Gotham Knights is an exciting project for several reasons, and one of the biggest is the use of Batman’s Rogues Gallery. With Mr. Freeze already shown, a Joker appearance being possible (though unlikely), and The Court of Owls confirmed, players will have plenty of foes to battle when they take control of the Bat Family later this year. However, it is entirely possible that the game’s main antagonist could still be hidden away, and one candidate jumps out as the most fitting foe for the team of heroes.
Gotham Knights has the potential to introduce a villain that has yet to be used in a video game, as the DC antagonist Owlman is still ripe for exploration. Boasting a skillset that compliments the game’s four main characters along with an interesting connection to their deceased mentor Batman, a twist that reveals Owlman as the mastermind behind the Court of Owls could lead to some great story moments and unforgettable boss battles.
For those unfamiliar with the DC antagonist, Owlman has seen many variations over the years. However, one of the constants is his identity, as the majority of Owlmen seen in the comics share the name Thomas Wayne Jr. Coming from an alternate reality where the Waynes had two children, Thomas Wayne Jr. saw his entire family murdered before his eyes. Sometimes, this includes Bruce as well but not always. An obscure character that is unlikely to top any lists for must-have Gotham Knights villains, a whole new audience can discover Owlman’s story in the game.
One version of Thomas Wayne Jr.’s backstory is incredibly dark, as it sees Martha Wayne painted as an abusive mother and Thomas Wayne Sr. depicted as a corrupt doctor. With Owlman getting the help of Alfred to kill his parents in these versions of the story, a mind-blowing Gotham Knights twist could see Bruce Wayne’s trusted butler turning on the Dark Knight. Possibly being involved in Batman’s death prior to the events of Gotham Knights’ story, a turncoat version of Alfred could shock newcomers and veteran Batman fans alike by helping Owlman succeed in his evil plots.
Obviously, a twist like this would be incredibly risky, as it comes with plenty of baggage and messes with some beloved characters in major ways. While this would be an issue if Gotham Knights was set in Rocksteady’s Arkham universe, WB Montreal does not need to worry about adhering to previous continuity. With Gotham Knights taking place in its own, separate timeline, plenty of risks can be taken with the Batman mythos. With a different version of Batman having existed in the Gotham Knights universe, it is possible that Bruce’s backstory was slightly different — and that he had a brother named Thomas Wayne Jr.
The storytelling potential WB Montreal has due to the no-strings-attached nature of Gotham Knights is not limited to the inclusion of Owlman, however. Owlman himself could have different motives in this universe, as well as a new role as the head of The Court of Owls. While there is no connection between the Gotham-controlling group and Owlman in some of the comics, despite their similar names, WB Montreal could change this with Gotham Knights. Lincoln March, for example, believed himself to be Thomas Wayne Jr, was Owlman, and was a member of the Court of Owls in some parts of the mythos. The studio’s version of Owlman could going in a number of directions, then, serving as the leader of the Court, using the Talons to carry out his bidding, and/or actually being Batman’s brother or not.
While Owlman is not confirmed for Gotham Knights and this is purely speculation, the reality is that there is no better villain for the Bat Family. With Thomas Wayne Jr. boasting the exact same skills as Batman along with an added edge of cruelness, his role as the mastermind behind Bruce’s death and the Court of Owls faction could make for a thrilling final boss fight. Despite no story connection, the finale of the game could see Owlman wielding many of the same moves and tools that Batman used in the Arkham series, allowing players familiar with previous Batman titles to essentially fight against themselves.
Thematically, Owlman’s inclusion would also work well for Gotham Knights. Not only does each member of the Bat Family have an emotional connection to Batman, giving them an extra incentive to fight his potential killer, but the similarities between Batman and Owlman are clear. The Bat Family would essentially be fighting against their mentor, allowing them to escape from Batman’s shadow literally and figuratively upon winning the fight. Beating a foe that is essentially a twisted version of Batman is a great way for the young heroes to make a name for themselves and prove that they are more than just sidekicks. As such, it is hard to think of a more perfect choice for Gotham Knights’ true villain.
Gotham Knights launches 2021 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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