Batman: Arkham games are truly top-notch titles. They aren't just the best super hero games to be turned into a franchise out there, but they are also some of the best video games in general. What makes the series, so good is the fact that the folks at Rocksteady understand the DC Universe. They are just as big fans of the Batman as the actual players of the game. This means the titles are full of details related to the comic book source material, to the point that it is almost unreal.
The Arkham games are known to carry a lot of Easter eggs, references, and characters. Some of these are original to the Arkham-verse, while the others are directly from comics and movies. While most of these Easter eggs and references are merely visual, there are times when comic storylines are directly mentioned in the game. Let's check them out.
5 Batman: The Code
The Arkham-verse is a thing of its own, but it is inspired by a lot of different comics. While a lot of references will leave the fans with a mere Easter egg flavor, this one actually confirms that a comic storyline. When playing the fourth main game, players will hear Arkham Knight militia members talking about the time when Joker attempted to run for President. This is a direct indication that the story of the 1999s classic "Batman: The Code" is also a part of the Arkham universe. There are some other Batman stories as well which might be the point of reference for this. However, The Code seems the closest. That being said, it is amazing how many small details are hidden in dialogues or enemy chat.
4 Batman: The Long Halloween
The events of holiday killings have to be one of the most crucial times for the Batman, as all of this took place at a time when Bruce was pretty young and so was his vigilante persona. Throughout the story of 1996s, Batman: The Long Halloween we see a lot of moments where the Dark Knight grows as a character. This story isn't just a depiction of the early years but also a point where Batman comes face to face with many characters in the universe. These are the characters who'll play a big role in the future of the franchise.
In the storyline, He conducts a serial killing case during the time of Halloween, which is directly mentioned as a background story for the Batman in the fourth game. While on "A Perfect Crime" Most Wanted Mission, Alfred will talk to Bruce and reminds him that the events of this case are pretty similar to the ones that happened years ago during Halloween.
3 The Killing Joke
Being one of the most famous Batman comics, it is obvious that The Killing Joke is also a part of the story in Arkham-verse. In Batman: Arkham Origins, players will witness flashbacks to when Barbara Gordon was shot by Joker. This is a direct reference to the same story, including many other remarks by the Joker. On top, he specifically says Gordon is having a very bad day, similar to the monologue in The Killing Joke. Additionally, Batgirl: A Matter of Family DLC also references the overall story arc for the 1988s comic. The Killing Joke has not only re-released as a comic but was also converted into a full-fledged animated feature film. However, hopefully, the romance part of the film isn't true to the Arkham-verse.
2 Batman: Year One
This one is also a pretty clear one to be the part of Arkham-verse. Batman: Year One is the retelling of the Dark Knight's story in the first year of crime-fighting. This is the time Bruce comes face to face with his fears and wears the cowl for good. There are major hints that reveal that Year One is actually the backstory of Arkham's Batman.
In Arkham Origins, players can find the extortion tapes, where Loeb is having a conversation with Black Mask. The conversation is about none other than Arnold Flass, who is part of Batman: Year One. There's another tape which mentions Gordon's affair with Sarah, basically solidifying the events of the 1987s comic as a part of Arkham-verse. Moreover, there are countless other details in the third game that brings it closer and closer to Year One Batman.
1 Batman: A Death In The Family
While it is obvious to anyone who played the fourth main Arkham game, the events of Batman: A Death in the Family are pretty much confirmed for Arkham-verse. However, part of it was confirmed years before the release of Arkham Knight. While playing Batman: Arkham City, players will have a choice to be different characters. If the players decide to enter the Joker's Funhouse challenge map as none other than the Robin, Joker will make a remark by saying, "Didn't I kill you already?" which is basically a plot of the 1988s classic. In addition to that, Batman: Arkham Knight dives more fully into this storyline.