You remind me of my father, I hated my father
Sith JJ
September 4, 2014 at 12:52
You can’t rely on anyone these days, you gotta do everything yourself,
don’t we? That’s ok, I came prepared, it’s a funny world we live in.
Speaking of which, you know how I got these scars?
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 12:54
Let’s put a smile on that face!
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 12:50
I LIKE THIS JOB
Brady miaau
September 4, 2014 at 14:29
day job?
Spaffy
September 4, 2014 at 12:52
If you are good at something, never do it for free
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 12:53
Don’t talk like one of them. You’re not! Even if you’d like to be. To them, you’re just a freak, like me! They need you right now, but when they don’t, they’ll cast you out, like a leper! You see, their morals, their code, it’s a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They’re only as good as the world allows them to be. I’ll show you. When the chips are down, these… these civilized people, they’ll eat each other. See, I’m not a monster. I’m just ahead of the curve
Sith JJ
September 4, 2014 at 12:53
My personal favourite:
“You won’t kill me because of some misplaced sense of self-rightousness. And I won’t kill you because…you’re just too much fun. I get the feeling that you and I are destined to do this forever.”
Brady miaau
September 4, 2014 at 12:46
Is it a bit redundant in this case to rip off the mask and, in a deep and husky voice, say “I am BATMAN”?
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 4, 2014 at 12:52
Darryn is the Arkham Knight. Think about it.
All those years obsessing about Batman, living Batman, BEING Batman… yet does Batman ever pay him any attention? No. Years of being ignored have left their mark, and he will be ignored no longer. Darryn will not stand for this! He will have his REVENGE!
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 13:00
Nah, the AK is much taller
Sith JJ
September 4, 2014 at 13:01
I hear Darryn likes his high heels and judging by his obsession with the Bat, maybe the only way to truly become him is to kill him.
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 13:03
“I her Darryn likes his high heels”
Ummm, huh?
Sith JJ
September 4, 2014 at 13:03
Sorry, I always assume most people here are smart enough to understand sentences regardless of the mistakes 😉
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 13:05
I understood that you have a liking for Darryn in high heels 😛
Sith JJ
September 4, 2014 at 13:06
With those legs, who doesn’t?
Admiral Chief Assassin
September 4, 2014 at 13:13
Short and hairy? Huehuehue
The D
September 4, 2014 at 14:13
Shut up, you’ll ruin the surprise and I’ll have to start mailing Rocksteady employees back to Warner Bros.
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 4, 2014 at 14:14
Mailing back… in pieces #amirite!
Rock789
September 4, 2014 at 16:35
Now that sounds like an epic storyline for Ben Affleck’s first solo Batman movie! 😉 I’d watch it!
Dean
September 4, 2014 at 12:56
Knowing the cameo’s that happened in the previous games, it could be Azrael or Hush.
ZubSaber a.k.a Hans
September 4, 2014 at 16:13
My vote’s Azrael at the moment. His bio just screams Arkham Knight.
Hammersteyn
September 4, 2014 at 12:56
Damian Wayne
Sith JJ
September 4, 2014 at 12:58
I think it’s John Wayne actually.
Hammersteyn
September 4, 2014 at 12:59
Lol no I mean Bruce’s son.
Sith JJ
September 4, 2014 at 12:59
Who says John Wayne isn’t the son he never told anyone about
Hammersteyn
September 4, 2014 at 12:59
Bwahaha
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 4, 2014 at 13:10
Damn. I was just going to say, “Me, because he never had a pard’ner” but then remembered the kids in hot pants & spandex.
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 4, 2014 at 13:02
No, his armour clearly has working knee joints.
Sith JJ
September 4, 2014 at 13:10
loool
Milesh Bhana
September 4, 2014 at 13:12
i doubt this. It would make sense, but we’ve not seen a grown up Damien yet.
I don’t think it’s one of the Robin’s either.
I’m thinking either Hush, Carmine, or a totally new character.
Sith JJ
September 4, 2014 at 13:12
Hush could make sense. That’s a really good one.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
September 4, 2014 at 13:30
The voice and char in the game, from what I’ve played, seem to young and lean to be hush. Could be – cos it makes sense and it’s unresolved..but I just don;t think so.
Milesh Bhana
September 4, 2014 at 13:47
ah that rules out Carmine Falcone too.
only reason i thought of him is because of his current involvement in the comics, but he’s more of a behind the scenes schemer than a action villain.
Hammersteyn
September 4, 2014 at 13:38
Well this would be first time that a villain appears in a game before a comic book.
Brady miaau
September 4, 2014 at 15:24
Nee, Bruce Wayne, another dimension
Norm
September 4, 2014 at 13:27
I really like the design of this guy.
Rock789
September 4, 2014 at 14:10
I’m quite looking forward to this game, I won’t lie. Man, 2014 was a great year to be a gamer. But 2015…? It’s shaping up to be something quite special!
Kikmi
September 4, 2014 at 15:43
i dont knwo if any of the missing robins can actually sustain a cashflow for that type of tech, although nightwing somehow does? I dont know why but I have a deathstrokey feeling to him, but i honestly dont think he’d flair out in such a big way over two games.
Decembermaloy
September 4, 2014 at 16:43
Arkham knight is female….
John
September 15, 2014 at 05:26
It’s death stroke as the arkham knight
John
September 15, 2014 at 05:31
The reason why deathstroke is arkham knight because he was offered a job at the ending of arkham origins
John
September 15, 2014 at 06:10
Deathstroke is the arkham knight, because at the ending of arkham origins deathstroke was offered a job and the group that freed him also gave him a new identity as the arkham knight and not mention he’s a person just like batman as fast as him and as silent as him