Onto Joker in general; another rather large lie from Rocksteady, Warner Bros. and Mark Hamill combined. Following the close of Arkham City, Joker was dead - all involved confirmed as much in every possible interview, before cremating the Clown Prince as the opening scene in Arkham Knight. Except he's not dead, not really - he 'lives on' as a Liquid Snake's arm-style version inside Batman's head (or as a fractured part of his psyche, either way it's all-new Joker material) alongside having his infected blood from City create five new 'Jokers' who take on his characteristics. Now, these infected people aren't a major problem, they're fine for what they are - it's more the overuse of Hamill's Joker who starts popping up in every.single.scene. He gets in the way of Barbara's 'death' (something that incongruously links to Scarecrow later faking it, as Batman seemed to just be believing what he never saw), makes light of all the 'big reveal' scenes - and even sings to Batman for a good five minutes at one point. Bringing him back is clearly fan-service after the outcry of a potentially Joker-less Arkham game, but it feels more like Rocksteady shoving as much of him down your throat as possible as they scream "You wanted him!? Here he is, take all you can stomach!" like some purple icing-topped cake. And after a while - well, after the Barbara scene really - he simply overstays his welcome in increasingly obstructive ways. What did you love and hate about Arkham Knight? Let us know in the comments!
