Deathstroke
Deathstroke appeared in the most recent game in this series Arkham Origins. This would be Rocksteady’s first opportunity to shape the character to match their vision for the finale. To may fans Arkham Origins is not canon due to a different studio developing the game.
From what we have seen of the Arkham Knight, he bears a striking resemblance to Deathstroke’s armour, albeit with the exception of bat-ears. It would be easy for Slade Wilson to modify his costume to include this addition in order to become the Arkham Knight. With the description of a ‘militarised version of Batman’, and Deathstroke having a career in the military before becoming a mercenary, it could be likely.
Rocksteady seem to want to distance themselves from Arkham Origins, therefore characters who only appeared in that game may get a chance to appear in the final instalment as a unique Rocksteady incarnation anyway. There is no confirmation that Deathstroke would be in the game and Deathstroke would hardly be the set piece villain of the entire series anyhow.
Ra’s al Ghul
Now this one would seem lazy as it would copy Batman Begins too much, as well as going over old ground from Arkham City. While you thought Hugo Strange was the main villain, the man in the shadows actually pulling the strings was Ra’s all along. To have Ra’s as the main villain yet again is would prove repetitive and disappoint fans.
That said, Ra’s al Ghul certainly has the skill set to take on Batman. With the Arkham Knight armour he would prove to be a more far more formidable foe than previously imagined. Back in Arkham City the character supposedly met his death by being impaled – but Ra’s has access to Lazarus Pits and can heal himself, forever making him immortal. He may return to the series in Arkham Knight having only previously one appearance and therefore his return would seem less like a retread.
It would make sense story wise if Ra’s Al Ghul tuned out to be the Arkham Knight. There is still no confirmation that the character will return at all, so this could be a surprising reveal.
Honourable Mention – The Joker
Rocksteady have announced that the Joker is dead. That’s right, dead – he is not coming back. They seem pretty adamant about that don’t they? Maybe this is simply to disguise the fact that the legendary villain is really the Arkham Knight.
As much as fans want the Joker to return, there are serious doubts that he is the Arkham Knight; bringing him back from the dead would weaken the powerful ending of Arkham City. How powerful was the scene when we saw Batman carry the Joker’s broken body to Gordon before placing it on the car, hammered home by the sadness in Harley Quinn’s eyes when she realised her lover was dead?
The Joker’s death gives Harley the motivation to avenge him – we already know that she will feature as a villain in this game. While some fans don’t want the Joker to return in any shape or form as it would ruin the previous game – others jump at the idea.
The Joker was completely insane and even if brought back from the dead somehow (maybe through a Lazarus Pit) he does not possess the patience or the skill to become a ‘militarised’ version of Batman unlike some of the other characters on this list.
The Joker has proven to be one of Batman’s most formidable foes, however his fighting style is sloppy compared to other characters and he does not have the discipline to use military skills in the same capacity of what we have seen from the trailers. Even though Rocksteady have revealed the Joker shall remain dead, fans still aren’t buying it.
If this is the big reveal, the majority of fans would be let down as this would be a highly predictable ending.
Do you think one of these characters could be The Arkham Knight? Let us know who you think it might be…
Thomas Roach
Originally published October 14, 2014. Updated April 15, 2018.
