Batman: Arkham Shadowhas become a welcome addition to the growingBatman: Arkhamseries, and those with a Meta Quest VR headset can truly enjoy theone-of-a-kind experienceof being Batman in a thrilling tale that will unwind Blackgate and have repercussions for Gotham City entirely. In thisBatman: Arkham Asylumprequel, plenty of easter eggs are sprinkled in to make the experience even more rewarding to Batman fans.
Batman: Arkham Shadowhas a plethora of easter eggs, from those who are die-hard comic fans and to those who are familiar with theArkhamgames fromArkham OriginstoArkham Knight. There’s a lot of love fromBatman: Arkham Shadow, and here are some of the best easter eggs we found.
10Officer Boles
The Corrupt Security Staff of Arkham Asylum
Frank Boles was firstintroduced inBatman: Arkham Asylum, where he is revealed to be on Joker’s payroll and aids in the kidnapping of Commissioner Gordon. While Boles meets his end in the game, he finds new origins within Blackgate as a Tyger security guard.
The scar over his left eye notes Boles, and that’s as clear as day inBatman: Arkham Shadow. While Boles doesn’t have much to do, he does bring Matches Malone to his cell and can be seen on guard duty a few times, further connecting the Arkhamverse together.
9Selina Kyle Leaves a Mark
A Voicemail from Selina and the Roman’s Scar Shows the Catwoman on the Hunt
One of the voicemails that Batman can listen to in his Batcave under Blackgate is from Selina Kyle, the famed flame of Bruce Wayne and the Catwoman who takes the heart of both Bruce and Batman. As the origin of their romance, it’s clear that Selina Kyle, in the voicemail, doesn’t know Bruce’s secret identity, but it’s obvious that she’s already the Catwoman.
Selina talks of heading to Rometo find family, which indicates that she already knows her father is Carmine Falcone – indicated by the mob boss himself having a notable scar on his cheek that shows how Catwoman has scratched his face before.
8Poison Ivy and the Floronic Man
Pamela Isley and Jason Woodrue’s Origins
There are a few references to Poison Ivy inBatman: Arkham Shadows – Most notably when Dr. Crane reveals that his early renditions of fear toxin use specific chemicals from Isley’s plants. However, one of the more notable aspects is a newspaper that can be found that references Dr. Pamela Isleyand Jason Woodrueto co-direct a Bio Wing at Gotham State University.
It’s a tragic and foreshadowing newspaper, since Jason Woodrue is the manipulator and scientist who tricked Pamela into falling in love with him, only to use her in twisted experiments that would make her Poison Ivy. On top of that, his experiments would lead him to become the Floronic Man – Two plant-obsessed villains.
7The Order of Saint Dumas
Fanatic Knight Templars With Strong Gotham Ties
Thosefamiliar with theArkhamgameswill recognize Azrael, a man driven to the brink of insanity who swore loyalty to the religious order of St. Dumas. Azrael took on the suit of Sorrows and the Sword of Sin, and both the armor and weapon that he wields can be found within the caverns underneath Blackgate.
Seeing the giant statue of Azrael just shows how far the reaches of the Order of St. Dumas go in Gotham City, as their place within the underground systems of Blackgate shows deep roots that are unknown to most.
6Aaron Helzinger (Amygdala)
A Lesser Known Batman Villain Has His Own Cell
On the way to Dr. Crane’s office, there’s a specific cell holding Aaron Helzinger. This villain might not be the most well-known, and heisn’t featured at all in theArkhamgames, but it’s a fun touch for those who know the best and worst of Batman’s rogues gallery.
Aaron Helzinger’s cell cannot be interacted with, but the villain name of this character is Amygdala – a man who becomes increasingly violent and homicidal with each surgery that attempts to cure him of his clusters and psychotic episodes. With his imprisonment, it’s safe to say that didn’t work.
5Remnants of Bane
Bane and His Faction Are Not All Gone in Blackgate
The events ofBatman: Arkham Originswere great for Bane and his devoted followers. That was untilBatman ruined their Christmasand put them all behind bars. One such reference to Bane can be found in The Yard of Blackgate, where a former captain and loyalist of Bane, Bird, can be found.
Bird isn’t the only reference to Bane, as there is a Venom Detox room in Dr. Crane’s office, which could indicate that either Venom-addicted followers come here for therapy – or it’s actually the cell of Bane, who would be recovering from the hulking and original TN-1 formula.
4Harleen Quinzel’s Obsession
Joker’s Favor is Almost Here
Dr. Harleen Quinzel genuinely shows concern and compassion for her patients, and it’s tragic to see how nice she is in group therapy sessions only to know that she ends up as Joker’s girlfriend and sidekick as the twisted and murderous Harley Quinn.
Players can find Harleen’s origins as Harley deep within Blackgate, as a notepad has her scribblings surrounding her growing crush on Joker – along with a raunchy poster of a pin-up girl with Joker’s head pasted on the calendar. Perhaps worst of all, is Joker’s cell in Solitary being wide open, with a note from Harleen that shows she’s the one that freed him.
3The 5th-Dimensional Imp, Bat-Mite
A Bite-Sized Bat Stops a Diamond Heist
There are a few references to a second imposter Batman inBatman: Arkham Shadow, but one of the most encouraging is a newspaper found on Dr. Harleen Quinzel’s desk that speaks of a Bite-Size Bat. This could be in reference to the original Batgirl, or, it could actually be speaking of a literal tiny Batman, with Bat-Mite.
Considering the newspaper has an interview with one of the thieves that say he shot him, it could be implying that this indeed is the 5th-dimensional imp who has a Batman obsession, and how Bat-Mite is just goofing off in Gotham City doing what his favorite hero would.
2The Origins of Dick Grayson
One of the Rats is Batman’s First Robin
The origins of Dick Grayson are well-known, as Bruce Wayne brought in this orphan after the tragic death of his parents, the Flying Graysons, after a freak accident at Haley’s Circus. However,Batman: Arkham Shadowhas their first meeting go a tad differently, as Dick Grayson is actually one of the Rats that Batman fights at Monarch Theater.
There are many reasons that this is Dick Grayson. Firstly, the voice is from Josh Keaton – Robin’s voice actor fromBatman: Arkham OriginsOnline. This character also holds the broken chair legs like Escrima sticks, and there’s a Haley’s Jacket pin on his jacket. To top it all off, this Rat and Dick Grayson have the same haircut.
1The Spot Where Thomas and Martha Wayne Died
Pay Respect to the Death of Bruce Wayne’s Parents
In Crime Alley past the Monarch Theater, players can find a plaque on the floor that is dedicated to the loving memory of Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne. This plaque is as clear as day, and a single red rose lays beside it – showing the specific spot where Thomas and Martha Wayne were murdered all those years ago with Bruce helpless to watch.
The death of Bruce’s parents directly led him to become Batman, and it’s a painful reminder that Bruce must endure every time heputs on the cowl, and every time he comes to Crime Alley to pay his respects to the parents he lost.
