I think the “Lancelot Syndrome” thing is a reference to Batman: Year One. In Year one Gordon ends up having an affair with another detective named Sarah Essen, while still with his first wife Barbara. Loeb actually uses this infidelity against Gordon to get him on his side. (And if you didn’t know, Lancelot had an affair with queen Guinevere, wife of King Arthur in a lot of popular interpretations of the Myth)

If you read the visual guide Harvey Bullock opposed Batman and was a formerly corrupt cop but after Gordon took over he saw a hero in him and became his loyal partner and cleaned up his act completely. He also became a reluctant ally of Batman and played a pretty big role in getting Howard Branden fired from the PD.

I've always assumed that there was still a huge chunk of what WB Montreal wanted to do with Bane still left on the table after Origins. Talk to Alfred after the events of the end game about Bane, and it sounds like they were dangling the loose thread in front of players. Don't remember the exact conversation, but it amounted to, "What could you have possibly done to make him hate you this much?" and Batman replying, "I don't know, but I'm going to find out." Between that, Enigma's presumed transformation into Riddler, and Shiva being followed up at all, I've been hoping for a direct follow up to this game for years now. And I'll be honest with you: I'd rather have Origins 2 than either Gotham Knights or Suicide Squad.

Judge Harkness is actually the focus of Calendar Man’s Christmas monologue in City. He describes how Harkness had him deemed sane to send him to the gas chamber. He also describes how when he was set lose he killed a street Santa for his costume, used it to sneak into Harkness’s Christmas Eve party, and strangled him with Christmas lights. He then left Harkness in the Santa slay display on his own roof.

To explain Judge Harkness, Calendar Man has special dialogue on Christmas in Arkham City and he says after he broke out of prison he went to Harkness’s manor and hanged him from his roof with his Christmas lights as revenge for giving him the death penalty.

@ClownPuncher About the Bane stuff- This is probably the biggest misconception in the series. Bane in Origins loses his MEMORY from the TN-1 and the engagement he had with Batman. He did not lose his COGNITION permanently. In Asylum, he loses his intelligence because of TITAN, and in City, he still doesn’t have full cognition and thinking thanks to him still being on TITAN. In Knight, he weens off of it, and is able to conquer Santa Prisca and it’s area. We know that Bane is normally highly intelligent thanks to the Bio’s in both AA and AC, and from what we can glean in AK’s story, Bane is that way there too. We can also look at how TITAN affects its users to get some understanding of what it does to them, and from that, we can ascertain that it severely lowers intelligence and mental capacity of its user, or at the very least, will bring out more animalistic tendencies to supersede their more rational thinking. (Note, none of what I said is based on any of the comics, solely just what we see in game). Whether that makes or doesn’t make Origins’ Multiplayer canon or not, I do not know. It really doesn’t conflict or support what I said in the first place, because we don’t know if it’s canon or not.

One of the structural things I enjoyed about Origins was that Riddler (and to a large extent, Joker, Anarky and others) weren't motivated by cartoonist evils, but their own skewed view of how to improve Gotham. In later entries, Riddler is full of crazy contesting batman, and this is the origin of it, his "genius" plan to expose corruption through blackmail efforts. It was a really nice touch

The thing about bane being his normal self after origins in online is i guess just to even the teams out since a big hulking bane wouldn't be fair.

19:58 There is a DC character called Facade (regarding Brandon's Tapes) that was created by Paul Dini. His name is Erik Hanson and he is a Batman villain in the comics. From what I could find, the character seems to be a weapons expert and a thief who steals from the wealthy elite of Gotham.

I think the reason that less important characters like Alberto and Shiva have more tapes than Bane and Gordon is simply to give the smaller characters more backstory, since they barely get any in the main game.

8:20 Despite being both individually two of batman's greatest foes, there is actually a very limited connection between Ra's and Bane. Basically, in the comics, Bane was on the short list of potential successors for ra's, even going as far as to nearly have talias hand in marriage. But, eventually, he was dismissed and thrown out after a few encounters with the bat. Bane tried getting his revenge by destroying lazarus pits around the world, and thats about it honestly.

