Early Access Reveals: The Exclusion of Arkham Origins
With “Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League” now available for early access players, DC Comics fans are diving into Rocksteady’s first post-Batman game set within the Arkhamverse. However, an early scene in the game suggests Rocksteady’s continued stance of not recognizing WB Montreal’s “Batman: Arkham Origins” as part of the Arkham story universe, sparking discussion among fans.
The Batman Experience: A Walk Through Dark Knight’s History
About an hour into “Suicide Squad,” players, controlling a group of infamous villains, encounter ‘The Batman Experience,’ an interactive exhibit at the Metropolis History Museum. This section allows players to explore Batman’s heroic journey and his encounters with various adversaries. Commentary by Gotham reporter Jack Ryder adds depth to these exhibits, highlighting key moments and villains in Batman’s life.
Notable Absence: Arkham Origins Overlooked
Despite the extensive showcase of Batman’s history, players will notice a glaring omission – no reference to “Batman: Arkham Origins,” the prequel developed by WB Montreal. Rocksteady has often referred to their Arkham series as a trilogy, starting with “Arkham Asylum,” but the exclusion of “Origins” has been a longstanding point of contention among fans.
Understanding Rocksteady’s Stance
The decision to exclude “Arkham Origins” from the Arkhamverse narrative raises several questions. Is this a deliberate snub towards WB Montreal, or is it a respectful acknowledgment of not wanting to take credit for a game they didn’t develop? Or could this be a directive from Warner Bros. for undisclosed reasons?
Selective Storytelling in Exhibits
In the museum exhibits, villains like Deathstroke and Firefly are showcased, but only their roles in Rocksteady’s titles, specifically “Arkham Knight,” are mentioned. Key events and characters from “Arkham Origins,” such as Batman’s confrontation with Firefly atop a bridge or his melee duel with Deathstroke in Blackgate prison, are conspicuously absent. Even primary “Origins” characters like Black Mask are overlooked, while secondary villains from Rocksteady’s games receive attention.
Rocksteady’s Narrative Choices: Deliberate or Dictated?
The deliberate exclusion of “Arkham Origins” in “Suicide Squad” continues a trend that has long been evident in Rocksteady’s approach to the Arkham series. This editorial choice, whether made by Rocksteady or Warner Bros., positions “Origins” as an alternate storyline, separate from the main Arkham narrative.
Arkhamverse’s Selective Canon and Fan Speculation
As players progress through “Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League,” the absence of “Arkham Origins” references seems to reaffirm its status as an outlier in the Arkhamverse. This choice, intentional or otherwise, has sparked debate among fans about the broader narrative continuity within the Arkham series and the decisions behind these storytelling elements. As the game unfolds, it remains to be seen if any acknowledgment of “Arkham Origins” will surface, or if it will continue to be viewed as a separate entity in the expansive Arkham universe.
