If you already know me, then you already know I’m all about attempting to find Easter eggs. As such, DC’s newest online game, Gotham Knights, appears to be tailored for me. Each degree, each cutscene, and each nook you’ll be able to discover is stuffed with references to comedian guide storylines and the DC Universe at massive. From a reanimated model to a cheekily named regulation agency to a few of Gotham’s hottest bands, listed here are a number of the enjoyable belongings you’ll discover as you play Gotham Knights.
- Make sure to verify the character emails as you’re enjoying the sport, as a result of there’s loads to be discovered there. For instance, Lois Lane emails Dick Grayson a few new Blüdhaven vigilante named Nite-Wing, which is a reference to a storyline from the ’90s Nightwing collection. Roy Harper emails Jason, referencing the time they traveled collectively in Purple Hood and the Outlaws. I may spend a whole article speaking concerning the emails alone! Search for messages from different superheroes, deep-cut supporting characters and different bits of enjoyable.
- Talking of emails, there may be one message that seems to be the DC Universe model of the well-known Nigerian prince rip-off, besides Markovia is the nation in query. Markovia is a fictional European nation that’s dwelling to Geo-Pressure and his sister Terra. The nation was first seen in 1983’s Batman and the Outsiders #1.
- I noticed some images of Ace the Bat-Hound whereas exploring the kitchen within the Belfry. The Bat-Household’s loveable pet first appeared in 1955’s Batman #92 and lately co-starred within the animated movie DC League of Tremendous-Pets. He’s additionally a very good boy.
- Whilst you’re within the Belfry’s kitchen, check out the highest of the fridge. You’ll discover a field of cereal known as “Flakies” with references to the superhero Booster Gold. Flakies have been truly referenced in Booster Gold’s first look in 1985’s Booster Gold #1, and he might be seen filming a industrial for the breakfast within the following difficulty.
- The Belfry accommodates a Spy Hunter arcade cupboard, and you’ll even play it! Should you do, take a look at the excessive scores. CLA, HEL and DIN are listed. Does this imply Clark Kent, Helena Bertinelli and Dinah Lance have visited the Belfry and performed the sport?
- As you make your approach via the GCPD, hold a watch out for the villainous puppet Scarface. Batman’s picket enemy is often seen alongside his affiliate the Ventriloquist. The inanimate mobster first appeared in Detective Comics #583.
- Tim Drake’s desk has a photograph of him with Superboy. Within the comics, Robin and Superboy are greatest mates. Tim and Conner first met in Superboy/Robin: World’s Best Three and their bond grew throughout their time serving collectively in Younger Justice and the Teen Titans. An e mail from Conner to Tim additionally seems within the sport.
- Whereas visiting Gotham College, you’ll discover a science exhibit referencing Niles Caulder’s work in neuroscience. Should you’re a fan of the Doom Patrol, then you already know that’s in all probability not a very good factor. You’ll additionally see a reference to a mobile fusion analysis experiment from Erdid Orson and Gilbert Giles. Orson was a villainous scientist who first appeared in 2014’s Aquaman #28. Giles was a school professor who helped flip Hank Heywood into the superhero Metal. He was launched in 1978’s Metal #1.
- A poster promoting a Black Canary live performance might be seen within the higher ranges of the Belfry. The present is titled “Kicking and Screaming,” which can be the title of the commerce paperback amassing the primary arc of her 2015 collection. Dinah’s present is on the Monarch Theater, which was first named within the 1989 Batman movie. An e mail from Dinah to Babs additionally seems within the sport.
- Talking of musicians, posters all through the town promote a live performance by a band known as Brother Energy the Geek. It is a reference to an obscure Silver Age comedian known as Brother Energy the Geek which starred a model that got here to life.
- The Monarch Theater has posters promoting performances from the magician Zatara and the band Mucous Membrane. Zatara was a magic-based superhero who truly predates Batman. He first appeared in 1938’s Motion Comics #1, the identical comedian that launched Superman. Mucous Membrane is John Constantine’s band, which was first seen in 1988’s Hellblazer #11.
