Gotham Knights Theory: Batman Is The Real Villain

Batman is usually depicted as Gotham City’s dark protector, but Gotham Knights could use Bruce Wayne’s death to make Batman its deadliest enemy.

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It’s a common trope for comic books to portray fan-favorite heroes as villains, and Gotham Knights could follow this pattern by making Batman the game’s true villain. Though Batman was always a darker hero than his Justice League compatriots, he’s usually stayed on the heroic side of DC’s war between good and evil. Instead of permanently killing Batman, Gotham Knights could twist the character into a villain against Nightwing, Red Hood, Batgirl, and Robin. The Dark Knight has become a force of evil many times in alternate universes and could be a severe danger to the world as a villain.

Though WB Games Montreal confirmed that Batman is not a playable character, few fans believe Batman is actually dead. Despite Nightwing, Red Hood, Batgirl, and Robin’s ‘promotion’ to the newest patrolling superheroes in Gotham Knights, the Caped Crusader’s absence ushers in a dark chapter for Gotham City. Dangerous villains like Mr. Freeze and the Court of Owls threaten its civilians with nefarious plots local law enforcement can’t possibly resolve. WB Games Montreal hasn’t revealed many details concerning Gotham Knights’ overarching story, but more information is sure to come as 2022 draws nearer.

Several DC comic storylines have pit Batman against his allies, whether due to brainwashing, a mental break, or a superhero civil war (like Injustice). Nightwing, Red Hood, and Red Robin (Tim Drake’s fully-fledged superhero persona) have all been on the receiving end of Batman’s brutality, but their mentor frequently holds them back. Though other Batman enemies exist throughout DC’s universe, villains like Joker shouldn’t be in Gotham Knights, especially following Batman’s death. Facing Batman as a villain could prove to be Gotham Knights’ greatest challenge, and there are many ways for WB Games Montreal to accomplish this.

Batman Could Have Faked His Death In Gotham Knights

Like many powerful superheroes, Bruce Wayne has been known to fake his death to gather intel on dangerous threats or escape the unforgiving life of vigilantism. While both of these seem like weak excuses, it’s also likely a villain could have faked Bruce Wayne’s death to use him as a weapon. Villains like Hugo Strange and the Court of Owls have discovered Batman’s identity in comics before and gone after Batman in his more vulnerable civilian identity. Since the Court of Owls is Gotham Knights’ primary villain, it wouldn’t be entirely out of the question for the Court to use Batman as their newest weapon against Gotham’s heroes.

As an influential secret society, the Court of Owls has a small army at its disposal known as Talons. However, the Court has also used a warrior called Owlman to eliminate enemies and obstacles in Gotham City throughout the years. Few Owlmen have existed over the organization’s lifetime, with the most notable being Lincoln March, also known as Thomas Wayne Jr., Bruce Wayne’s long-lost brother. If Gotham Knights doesn’t introduce Bruce Wayne’s brother, Batman could be utilized as the Court’s Owlman instead. As the city’s most powerful (former) protector, having Batman as an ally is invaluable to their plot for controlling Gotham.

Gotham Knights Could Be An Elaborate Bat-Family Test

Anyone who understands the intricacies of Batman’s character understands he’s not the most loving father figure or mentor. Young Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake underwent grueling training at Batman’s hands. Though this was an effort to forge more powerful crimefighters, Bruce’s treatment of his proteges was borderline physically and mentally abusive. Aside from their training, Batman has faked his death numerous times to test his Robins or face another threat. Batman’s death in Gotham Knights could serve as an evaluation for Nightwing, Red Hood, Batgirl, and Robin. Mr. Freeze and the Court of Owls are significant threats to Gotham City, and if Batman’s proteges successfully stop them, they would prove worthy of inheriting the Batman mantle. If this is Batman’s plan, this would make him the true villain of Gotham Knights.

If Bruce Wayne isn’t dead, he could simply be observing Gotham City’s status with Batman’s absence. Many villains and Batman-haters in DC have made the argument that without Batman, there would be no more supervillains. By removing himself from Gotham Knights, Batman could prove heroes are needed to keep the city safe. Batman’s character frequently prioritizes punishing the guilty rather than saving the innocent, which explains his nonsensical feud with the Joker and his reluctance to push for the death penalty for any of his enemies. A Bruce Wayne with twisted morals, such as from the Batman: White Knight comics storyline, could be an excellent main villain for Gotham Knights and prove not all heroes are what they seem.

Batman Could Really Be A Zombie In Gotham Knights

If Bruce Wayne truly died after the Wayne Manor explosion, there is another way for him to appear as a villain in-game. Gotham Knights proved Red Hood came back from the dead on the official website, though the details of his resurrection are hazy. The cycle of death and resurrection has been accomplished by many heroes, like Superman, Green Arrow, and The Flash. Several Batman villains also have the key to everlasting (or restorative) life, such as Ra’s Al Ghul from the League of Assassins. So if Bruce Wayne truly died before the story of Gotham Knights, the Court of Owls and League of Assassins both have the means to revive him.

If the League of Assassins revived Bruce after his death, he’d likely be brought back using a Lazarus Pit. Referencing the Biblical story of Lazarus rising from the dead, this green, bubbling pit can provide eternal life, but at the cost of one’s sanity. Victims can reclaim their mental capacity with enough time and treatment, but several characters have gone mad from its usage. Ra’s Al Ghul mastered the Lazarus Pit and used it to prolong his lifespan indefinitely, while Jason Todd wasn’t strong enough to resist its effects and went on a murderous rampage. If Bruce Wayne entered the pit, the League could reshape his mind to become their agent. Alternatively, if the Court of Owls placed Bruce into a cryostasis pod (like those seen in the Gotham Knights story reveal trailer), the Court could turn him into one of their mindless Talons.

Though it’s likely Batman won’t ever be a playable character in Gotham Knights, Bruce Wayne’s role in the story provides a vital conflict that needs to be solved. In addition, his effect on Gotham City’s new protectors as a mentor and father figure is a significant connection binding each character together. Gotham Knights has no official release date but is expected to release at some point in 2022 on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/gotham-knights-villain-batman-evil-bruce-wayne-death/