The comic book genre is filled with richness, complexity, layers, and diversity. It offers a list of different avenues for fans to explore. No matter which company distributes the stories, there are multiple worlds within one, single, main world. Horror clashes with myth, science fiction clashes with political thrillers and fantasy clashes with mystery. It’s what makes the comic genre so unique because these worlds and characters constantly coexist. One character has a large world within a world that his own corner could stand for itself, and, all those genres still coexist. That world is Batman’s. Batman has such a rich world that an interconnected universe could naturally fit. Some animated movies have taken advantage of these. Most importantly, the books have done well in telling overlapping stories that center around Batman in a single, self-contained narrative. But one medium has not taken Batman’s rich world and created a self-contained story; a fighting game. Batman has enough characters in his rouges gallery and allies to have a rich fighting game.
The Injustice games have already planted the seeds for a possible game. In Injustice: Gods Among Us, a handful of the roster was Batman and some of his characters. Yet, in Injustice 2, Netherrealm doubled down on the Batman characters. Ten of the characters in the game were Batman, his allies, and villains. In fact, that was enough for fans to criticize the choices. Some were obvious choices which included Red Hood which had high fan demand going into the game. But other characters like Scarecrow were a bit more questionable since the character doesn’t rely on physical contact to fight. Yet, Netherrealm was able to pull off the characters in exciting ways. So, the Batman world has already been adapted into two separate highly praised games. The idea has already been set up.
The game could also open doors for Batman characters that could use more of a spotlight or a brighter one. The Court of Owls were an instant hit when they debuted in the early days of the New 52. Assassins known as Talons were the muscle of the organization. This game could allow one of them, practically Lincoln March since he was Bruce Wayne’s brother in that universe, to step onto a much bigger stage. For fans that love the Court and the Talons, this would be the first time to be at the helm of the character. Bladed weaponry and projectiles will be the core of Talon’s fighting style. Then assuming Netherrealm will be the ones to hyper-focus in this theoretical game, there is a Batman character that is tailor-made to be in one of their games. Many of the characters in the Mortal Kombat games are mystical, mythical, immortal, and great fighters. Ra’s al Ghul fits all those boxes. Even though he is a perfect candidate to be in a fighting game, the Demon’s head has yet to be in one of these games. In a game where there is much more emphasis on Batman characters, this could be his chance to be playable. Then other characters like Killer Croc, which has been a fun stage transition in the last two Injustice games, could finally get a playable slot. In addition to his more famous rouges and allies, Batman has gained more of them in recent years. They have been carving their mark within the Batman and DC mythos. A roster spot in this game could help them make their stay more permanent and known. Ghostmaker and Punchline could greatly benefit from this type of opportunity. This game could blend the more traditional with the modern. Thus, capitalizing on the vastness of Batman lore.
This obviously plays into the oversaturation of Batman media. Batman has the most out there. In a few years, there will be two separate cinematic Batmen coexisting at the same time with no connection. Needless to say, other DC characters need a slot in an Injustice game like John Constantine, A.M.A.Z.O., Beast Boy, Red Tornado, Plastic Man, and Metamorpho. Yet, there’s something that seems to be special for a character that could have a fighting game with a vast roster that centers just around his world. It’s a testament to the great characters that are the building blocks of the smaller Batman universe within the DC universe. Whenever there is something related to Batman that comes out, it does leave fans to wonder why this character was chosen over that character. In this medium, there will be a character that many fans want to see, and want to play. It will fulfill many of fans wishes to see particular characters. This game could accomplish many things at once; capitalize on Batman’s vast roster of allies and villains and please fans by having them know their favorite Batman character is being represented. And as for those characters, the roster could look something like this;
Batman
Nightwing
Catwoman
Red Hood
The Joker
Red Robin
Ra’s al Ghul
Harley Quinn
Robin (Damien Wayne)
Batgirl
Talon
Bane
Mr. Freeze
Punchline
Manbat
Ghostmaker
Owlman
Talia al Ghul
Batwing
Killer Croc
Prometheus
Lady Shiva
Deadshot
Huntress
Deathstroke
Soloman Grundy
Batman Beyond
Batman Who Laughs
Clayface
Batwoman
Poison Ivy
