Batman Arkham: Court Of Owls - What We Know So Far

Rather fittingly, we've had to play detective in order to find some clues and news about the next big Batman game. Short of breaking into Warner Bros. Montreal, the internet has done almost everything in its collective power to discover what the devs there are working on.

For our trouble, all the studio has given us is a tweet with a mysterious, ever-shifting gif that says, "Capture the Knight / Cape sur la nuit."

For those who have brushed up on their Batman lore, you'll know that this is a reference to The Court of Owls, the elite cabal that has its talons sunk deep into Gotham. This might be Batman's greatest foe yet, and their clash seems all but confirmed, considering a now-deleted tweet by Scott Snyder. He told us to #bewarethecourtofowls, and he should know: he created them. 

This is why we're convinced the next Batman game will be Batman Arkham: Court of Owls.

Right now, the game isn't even officially confirmed. Therefore, we're at a complete loss as to when this game might release — if it even exists. While we're pretty convinced that yes, it's definitely in the works, no one — save for those working on it now — knows when Batman Arkham: Court of Owls could drop. 

We'll likely hear news soon, however. WB publicist Gary Miereau reassured voice actor Roger Craig Smith that "we'll let the cat out of the bag reasonably soon." This is likely about an announcement for the game, mind you, not the release date. Considering that tweet went out in September 2019, we're closer than ever to a Court of Owls announcement.

What is the Court of Owls? It's the secret order that pulls the strings behind all of Gotham's goings-on: from politics to the criminal underground. It gets its name from the round, barn owl-white masks that its members wear to keep their identities a secret. In spite of the masks, though, these Owls don't seem to be very scary. Who are a bunch of rich people when compared to the likes of the Joker? 

The thing is that Owls have talons; more specifically, assassins called The Talons. These ninjas operate under the sole purpose of executing the Court's will. They are specially trained from childhood to become killing machines; unfeeling and entirely deadly. The Court keeps them in a cryostasis-like slumber until they're needed.

In case that wasn't enough to give you goosebumps, The Talons are also beefed up with a regenerative serum that gives them the ability to heal wounds. Sounds pretty formidable to us.

The story of the Court of Owls is that the group has a bone to pick with both Bruce Wayne and Batman. The Court wants to keep control over Gotham, and to do so requires a certain level of corruption in the city's politics. Bruce Wayne, on the other hand, has made efforts to reform Gotham. Therefore, the Court sends a Talon assassin after him.

The Court has the same issue with the Batman: there isn't room in Gotham for more than one ultra-powerful mythological figure. The Court wants to be the Gotham boogeyman, and Batman is invading on its turf. To reassert itself, the Court goes after both Batman, his allies, and even the villains that the Bat often clashes with, all for the sake of keeping the status quo. The Owls rule Gotham. Not the Bat.

Rumor has it that the Court of Owls game started as a cancelled Batman Arkham game starring Damian Wayne, rather than Bruce. It's a pity that it didn't happen, but we do have some interesting concept art to remember it by. Maybe some of it will still apply to the new game?

There could be more than one game in the works behind closed doors at Warner Bros., too, if the rumor mill is to be believed. Could it be that the Damien Wayne-focused game is still in development alongside the Court of Owls? Maybe. 

We'll keep you posted on all things Batman Arkham: Court of Owls here.