Like many big video game franchises, the Batman Arkham series loves to offer special bonus content for fans who pre-order the latest game. Arkham Asylum offered pre-orderers the opportunity to access a special Villains Challenge Map, pitting Batman against Scarecrow and his goons. Arkham City made the Tim Drake version of Robin available as a playable character with two new challenge maps. A number of alternate Batman costumes were available from various retailers as well.
In June 2014, Rocksteady announced that Harley Quinn would be a playable character in her own special story mission in the upcoming conclusion to the trilogy, Batman: Arkham Knight. Now we know that she's not the only add-on character with new content.
Batman News scored a leak that shows what appears to be an ad from GameStop (viewable below). The advertisement reveals that Batman villain the Red Hood will be playable in Arkham Knight in a story pack of his own. It's a pre-order bonus that GameStop has teased on Twitter and promised to confirm sometime today (June 23, 2014). It's no coincidence that San Diego Comic-Con kicks off tonight with the annual three-hour "Preview Night." The show proper opens tomorrow morning.
The leaked advertisement shows off the Red Hood's stylized "Arkham" look, with his signature crimson hoodie, a red Batman logo on his t-shirt, a wicked-looking pistol in each hand and plenty of spare ammo strapped to his thighs, Lara Croft-style. "Play as the ruthless vigilante," reads the ad.
In the Batman comics, various characters have used the Red Hood alias, but the most well known is Jason Todd. Todd was the second character to take on the Robin mantle as Batman's sidekick, following Dick Grayson's graduation to grown-up hero Nightwing. Todd was never happy in the sidekick role, preferring a more violent style of doling out justice than Batman was comfortable with.
Gamers have been speculating about the true identity of the Arkham Knight in the title since the game was announced. Might Arkham Knight be a new guise for none other than Jason Todd? Anything's possible, and his inclusion as a playable character certainly ups his significance in the game.
Batman: Arkham Knight comes to next-generation consoles and PC February 24, 2015.
Bat-fans headed to Comic-Con are encouraged to visit a special art exhibit at the Hard Rock Hotel. Titled "Cape/Cowl/Create," it features works by artists and celebrities from varied backgrounds and disciplines, interpreting the new Batsuit design from Batman: Arkham Knight.
