The Arkham Knight is designed to be a mockery of everything Batman stands for

Sep 4, 2014 09:59 GMT  ·  By

Rocksteady Games' upcoming entry in the Arkham franchise, Batman: Arkham Knight, will introduce a brand new arch-enemy for the caped crusader, potentially one of the strongest opponents that Bruce Wayne has ever faced.

The Arch-villain is shrouded in mystery, appearing like a dark reflection of Batman himself, commanding an elite military force that has taken control of Gotham City.

The Arkham Knight is determined to take down Batman, and he seems to know everything there is to now about Batsy, from his tactics and gadgets to his vulnerabilities, which he intends to use in order to emerge victorious.

His very identity is a mockery of the Dark Knight, creating an image that imitates the outlook of Batman, inspiring his army and bringing fear into the ranks of his enemies.

In a piece in the latest issue of GamesTM, Lead Character Artist Albert Feliu offered some insight into how Rocksteady approached the creation of the titular villain from the upcoming Batman: Arkham Knight.

"The mask is a vital component of many super villains, and we needed the Arkham Knight's helmet to achieve a range of different things. Firstly, it needs to cover his face in order to conceal any sense of the man underneath. Next, it provides him with a detailed heads-up display that keeps track of his forces moving throughout Gotham City."

"This information is projected across the inside of his visor, creating the illusion of those inhuman eyes and giving him a face that is equal parts ghostly and robotic," Feliu explains.

The Arkham Knight's armor is both a psychological weapon against Batman and a defense against the tactics most commonly used by Bruce Wayne. By claiming the logo of Arkham Asylum as his own, he is aiming to put the savior of Gotham City at a disadvantage.

He poses a veritable threat to Gotham, and his high-tech, military background is conveyed through the design of his gauntlets, boots and armor, unreflective and intimidating. His gloves are made in the image of Batman's very own, offering enough armor to withstand attacks from instruments such as the bat claw.

The red camouflage pattern on his armor is meant to make him both instantly identifiable to his troops as well as to conceal him in the gloomy shadows of Gotham's neon-lit alleyways.

He is first and foremost a military commander, as reflected by the design of his helmet, but as Batman will soon find out, he is also a skilled close-quarters combatant. His utility belt is designed to mirror the Dark Knight's own arsenal of tricks, providing him with potent gadgets for use in personal confrontations.

His ears serve a dual purpose, acting as both transmitters aiding the Arkham Knight to control his army and deploy orders, and an attack on Batman's own persona and on everything he stands for.