WB Games Montreal says it chose to have Gotham Knights begin with a dead Batman in order to take away "any certainty, any feeling of safety" in its world. Speaking at DC FanDome during the Legacy of the Bat panel, creative director Patrick Redding explained that Gotham Knights' Batman has been fighting crime for around 15 years, before being killed in still-unexplained circumstances. "We wanted to take away any certainty, any feeling of safety," Redding explained. "So we could take a Gotham City where Bruce Wayne has been operating as Batman for, like, 15 years - with all that history, his whole network of allies - and then take him out of the picture. It really demands players figure out, 'How would I step up, and how would I protect Gotham City?'" That lack of certainty could perhaps signal a game that's more willing to see other major characters killed off during its runtime. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/22/batman-gotham-knights-announcement-trailer"] The game's trailer opens by suggesting a disaster has hit Gotham, with Bruce Wayne apparently found dead in the rubble. A message sent to his proteges upon his death tells them that the Batcave has been destroyed, but the Belfry will act as their new base of operations. Red Hood, Robin, Batgirl and Nightwing then become the Gotham Knights. It's worth pointing out that, while Batman may be messaged as dead at the start of the game, that's not necessarily going to remain the case. There are a few options here - Rocksteady's Arkham Knight ended with Bruce Wayne faking his own death, for instance. WB Games Montreal has chosen an entirely different timeline for Gotham Knights but, even without that story point to lean on, the Court of Owls (who will be an enemy faction) have been involved in resurrection in their comic book appearances previously. And who knows, with five massive boroughs to explore, perhaps Ra's al Ghul's Lazarus Pit could sit just waiting to be used somewhere in the dark underbelly of Gotham. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=gotham-knights-trailer-gallery&captions=true"] After years of teases, Gotham Knights was today announced for a 2021 release on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One and PC. It will feature an option for two-player online co-op, and a 7 minute gameplay trailer showed off open-world exploration, combat, and a boss battle with Mr. Freeze. Check out the full DC Fandome schedule to stay up-to-date on all the latest reveals, how to watch live, panel times and more. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

WB Games Montreal says it chose to have Gotham Knights begin with a dead Batman in order to take away "any certainty, any feeling of safety" in its world. Speaking at DC FanDome during the Legacy of the Bat panel, creative director Patrick Redding explained that Gotham Knights' Batman has been fighting crime for around 15 years, before being killed in still-unexplained circumstances. "We wanted to take away any certainty, any feeling of safety," Redding explained. "So we could take a Gotham City where Bruce Wayne has been operating as Batman for, like, 15 years - with all that history, his whole network of allies - and then take him out of the picture. It really demands players figure out, 'How would I step up, and how would I protect Gotham City?'" That lack of certainty could perhaps signal a game that's more willing to see other major characters killed off during its runtime. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/22/batman-gotham-knights-announcement-trailer"] The game's trailer opens by suggesting a disaster has hit Gotham, with Bruce Wayne apparently found dead in the rubble. A message sent to his proteges upon his death tells them that the Batcave has been destroyed, but the Belfry will act as their new base of operations. Red Hood, Robin, Batgirl and Nightwing then become the Gotham Knights. It's worth pointing out that, while Batman may be messaged as dead at the start of the game, that's not necessarily going to remain the case. There are a few options here - Rocksteady's Arkham Knight ended with Bruce Wayne faking his own death, for instance. WB Games Montreal has chosen an entirely different timeline for Gotham Knights but, even without that story point to lean on, the Court of Owls (who will be an enemy faction) have been involved in resurrection in their comic book appearances previously. And who knows, with five massive boroughs to explore, perhaps Ra's al Ghul's Lazarus Pit could sit just waiting to be used somewhere in the dark underbelly of Gotham. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=gotham-knights-trailer-gallery&captions=true"] After years of teases, Gotham Knights was today announced for a 2021 release on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One and PC. It will feature an option for two-player online co-op, and a 7 minute gameplay trailer showed off open-world exploration, combat, and a boss battle with Mr. Freeze. Check out the full DC Fandome schedule to stay up-to-date on all the latest reveals, how to watch live, panel times and more. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.