- Whereas in Kirk Langstrom’s lab, search for a poster of the Grey Ghost, a pulp hero Bruce Wayne idolized throughout his boyhood in Batman: The Animated Sequence. The character, voiced by Adam West, was launched within the episode “Beware the Grey Ghost.” As a bonus, a calendar subsequent to the poster has the date November 4th, 1992—the identical day the episode initially aired.
- Or possibly you’re hungry? You’ll additionally discover a Massive Stomach Burger restaurant. The fictional quick meals chain has been part of the DC Universe since Adventures of Superman #441 and has been closely referenced in The CW’s “Arrowverse.”
- Talking of the Arrowverse, whereas exploring Gotham, see if you happen to can spot Jitters, Central Metropolis’s iconic espresso store. (Apparently, they’ve franchised out to Gotham Metropolis as properly.) Jitters was first seen in 2010’s The Flash #1 and the espresso store is a key location on The Flash tv collection.
- Jacob Kane has fairly the weapons assortment! Kane has a katana from Tatsu Yamashiro, and weapons from Tallulah Black and Frank Rock. Tatsu is the superhero Katana, Tallulah Black is an affiliate of the western gunslinger Jonah Hex, and Frank Rock is the given title of DC conflict hero Sgt. Rock.
- Should you go to the Belfry’s higher ranges, you’ll spot a poster promoting a efficiency by the Flying Graysons. This was Dick Grayson’s household circus act earlier than his mother and father have been killed by Tony Zucco in 1940’s Detective Comics #38. The poster lists Robinson Park because the efficiency venue. Robinson Park was named after the Golden Age artist Jerry Robinson and was first talked about in Batman: 12 months One.
- Again out in Gotham Metropolis correct, search for an enormous billboard promoting Janus Fragrance. It’s in all probability not a good suggestion to make use of it. As detailed in Batman #386, Janus is owned by Roman Sionis (in any other case referred to as the Black Masks) and his cosmetics have been identified to disfigure individuals.
- As you discover the Iceberg Lounge, you may discover that Oswald has stored some trophies from different DC villains, together with some boomerangs from Captain Boomerang and the Clock King’s hat.
- Throughout a couple of factors within the sport, Tim will point out his relationship with Bernard Dowd. Tim and Bernard’s romantic relationship started in Batman: City Legends #6 and one other model of it’s at present enjoying out on HBO Max’s Titans.
- Should you wander round outdoors of Gotham Hospital, you’ll discover a plaque paying tribute to Neal Adams, a groundbreaking DC artist who handed away earlier this 12 months. Neal Adams drew a few of Batman’s most iconic Bronze Age adventures and co-created Ra’s al Ghul and Kirk Langstrom, two characters featured prominently within the sport.
- Equally, in Outdated Gotham you may come throughout a plaque memorializing George Pérez, who handed away earlier this 12 months. Pérez was a legendary artist and author who helped to form the present DC Universe as we all know it. Maybe most famously, he co-created the New Teen Titans together with Marv Wolfman. Perez and Wolfman have been additionally accountable for reworking Dick Grayson into Nightwing, so in a approach, this sport wouldn’t have been attainable with out him.
Truthfully, I’ve a sense I’m simply scratching the floor with these. Nearly each time I’ve explored the open world inside Gotham Knights, I’ve discovered one thing cool that I hadn’t seen earlier than. I encourage you to do your personal Easter egg looking as you play (or replay) the sport and tell us what you discover!
Gotham Knights is obtainable on PS5, Xbox Sequence X/S and PC. For all the most recent on Gotham’s new protectors, go to our official Gotham Knights sport web page.
Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, motion pictures and comics for DC.com, is an everyday contributor to the Sofa Membership and writes our month-to-month Batman column, “Gotham Gazette.” Comply with him on Twitter at @TBUJosh.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed on this column are solely these of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and don’t essentially mirror these of DC Leisure or Warner Bros.
