The Arkham Franchise: Joker Takes Center Stage in Batman's Shadow
The Arkham franchise truly delves into the depths of the Joker's narrative, as his presence is felt from his initial introduction to his demise, and even beyond in haunting echoes A gripping journey that brilliantly showcases the Joker as the central figure throughout
Highlights
The Arkham villains in the franchise have a significant impact and make a larger impression than Batman.
Mr. Freeze, as a recurring antagonist, brings a greater level of complexity to the franchise and significantly enhances the ongoing storyline.
In the Arkham games, the Joker holds a pivotal position, initiating and concluding the narrative, and his absence in upcoming editions will undoubtedly be noticed.
Batman is often remembered as the main character in the Arkham franchise, as players follow him throughout the entire series. However, other characters, including some antagonists, also become playable in various ways, and they arguably have a greater impact on the franchise than Batman himself. Instead, Batman serves as the vessel through which Gotham and Arkham's criminal underworld can be observed, allowing the criminals he pursues to be more complex and dynamic.
This is further enhanced by the presence of recurring villains in the franchise, with some being more prominent than others. For example, it is fascinating to witness Mr. Freeze's complete journey in the Arkham series, from his impressive introduction in Arkham Origins' Cold, Cold Heart DLC to his bittersweet conclusion in Arkham Knight's In From the Cold DLC. The Arkham universe is still progressing with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, but the absence of the Joker, who has been the franchise's perpetual antagonist, will mark a significant turning point and will undoubtedly be deeply felt.
The Arkham Games Chronicle Joker’s Story from Beginning to End
The Arkham Asylum is a captivating depiction of the numerous villains that Batman continuously apprehends and confines within its gothic walls. Among them, the Joker undoubtedly takes center stage, masterminding a scheme to transform inmates from Blackgate prison and granting them the freedom to roam the Asylum's premises. From the very beginning, the Asylum succeeds in creating a remarkably intricate world, where it feels as though Batman's crime-fighting has already been extensively documented.
The interactions between Batman and each villain not only reveal that they have crossed paths before, but also emphasize that Batman has incarcerated them on multiple occasions. His dynamic with the Joker is no exception. As the story progresses in the sequel, "City," the narrative initially introduces Professor Hugo Strange as the main antagonist, with the Joker making a swift return. While removing the Joker from the equation might have allowed the franchise to explore new avenues without his presence as a recurring Arkham villain, it ultimately proves to be a bold and rewarding decision, as the Joker's unexpected and definitive demise occurs in the climactic moments of "City."
The prequel story of Origins in the game City allows fans to believe that Joker may not be present until his eventual revelation. However, this actually solidifies Origins as an exceptional origin for Joker, as well as his relationship with Batman. Without Joker in the story of Origins, the franchise would solely belong to Batman, but his role as the lead antagonist emphasizes his significance to the overall narrative of the franchise.
Additionally, it was even more surprising to witness Joker appear once again in Arkham Knight as a hallucination witnessed by Batman. Eventually, players have the ability to finally put his memory to rest and leave him behind by the end of the game. If fans examine the tetralogy in this manner, the story revolves around both Batman and Joker, with Joker potentially playing an even more central role than Batman.
The franchise has consistently honored both characters, but Joker's character undergoes more extensive development and continues to haunt Batman even after death. This indicates that the Arkham games' storyline has deeply intertwined with Joker's portrayal. Now, as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League moves on from Joker definitively, it is possible that it will also let go of its portrayal of Batman. Only time will reveal whether players will have the opportunity to kill off the beloved Caped Crusader, whom they previously played as in every Arkham game.