DC has an ambitious new Batman comic in the works for 2021, one that will apparently feature a hero of color taking up the mantle of the Dark Knight. As revealed at the "Legacy of the Bat" panel at DC FanDome, 12 Years a Slave screenwriter John Ridley is teaming up with Doom Patrol artist Nick Derington for a new four-issue limited series (title TBA). Check out a cover from artist Ladronn below: [caption id="attachment_2396876" align="aligncenter" width="1650"] Art by Ladronn. (Image Credit: DC)[/caption] DC is keeping the identity of this new Batman a secret, with Ridley teasing during the panel, "I think it's a pretty safe bet that if I'm writing Batman, it’s probably a little better than a 47% chance he’s going to be a person of color." However, we do know this new Batman will be connected to the family of Lucius Fox, which could suggest it's Lucius' son Luke wearing the costume. Luke previously served as the armored hero Batwing, so he certainly has the right pedigree. "[Lucius] has a family and this is a family that has secrets, has kept secrets from one another,” said Ridley. “It’s a little bit different dynamic than the Batman that we've always seen.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-greatest-batman-graphic-novels-of-all-time&captions=true"] To be clear, this new Batman won't be replacing Bruce Wayne. DC confirms the two versions will coexist, and James Tynion IV will continue to write the flagship Batman comic. At this point it's unclear whether Ridley and Derington's book is set in the traditional DCU or an alternate universe or timeline. The cover art suggests a possible futuristic setting. Ridley is no stranger to the DC Universe at this point, having previously written books like The Authority: Human on the Inside and a short tale in the upcoming Batman: The Joker War Zone special. Ridley is also the author of The Other History of the DC Universe, an upcoming Black Label series that reexamines DC lore from the perspectives of minority heroes like Black Lightning, Herald and Renee Montoya. DC promises more details will be revealed at the second FanDome event on September 12, as part of the Batman: The Joker War panel. For now, check out our exclusive inside look at The Joker War and learn why Joker is finally ready to end his long dance with Batman. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/22/7-minutes-of-batman-gotham-knights-gameplay"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

DC has an ambitious new Batman comic in the works for 2021, one that will apparently feature a hero of color taking up the mantle of the Dark Knight. As revealed at the "Legacy of the Bat" panel at DC FanDome, 12 Years a Slave screenwriter John Ridley is teaming up with Doom Patrol artist Nick Derington for a new four-issue limited series (title TBA). Check out a cover from artist Ladronn below: [caption id="attachment_2396876" align="aligncenter" width="1650"] Art by Ladronn. (Image Credit: DC)[/caption] DC is keeping the identity of this new Batman a secret, with Ridley teasing during the panel, "I think it's a pretty safe bet that if I'm writing Batman, it’s probably a little better than a 47% chance he’s going to be a person of color." However, we do know this new Batman will be connected to the family of Lucius Fox, which could suggest it's Lucius' son Luke wearing the costume. Luke previously served as the armored hero Batwing, so he certainly has the right pedigree. "[Lucius] has a family and this is a family that has secrets, has kept secrets from one another,” said Ridley. “It’s a little bit different dynamic than the Batman that we've always seen.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-25-greatest-batman-graphic-novels-of-all-time&captions=true"] To be clear, this new Batman won't be replacing Bruce Wayne. DC confirms the two versions will coexist, and James Tynion IV will continue to write the flagship Batman comic. At this point it's unclear whether Ridley and Derington's book is set in the traditional DCU or an alternate universe or timeline. The cover art suggests a possible futuristic setting. Ridley is no stranger to the DC Universe at this point, having previously written books like The Authority: Human on the Inside and a short tale in the upcoming Batman: The Joker War Zone special. Ridley is also the author of The Other History of the DC Universe, an upcoming Black Label series that reexamines DC lore from the perspectives of minority heroes like Black Lightning, Herald and Renee Montoya. DC promises more details will be revealed at the second FanDome event on September 12, as part of the Batman: The Joker War panel. For now, check out our exclusive inside look at The Joker War and learn why Joker is finally ready to end his long dance with Batman. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/22/7-minutes-of-batman-gotham-knights-gameplay"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter.

