BATMAN ARKHAM CITY Sequel: What’s The Next Step?

By Alex McKay / June 29, 2012

The Return Of The Scarecrow

Of all the things Arkham Asylum was praised for, the thing that seemed to be praised the most were the twisted and delirious nightmare sequences that were engineered by Jonathan Crane, AKA The Scarecrow. Forming dark and scattered portal worlds that explored parts of the Dark Knights psyche, these Fear Gas induced sequences were easily the most memorable part of the game. But Scarecrows fate was not a kind one, the last we saw of him he was dragged down into a sewer by Killer Croc, seemingly eaten. But apparently Croc let him go. The first indication of this would be the final shot of the game if it had been played on the most difficult setting, which shows Cranes hand emerging from the water and gripping the container of Titan formula. And even though he never makes an appearance in Arkham City, Dr. Cranes presence is indeed there within its walls. Near the Sionis steel mill there are two cranes just off shore. Just underneath them is a small empty boat. No one on it, nothing of merit there, its simply there. Or so it would seem. The boat has a small entrance hatch that can only be opened via the Cryptographic Sequencer. Decoding the password (revealing it to be 'CITYOFTERROR'), the boat opens to reveal a dead body tied to a chair, crates full of cockroaches and a memo pinned to a beam addressed to a Dr. Jonathan Crane that states:

Customs Declaration:

Live insects for medical research

Shipping Notes:

Jonathan, I hope you find everything satisfactory. Mr. Fine was very specific about the shipping details and we have followed them to the letter. By now you will have received the initial 15 shipments. The rest are in transit and will be with you shortly.

So what exactly is this in aid of? Is this another strain of the Fear toxin? Could it be that the Titan formula, which has already proven to be deadly, has been added to it? It certainly seems that way, what with the dead body there. And what do the cockroaches have to do with it? Whatever the case, this cannot bode well. And that passwordmaybe that was what Azrael was referring to when he said Gotham will burn? Perhaps Crane plans to release his Toxin across Gotham, and then sit back and watch it descend into chaos. Also of note are the hidden messages that can only be found using the Cryptographic Sequencer. By tuning in to certain frequencies, a series of numbers are called out, seemingly at random. The numbers are in fact code, representing the letters of the alphabet. When decoded, the messages are revealed to be

Frequency 500.00/900.00

YOUWILLPAYFORWHATYOUHAVEDONETOME

Frequency 700.00/500.00

IWILLRETURNBATMAN

Frequency 200.00/500.00

FEARWILLTEARGOTHAMCITYTOSHREDS

At first glance, you could assume these messages are to do with The Riddler. Coded messages and cryptic references are the sort of things he lives for. But The Riddler already has a large presence in the game. Why would he set up vague hidden messaged on top of the life threatening traps he constructed? The only character who didnt reappear in Arkham City to try and gain revenge on Batman was Scarecrow. This notable absence raises suspicions and would indicate that Crane is the one behind the messages, but the clincher is that while trying to decode the third message, a passcode is needed. That passcode? 'SCARECROW'. And that Fear Will Tear Gotham City To Shredsthat one sounds a tad familiar, doesnt it? The plot thickens. But the possibilities dont stop there. Maybe Dini could once again take inspiration from the No Mans Land storyline from the comics and have Gotham annexed from the United States. Maybe Crane and Al Ghul will be working together to destroy Gotham. Perhaps the Order Of Saint Dumas plan to literally raze Gotham to the ground. And what of the characters yet to be utilised? Perhaps Nightwing and Robin would have larger roles next time. Maybe Batman would find help from the likes of Harvey Bullock, Renee Montoya and even Batwoman. Maybe we will see an appearance from Jason Todd, the one time Robin turned criminal The Red Hood. If the League Of Assassins and Ras Al Ghul are the main enemies, would we see Damian Wayne play a prominent role? Only time will tell, but I think theres something to that 'CITYOFTERROR' thing Next stop, Arkham Terror?