22:27 Well I don't know if you know this, but according to one of the stories in Arkham City, it shows why the two became bitter rivals. Starting with Joker going to the Iceberg lounge, but sprayed acid on a waitress who dropped water on him. Then another day, Penguin added a "No Clowns" policy, banning Joker. Some time later, probably when Arkham City was finished, Joker goes back to possibly heal the relationship, with Penguin still calling out the "No Clown" policy, and so, the rivalry started. Now it's been a while since I've read the full story, but it's what I remember. The Story is called "Holding Grudges"

Love this guy, love this game. Great to play on Christmas.

I love all the analysis you do on the big and small aspects of the series. My favorite in origins is probably the one with Shiva and sharp. Even though we don't see Shiva in the plot of asylum and city, she helped set it in motion. In reference to the bullock/Loeb file, I'm guessing it is them trying to hurt Gordon's principles and his private life by influencing him to have an affair, which is most likely with who becomes his second wife. And lastly, I find it cool that the judge mentions his holiday watch party for calander man's execution and in city, we hear calander man mention he went on to kill the judge at that party when he got out.

Just heard the bit on Bane and I have an idea. Maybe it does degrade over time, however not fully, and then when Arkham Asylum comes along, it's what Joker injects into Bane that causes him to go monster mode again, because until Joker cuts him loose and pumps him full of what I'm thinking is either TN-1, Titan or a mix of both, don't remember if he specifies, haven't played Asylum in a while, Bane doesn't interested in fighting Batman, and instead kinda asks for his help to be cut down.

City had the best tapes imo. Strange knows all the Villains Motivations... Two Faces Coin, Mad Hatters Fascination with Alice, Mr.Freezes Love For Nora etc. Knight had awesome tapes too. I love all the games tapes, those 2 are my favorites

This is my theory about the whole Bane in multiplayer situation. I believe the multiplayer itself is non-canon, however some elements of it could play into the main timeline. For example I could buy the idea that been would still have a gang for a few more years and he would war against the Joker’s gang. However, since The drug had taken been from a strategic genius to a man of average intelligence, The Joker’s crazy yet incredibly thought out strategies would eventually bring the end of Bane’s gang. This would also explain why joker still has a gang during the events of Asylum while pain seems to be running solo now of days. I also think sometime during this gang war, Dick Grayson would become Robin. So at least in my interpretation, elements of the multiplayer are canon but they didn’t quite play out the same as they did in that mode.

I never knew that AO online was considered canon to timelines, seems weird that something like that is canon

I really wish they made a sequel to this game. Perhaps one where Batman meets and takes on a young Dick Grayson

It always bothered me that none of the tapes or stories explain Bane's backstory and why he hates Batman so much.

I do really like how Origins does unique ideas with each of Arkham series staples, also I think Gordon’s is meant to show how little power he has over the rest of the GCPD, to where despite being someone to look up to, he has no power over those who are more corrupt than him.

I'm somewhat surprised that the extortion tapes for Gordon weren't in reference to an affair he had, which in the comics he was actually blackmailed with. Perhaps that plot point was abandoned just to have Gordon come off as overall more likable in the Arkhamverse.

To answer your question about bane being connected to the league of shadows, yes, he has always been connected, as in most of the comics, he was their top student, barely beating out Shiva, since he was physically stronger, and won a one on one, Talia was trained by all three top members of the league, bane and Ras taught her as official trainers, but Shiva grew up with her

The first audio from Loeb is a direct reference to the comic Batman: Year One. Black Mask is standing in for Falcone, and the reference that the approach of beating Gordon up has failed is a reference to Gordon’s partner, Arnold Flass, trying to beat up Gordon with a baseball bat. Gordon then returns the favour barehanded and Flass decides to leave Gordon alone.