James Gunn revealed the first behind-the-scenes footage for his upcoming Suicide Squad movie, which is being described as a "gritty 1970s war movie" according to producer Peter Safran. In an exclusive behind-the-scenes featurette that premiered at DC FanDome, Gunn and the cast shared what the tone and style of Suicide Squad will be. Idris Elba, who plays Bloodsport, described it as a graphic novel come to life, while Flula Borg, who plays Javelin, says there will be exploding genitals, among other things. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/22/the-suicide-squad-behind-the-scenes-teaser-dc-fandome"] John Cena aka Peacemaker, will play his character as a "douchey Captain America," which feels like a good summation of the irreverent tone James Gunn is bringing to Suicide Squad. The humor present in the behind-the-scenes seems to indicate that Gunn will be keeping his comedic sensibilities and action showmanship he honed on Guardians of the Galaxy. "It's going to be different from any superhero movie ever made," Gunn says in the featurette. The behind-the-scenes footage also showed off some of the visual effects work, including a look at Sean Gunn's Weasel, who looks as gross and gnarly as his character's name implies. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-suicide-squad-2021-74-new-images&captions=true"] Other insight from the trailer includes a better shot of Margot Robbie's new Harley Quinn look, shots of Polka Dot and Ratcatcher 2, as well as shots primarily from some kind of beachside location. James Gunn revealed the full roster of his Suicide Squad team at Fandome so check out which actor's are playing who. Be sure to also take a look at the full DC FanDome schedule. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-suicide-squad-whos-who-full-cast-and-character-reveals&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

