Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League received a new story trailer at DC FanDome 2021, providing the first prolonged look at the game since its orginal reveal. As the game's title would indicate, the Justice League play massive role in the upcoming game, with Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, and Green Lantern all showing up. Interestingly, the new Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League trailer also has a brief clip of the Batmobile, which should be alarming for those who played Rocksteady Studios' Batman: Arkham games.
The Arkham series made Rocksteady one of the best-known AAA game developers currently working. In its trilogy, Rocksteady provides a strong, well-researched depiction of Batman and his legendary mythos. With 2015's Batman: Arkham Knight, Batman's story ends with little room to see the character return. Since Rocksteady confirmed Kill the Justice League is set in the Arkhamverse, it lead many to believe that this really would be the first game in that series without Batman. However, that may not be the case.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (Except Batman)
As mentioned, Batman's story ends in Batman: Arkham Knight, though its meaning has had fans divided for years. Essentially, after Bruce Wayneis revealed to be Batman, he detonates Wayne Manor in the game's finale, the so-called 'Knightfall' protocol, ending on a cliffhanger. The true ending of Arkham Knight reveals that a new Batman is now stalking Gotham, known as 'Knightmare' Batman, as they use the fear toxin created by Scarecrow. Whether it's actually Bruce Wayne in this new nightmarish form or somebody else is where the ongoing debate stands.
Going into Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, one of fans' biggest expectations is that Rocksteady clarifies what happened to Batman. While the DC FanDome 2021 trailer doesn't provide any real explanation about what happened, it at least hints that the character will be returning in some form. For just a couple of seconds, viewers can see a redesigned Batmobile with the definitive Arkham Bat-Symbol emblazoned on the front. Fittingly, one of the largest new mechanics introduced in Batman: Arkham Knight was the Batmobile, so seeing it in this trailer conjures images of that game's events.
Part of Arkham Knight's significance is that it tackles the identity of Bruce Wayne and Batman, a secret that is essential to the character in nearly every interpretation. For many members of Batman's rogues' gallery, part of why they fight the Caped Crusader is to expose his identity, as Scarecrow does in Arkham Knight.
For the character to formally return in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, it seems like Bruce Wayne's crimefighting days may be entering a new chapter, one where his identity no longer matters. Though Bruce Wayne himself may have drastically changed since Arkham Knight, considering he was potentially using the fear toxin in the game's true ending.
Regardless of Batman's fate in Arkham Knight, it makes sense he would appear in some capacity in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, as he is a member of the heroic group. In the Arkham games, Rocksteady Studios made frequent teases to the greater DC Comics Universe, with posters for Metropolis in Arkham Knight and references to other major characters. Although there is still nothing confirmed about who is driving the Batmobile, it is strange the trailer chose to show practically all the other Justice League members while leaving the only representation of Batman to his car. Clearly, there's something more for fans to anticipate.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, scheduled to release in 2022.