I never had a lot ot patiente to check out all that kind of extra content or files in the Batman games, I only did in the Arkham Knight. So it's so cool to know all the lore and information they delviered in this one, thanks for making this video and sharing with us!

In regards to the Joker tape. I think it is possible that there was too Black Masks at the same time since Sionis was aware of Joker's presence.

To be fair clownpuncher, Alberto having no big role in Origins doesnt mean he should not get the audio tapes. His father, Carmine Falcone, a part of Gotham which was why Cobblepot(or Penguin) captured Alberto to negotiate with Carmine.

I feel like having normal bane in online was an effort to not spoil the final boss fight of the main game

To be honest I thought Warden Joseph was a good warden and plus he didn't really seem evil,

Batman would prob slowly release the files at perfect times as to not start a too big of a panic

Now this is what we’ve been waiting for

Well the reason why Gordon probably has only one tape could simple be that their really nothing else that could reliable used against him and honestly I think his one tape is more focused on putting Barbara in compromised position then Gordon would be smart strategy since he be focused on protecting her then helping gothem which would be ideal result

Love this channel so much🤞🏽 A true hidden gem

I adore these videos. Keep up the great work, it’s definitely appreciated.

I genuinely love the anarchy missions. Hes one of the best written villains in the series. His goals are evil but he has no idea what else to do. All hes seen is force and oppression so he inadvertently follows the example of those he hates. He doesn’t realize reformation is stronger than revolution. Edit: also do people consider him a good guy?

Amazing video sir. I’d love to see you do something like this for the other games tapes especially Knight.

Underrated channel 🔥🔥

I recently found this out through Alex Lennon’s Entire History of Batman video but on Banes connections with the League at one point in the comics Ra’s considered and was going to use Bane as a replacement stepson when Batman refused to have children with Talia for Ra’s and Bane agreed and acted in Ra’s orders in that comic so yeah, in the comics Bane did have some connection to the League.

Origins _looks so good,_ the dialogue, sound design, gameplay are all great ; it's baffling that this is the same studio (maybe not the same staff, though?) that developed Gotham Knights. We should've gotten a Court of Owls and League of Assassins -focused sequel to Origins instead. But that won't happen now, even if a return to the 'Arkham' franchise would be the safest option for WB's next Batman game. (And of course, even before Kevin Conroy perished, a Roger Craig Smith -led game following Arkham Origins would be the obvious way back in.) I also wanted a Gotham by Gaslight game revival, but after the Gotham Knights flop they're unlikely to look to gambling on such a radical departure to conventional Batman again.

Ah, been waiting for this one! Hope it’s great! Edit: It was more than great

Love the videos, keep up the great work.

The legend has returned!

Damn, didn't realize the tapes had that much lore.Cool video as always!

I never felt like the Cop was lying to the Hobo in the third Anarky tape. Cause, he does have a bit of a point. Anarky's crusade has good ideas, but what will happen if he wins and blows up the buildings? He'll have the Feds coming in and either killing or arresting every poor guy who bought into what Anarky was saying. Anarky seems to think that his actions in Gotham are isolated, and that there won't be a large reprisal from the outside world

I love your videos keep up the great work

I’m pretty sure the Origins multiplayer takes place before or during the events of origins also with shivas Second Tape I wanted to take this time to vent on how upset I am with how Quincy Ulysses Sharp was handled in the series in Asylum he had an entire side story devoted for to him where he believes the spirt of Amadeus has taken over his mind and is influencing his decisions by the end he asks Batman to meet with him so they can clean up the city but it never happens you had this great premise and it’s wasted despite being important to the events of city happening in the game itself he plays no role of importance at all and is just there to be saved by Batman what happened to the two of them cleaning up the city? What happened to the spirt of Arkham taking control of his mind? It’s all dropped and by Arkham knight he’s taken his own life what a waste of New intriguing character

Lets goooooo dude

Can’t wait to see the other Arkham file videos. Also yesterday when I decided to play Arkham city again. I had a glitched save wear every time I try to go to park row from amusement mile Batman is froze in place and if I’m gliding he sinks into the water and below the map. So I’m gonna have to make a new save. Good thing it was pretty Early game.

