Opinion: Who Should Write The Next Batman Game?
When Paul Dini recently announced that he was not going to be writing any more installments for Rocksteady’s hugely successful Arkham franchise, to say that this came as a shock would be something of an understatement. After writing two of the best superhero games out there and earning praise from critics and fans alike, it would seem like a poor decision on Warner Brothers and Rocksteady’s part to get rid of him now.
However, all is not lost. There are still some great writers out there who could pick up the mantle and deliver a compelling and interesting story. Writers like…
Bruce Timm
This choice seems so obvious, that it almost doesn’t need to be said. As both a writing partner of Paul Dini’s and co-creator of the DC Animated Universe, there is arguably no-one better suited to fill the role. Out of all of my choices, he is also the most likely to be able to replicate Paul Dini’s style.
Timm has also had an uncredited role in both Arkham games as the writer of Harley Quinn’s section, so he definitely has experience working with the studio. He has also been involved in all of DC animated films as a producer, giving him more than enough experience with both the character of Batman and the Justice League.
Scott Snyder
The current writer of the main Batman comic book line and the main writer since the reboot in 2011, Snyder penned the Court of Owls storyline: focusing around a secret crime family that Bruce had not known about before, which dates back to the time of Gotham’s founding and the involvement of his ancestor Alan Wayne.
I said in my previous article that this storyline would be perfect for the next Arkham game, as it would have you exploring Gotham and playing on the more detective angle of Batman, as well as introducing the rest of the Bat-family. So if they were to bring in the Court of Owls as main antagonists, Snyder would be the only choice.
Geoff Johns
If the rumors of Rocksteady wanting to create a Justice League game are true, then they need someone with experience of these characters, and Geoff Johns would fit the bill. As the current writer of the Justice League comics and the lead writer of the DC Universe Online MMO, nobody can deny that he has substantial experience with them.
His Justice League run since the relaunch has so far included in-team fights and Superman villain Darksied. Hell, he even made Aquaman look cool. The New 52 also introduced a new backstory for the League, so if Rocksteady want to create an origin story for their version of the superhero ensemble, then John is the person to call.
Grant Morrison
Having penned Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, which Arkham Asylum itself was loosely based upon, Morrison is no stranger to the darker side of Batman. If Rocksteady want to keep the tone of the series intact in the next game, then going back to the main inspiration would be a good move.
However, Morrison has only two game credits to his name, both of which were poorly received, so he would be a risky choice unless he was teamed up with someone else.
David S. Goyer
After recently completing his work as co-writer of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, not to mention the upcoming Man of Steel film, Goyer certainly knows what makes for a good Batman adaptation. And when it comes to comics, Goyer has penned the 1999-2006 run of the Justice Society of America, focusing on the generational legacy and heroic example established by their predecessors. He is also no stranger to video games, as he wrote the script for both of the Call of Duty: Black Ops titles.
Seeing as Arkham Asylum wouldn’t have been made without the success of Nolan’s Batman films, working with Goyer would be a fantastic opportunity for Rocksteady to bring in someone who helped revitalize interest in the Bat to begin with.
Who do you think would be the best choice to write the next Batman game? And do you agree or disagree with Jacques’ selections? Join the debate in the comments section below.
