In the highly anticipated game Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, there has been one particular plot point that has stirred up mixed feelings among fans. The game introduces the idea that Arkham Batman, a character beloved by players over the course of three games, will meet his demise in this universe. Adding to the emotional impact, this also marks the final performance of the iconic Batman voice actor, Kevin Conroy, who sadly passed away in late 2022 (with one more animated onscreen performance in the works).
Now that the game has been played through, including all the Batman content, it's time to address whether this storyline is seen as 'disrespectful' towards Conroy or the Arkham Batman. Before diving into spoilers, it's important to note that this article will touch upon the gameplay and events in early access.
From the beginning of the game, Batman is portrayed as the leader of Brainiac's corrupted Justice League. Throughout the game, players hear Batman's communications expressing his frustration with the Suicide Squad's increasing interference. At the start, there is a thrilling sequence where Batman hunts down the members of the Suicide Squad individually, shifting the player's perspective to that of the hunted. However, the subsequent 'boss fight' against Batman is underwhelming, featuring a room filled with fear gas and a series of quicktime events. This culminates in a somewhat lackluster bullet sponge battle against a nightmarish version of Batman.
The controversial moment occurs at the end of this fight, where Batman is left gravely injured and dragged into the center of town as bait for Superman. It is during this sequence that Harley delivers a speech, which many interpreted as less about disrespecting Batman and more about her own triumph. She remarks that after the countless villains Batman has faced, it is she who ultimately defeated him. This moment provides an interesting character development for Harley.
Contrary to leaks and rumors, Harley does not carve a bat symbol into Batman's chest. Instead, she simply shoots him before Superman enters the scene, thereby initiating the boss fight against the Man of Steel. It's important to clarify this misinformation to prevent further confusion.
It would be unfair to blame Rocksteady for Conroy's last major performance being in a game where Batman is portrayed as evil and ultimately killed. At the time of development, nobody could have predicted that this would be Conroy's final portrayal. The game does pay tribute to him in the credits, offering a eulogy that not only applies to Batman but also serves as a heartfelt farewell to Conroy. While some players might be confused if they are unaware of the circumstances surrounding Conroy's passing, the gesture is appreciated by those who understand its significance.
As for the concern regarding Arkham Batman's fate after three games, it's worth noting that this is a comic book world where anything is possible. Although the game leaves some unanswered questions, the Arkhamverse presents numerous avenues for resurrection or alternate realities. There are countless ways to bring characters back from the dead, such as time manipulation, parallel universes, or the mystical Lazarus Pit. If the intent is for Arkham Batman to return, it may have to be done without Conroy unless he had already recorded lines for future content.
If there is one aspect of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League that feels disrespectful, it's the way the game and its ending were altered to prioritize its live service model. However, that discussion deserves separate attention. When it comes to the 'evil Batman' storyline, the game effectively sets up Batman as a formidable mastermind if he were on the opposing side. Taking this into consideration, the scene involving Harley's actions is not poorly executed.
Undoubtedly, it will be a somber realization if this is indeed the last time we see Kevin Conroy as Batman. While this may not be Rocksteady's fault, it remains a bittersweet development for fans.
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