Can you do some more lore videos like this including ones analyzing the City tapes & Knight tapes

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that the party Joseph is invited to is a reference to a party Harkness is at in Batman Year One. The party is hosted by Falcone in that story, and it's a given that everyone there is corrupt, since they talk about their plans openly. The party's then crashed by Batman, who gives one of his all time best monologues: "Ladies and gentlemen, you've eaten well. You've feasted on Gotham's wealth, it's spirit. But the feast is nearly over. None of you are safe." I think it's safe to say that if Joker hadn't thrown a spanner in the works, Joseph would have received a visit from Batman at some point.

@clownpuncher139 When I listened to the Shiva talks to bane file I always assumed the master shiva was referring to was master kirgi from the initiation DLC since she is in that dlc as a boss fight but thanks for clearing that up for me bro and keep on making amazing cool and mysterious content 😎😎

This channel blew up so fast

HEY this is ClownPuncher's 100th video! Congratulations for making it this far!

I heard a rumor that the tv show gotham got the idea for their version of the riddler from this exact game

See, this is another point, a lot of people miss these things, all audio tapes are good to listen to, I too have listened to them.

That intro always brings a smile to my face

Wouldn’t be surprised if TN-1 was meant to be a precursor to the Titan formula.

Clownpuncher is back...the crowd is stunned....

just found you was a good vid keep it up

It is the real Black Mask in the Alberto and Loeb audio tapes. Because It's Brian Bloom you hear in those, he's the voice the real Black Mask. The Joker impersonating him is Troy Baker and hes only heard in the Joker audio tape.

Also there are articles(or City Stories) in Arkham City and Arkham Knight which tell a specific story whether it was on a specific character or on a specific place

I would say that beyond wanting to keep character continuity, you could argue that later use if venom, and or particularly draining the venom to make titan/the titan in bane reacted to the permanent changes to bane and caused him to change more over the years, though I would note that bane really isn't shown to be that dumb in later entries either, he is perfectly capable of trying to work with batman to get the leftover titan formula post asylum, and in asylum he is only in it for like 5 min and has been getting sucked dry, he's not exactly in a good headspace at the moment, while in city he does get beat in a really dumb way, that's more of a way to implement him without making a boss fight for him, i have no doubt they'd have loved to have included a real fight

I don't think the TN-1 effects are permanent on Bane. When he's seen briefly in Arkham Origins Blackgate he's frail and weak. The same frail and weak he's seen as in Arkham Asylum before Joker injects him with Titan. The Titan I believe is what makes him more of a mindless beast in that game, and then why he's more sensible in Arkham City. Personally, I don't think Bane perfected TN-1 back in Arkham Origins, thus it's positive effects weren't permanent, but the negative ones still affected him. By the time of Arkham Blackgate he's still recovering, but he's back in shape by Multiplayer. Whatever experiments Doctor Young performed on him years later left him weak, and the unperfected Titan turned him into the pure brute. It's psychological effects wore off and his mind cleared, but the physical ones remained. However now he was addicted, and it was his new addiction to Titan in Arkham City that led to the brash decisions and easy capture by Batman. After Arkham City, he leaves Gotham to rid himself of the Titan addiction. Don't know if that explanation completely lines with the Arkham City comics though. But those are just my thoughts

Could you do a video on the evaluation of the batsuit over the arkham story ?

