Batman: Arkham - Everything You Need To Know About The Court Of Owls

10. They Were Introduced During The New 52

Batman court of owls
DC Comics

Scott Snyder was handed the keys to the main Batman comic off the back of a highly successful stint on Detective Comics in 2011, and quickly made a mark on the character. Snyder's Batman, brought to life by artist Greg Capullo, was drenched in horror and became a true light in the dark, fighting against some of the most disturbing and sinister forces in Gotham City.

This was all realised during the duo's first arc on the series, which introduced the Court of Owls. Playing to themes Snyder established in The Black Mirror and Gates of Gotham, the Court were another secretive organisation that had existed in Gotham City for hundreds of years, operating in the shadows to influence the public and consolidate their own position in Gotham's society - at any cost.

They boast their own army of assassins, called Talons, and even have their own nursery rhyme for added (creepy) effect:

"Beware the Court of Owls, that watches all the time, ruling Gotham from a shadowed perch, behind granite and lime. They watch you at your hearth, they watch you in your bed. Speak not a whispered word about them, or they'll send the Talon for your head."

Regardless of the lore and backstory, fans will probably find it curious why it took them so long to get Batman's attention. The answer is fairly simple - because they wanted to.

The Court target Wayne after he decides to implement new developments and programs to transform Gotham for the better, as it threatened their own position. Could a similar plot line inspire their involvement in the next Batman game? Only time will tell.

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Content Producer/Presenter
Content Producer/Presenter

Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.