13:10 that actually isn’t 100% true. We can tell quite handily from Anarky’s general conduct and especially from the files attached to the symbols around the city that Anarky has a colossal ego, one he feeds by placing himself as a Messiah to save Gotham from the corruption infesting it. Anarky isn’t just some well-intentioned extremist, he uses corruption as an excuse to indulge his own delusions of grandeur and lash out. We can see this especially in the call with Gordon. He speaks like he’s a god or ruler-to-be about to dish out judgement upon Gotham for their crimes. It isn’t just some optimistic vision for the world if he gets his way, it’s also about power. Anarky goes on and on about overlords and kings, but he actually tends to conduct himself in a similar manner to a ruler, contrary to his name. The point of Anarky’s side mission isn’t just raw social commentary you’re meant to 100% agree with or nod your head to, it’s a showcase of how even the best intentions can be undermined by ego and, above all else, a desire for power. Often, what the oppressed can end up wanting isn’t an end to the oppression. It’s to be the oppressor, and I think that’s what everyone misses about Anarky and makes him quite similar to Nygma in the same game, who we show pretty much no sympathy for.

5:08 I had no idea he was voiced by Raiden

I don’t know if you realized this but in Arkham city calendar man says that he killed judge harkness at his Christmas party after escaping blackgate which is his tape leads to which is interesting

Just a random thought. But the dark night suit in origins reminds me of the Batman begins suit from the GameCube game. I was replaying Batman begins and I thought both suits look similar. If I ever get a ps4 I would definitely do a playthough with origins skin and Nolan batmobile. Idk?🤷🏻

Origins is my favorite

I like that somebody finally reviews my favorite game in the series of city your favorite I’m sorry but you a shee-

Are you explaining the tapes in the other games?

If you can recall a moment in Arkham Origins we actually go find a body of one of Bane henchmen in which it suppose that he took the tn1 chemical that actually degraded completely this would imply that the chemical is not permitted in the way that they imply. And that it is most likely that the body will revert back to its original state physically but considering the fact that they'd actually takes more Venom anyways he most likely got more powerful in his body adapted to the Tian OnePlus the Venom combining into a combination that makes it to where veins body is permanently big and bulky you can only revert with all of it taken out of his body that is my take

Joker could've been impersonating Black Mask and then took him captive afterwards (probably due to Sionis figuring it out)

God the theme for origins is fucking amazing.

I don’t think Bane was actually stupid in asylum I think for the short time we see him he is just blinded by rage

I’ve just discovered there are 8 more audio logs about Cyrus Pinkney

9:37 That's some nice evidence you got there... be a shame if someone stole it.

Destroying small businesses is quite simple. Whenever people riot be it something like say the death of Dr King to small time incidents where criminals die because they didn't obey police officers it's because of the troublemakers. These being people among the more law-abiding ones who look for any excuse to riot regardless of whether it's smart or not. This could be said for Anarky's followers in Cold Cold Heart.

11:48 wasn’t Joker the one plating those bombs?

Can you do Arkham City without getting damaged?

I'm sorry, but you had to GUESS whether or not Black Mask on some of tapes was Roman or Joker? Are you not tipped off by the fact that Joker's Black Mask voice is completely different from the real Black Mask voice? I mean, they literally used different voice actors to differentiate the two more clearly. The fact nobody is able to tell there's a fake Black Mask is presumably because the real Black Mask is a mob boss who communicates through his men, and so 95% of people likely aren't all that family with what Roman sounds like.

Please make slay sum for origins

it only took me like 10 minutes to beat the swat room

Mr Puncher, do you have a twitch

Cool

I googled it lancelot syndrome means only attracted to girls with boyfriends

I don’t think Arkham origins online is cannon, just a multi player mode for the game.

👍

Have you read any comics? (That have to do with batman)

20:26 bro i beat them on myself, its easier then you think

Video idea: Challenge for any of the Arkham games. I call it “The Batman Doesn’t Kill Challenge” try to go through an Arkham game while trying to kill every foe you come across. I don’t mean if they show up as deceased in game I mean using real world physics and that type of thing. Examples: Hitting a thug off a building, hanging someone upside down for a long enough time, electrocution, ETC I think this would be really fun and unique challenge and would be a joy to watch.

Second

First, let's go

Jesus Christ loves you