James Gunn revealed the first behind-the-scenes footage for his upcoming Suicide Squad movie, which is being described as a "gritty 1970s war movie" according to producer Peter Safran. In an exclusive behind-the-scenes featurette that premiered at DC FanDome, Gunn and the cast shared what the tone and style of Suicide Squad will be. Idris Elba, who plays Bloodsport, described it as a graphic novel come to life, while Flula Borg, who plays Javelin, says there will be exploding genitals, among other things. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/22/the-suicide-squad-behind-the-scenes-teaser-dc-fandome"] John Cena aka Peacemaker, will play his character as a "douchey Captain America," which feels like a good summation of the irreverent tone James Gunn is bringing to Suicide Squad. The humor present in the behind-the-scenes seems to indicate that Gunn will be keeping his comedic sensibilities and action showmanship he honed on Guardians of the Galaxy. "It's going to be different from any superhero movie ever made," Gunn says in the featurette. The behind-the-scenes footage also showed off some of the visual effects work, including a look at Sean Gunn's Weasel, who looks as gross and gnarly as his character's name implies. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-suicide-squad-2021-74-new-images&captions=true"] Other insight from the trailer includes a better shot of Margot Robbie's new Harley Quinn look, shots of Polka Dot and Ratcatcher 2, as well as shots primarily from some kind of beachside location. James Gunn revealed the full roster of his Suicide Squad team at Fandome so check out which actor's are playing who. Be sure to also take a look at the full DC FanDome schedule. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-suicide-squad-whos-who-full-cast-and-character-reveals&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt T.M. Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Concept art of The Flash's new suit has been revealed in concept art as part of DC FanDome, and it's a very different look compared to the suit used for Justice League. The look at the new costume was one of the biggest reveals at DC FanDome. The Flash's new threads have an "organic" look, according to director Andy Muschietti, and features what appear to be inlaid light elements. Rather than bulky armor panels like the version used for Justice League, this suit is much more form-fitting, more akin to the version worn by Grant Gustin's Barry Allen in The Flash TV show. The panel at DC FanDome also explained that Batman has designed the costume for Barry Allen. The Dark Knight himself can even be seen in the concept art. Look closely, though, and it actually appears that it is Michael Keaton's version of Batman, from the Tim Burton movies. The panel explained that The Flash movie will be the place that the 'cinematic multiverse' will be born. Ezra Miller explained that where characters had previously existed in bubbles, now they would be able to collide. He referred to the Flashpoint comic in regards to the idea. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-flash-movies-possible-dceu-cameos&captions=true"] We know that Ben Affleck is in The Flash playing Bruce Wayne once again, and it's been rumored for several weeks that Michael Keaton will also be in the film as... Batman. So that discussion of a cinematic multiverse could well kick off with at least two Batmen in The Flash. For more, check out how DC now considers both movies and TV shows as part of a multiverse. And if you need to see any more from today's panels, see how to watch DC FanDome. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Concept art of The Flash's new costume has been revealed as part of DC Fandome, and it's a very different look compared to the suit used for Justice League. The Flash's new threads have an "organic" look, according to director Andy Muschietti, and features what appear to be inlaid light elements. Rather than bulky armour panels like the version used for Justice League, this suit is much more form-fitting, more akin to the version worn by Grant Gustin's Barry Allen in The Flash TV show. The panel at DC Fandome also explained that Batman has designed the costume for Barry Allen. The Dark Knight himself can even be seen in the concept art. Look closely, though, and it actually appears that it is Michael Keaton's version of Batman, from the Tim Burton movies. The panel explained that The Flash movie will be the place that the 'cinematic multiverse' will be born. Ezra Miller explained that where characters had previously existed in bubbles, now they would be able to collide. He referred to the Flashpoint comic in regards to the idea. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-flash-movies-possible-dceu-cameos&captions=true"] We know that Ben Affleck is in The Flash playing Bruce Wayne once again, and it's been rumored for several weeks that Michael Keaton will also be in the film as... Batman. So that discussion of a cinematic multiverse could well kick off with at least two Batmen in The Flash. For more, check out how DC now considers both movies and TV shows as part of a multiverse. And if you need to see anymore from today's panels, see how to watch DC Fandome. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. 

Director James Gunn has revealed a new trailer for The Suicide Squad, giving our best look yet at many of the oddball DC Comics characters (and the actors playing them) that are on the team’s roster in this follow-up to the 2016 film. We also got to see some of them use their powers in the new preview, like David Dastmalchian's Polka-Dot Man throwing his, well, polka dots at his enemies. The trailer also offers up new footage of Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), Bloodsport (Idris Elba), TDK (Nathan Fillion), Peacemaker (John Cena), Blackguard (Pete Davidson), and more. Interestingly, we're still not clear on who Taika Waititi is playing in The Suicide Squad (but we have a few theories). [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/the-suicide-squad-official-trailer-2"] For every badass new character in the mix, there are the wacky inclusions, D-listers who are likely to serve as darkly humorous cannon fodder in an action film where the protagonists are, by their very nature, expendable. Check out the full breakdown of The Suicide Squad cast below:

The Suicide Squad Cast - From Blackguard to Polka Dot Man and Beyond

• Idris Elba - Bloodsport
• Margot Robbie - Harley Quinn
• John Cena - Peacemaker
• Viola Davis - Amanda Waller
• Jai Courtney - Captain Boomerang
• Joel Kinnaman - Rick Flag
• David Dastmalchian - Polka-Dot Man
• Daniela Melchior - Ratcatcher II
• Sylvester Stallone (voice)/Steve Agee (mo-cap) - King Shark (mo-cap)
• Steve Agee - John Economos
• Sean Gunn - Weasel (mo-cap)
• Flula Borg - Javelin
• Nathan Fillion - TDK
• Peter Capaldi - The Thinker
• Pete Davidson - Blackguard
• Alice Braga - Solsoria
• Mayling Ng - Mongal
• Michael Rooker - Savant
• Storm Reid - Tyla (Bloodsport's daughter)
• Jennifer Holland - Emilia Harcourt
• Joaquin Cosio - General Mateo Suarez
• Tinashe Kajese - Flo Crawley
• Juan Diego Botto - Luna

[widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-suicide-squad-whos-who-full-cast-and-character-reveals&captions=true"] Back in August, the DC FanDome panel for The Suicide Squad revealed that Bloodsport is in prison for shooting Superman with a kryptonite bullet, In the DC Comics, Bloodsport is a Superman foe and has been a few different people throughout the character's history. The character first appeared in Superman #2 in 1987 and was created by John Byrne and Karl Kesel. Elba’s costume certainly looks different from Bloodsport's comic book outfit. How about that mask! That menacing maw almost makes it look like a Xenomorph’s face. Playing Tyla, the daughter of Elba’s character Bloodsport, is Storm Reid, whose credits include A Wrinkle in Time, The Invisible Man, and HBO’s Euphoria. 2016’s Suicide Squad developed a relationship between Deadshot and his young daughter Zoe Lawton; seeing as how Elba is the Will Smith surrogate in this film then it’s possible Gunn transferred whatever relationship the sequel was originally meant to explore between the Lawtons to these characters and changed their names since Gunn chose not to recast Will Smith’s role. Next up is John Cena who plays Peacemaker, an extremist who wants to achieve peace so badly he will kill any man, woman or child to attain it. Cena’s costume certainly looks very close to his comic book counterpart, right down to the dopey steel helmet. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-suicide-squad-theatrical-trailer&captions=true"] Ant-Man’s David Dastmalchian plays Polka-Dot Man, aka Abner Krill. Polka-Dot Man is an obscure Batman foe whose outfit is composed of weaponized dots (seriously). Meanwhile, SNL and The King of Staten Island’s Pete Davidson portrays Blackguard. Blackguard was an enemy of Booster Gold's whose real name was, yes, Dick Hertz. In a pair of roles accomplished via motion-capture, Steve Agee plays the towering King Shark, while director James Gunn’s brother, Sean Gunn, plays the human-sized vermin known as Weasel. You may recall that Sean Gunn also plays the mo-cap reference for Rocket Raccoon in the Marvel movies. Sylvester Stallone is voicing King Shark. Another Guardians of the Galaxy alum, Michael Rooker, plays Savant, a lesser Bat-villain who later became a member of The Suicide Squad during The New 52. Steve Agee also plays a separate role, a DC Comics character named John Economos, according to a tweet from James Gunn. Gunn has also revealed that Tinashe Kajese plays Flo Crawley, another DC Comics character. The New Mutants’ Alice Braga plays Solsoria, who appears to be an original character in the film and a soldier of some kind. Mayling Ng plays Mongal, who in the DC Comics is the daughter of an alien tyrant … so she’s Gamora? We’ll see if Mongal ends up as integral to The Suicide Squad as Gamora did to the Guardians. Firefly’s Nathan Fillion reunites with James Gunn here after previously appearing in Guardians of the Galaxy, Slither, and Super. Fillion plays TDK, an original creation of Gunn’s. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2021/03/26/the-suicide-squad-official-trailer] Daniela Melchior plays Ratcatcher 2. While not the same Ratcatcher who tangled with Batman in the sewers of Gotham, her incarnation has a similar Pied Piper-like ability to communicate with and train armies of rats. Former Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi plays The Thinker. There have been a few different incarnations of the character throughout DC history, where he’s battled the Flash and Firestorm, and served as a member of the Injustice Society. German actor-comedian Flula Borg portrays the gaudily attired Javelin, whose dopey outfit sure seems to paint quite the target on him. Javelin is a Green Lantern villain who has also been a member of the Suicide Squad in the comics. Jennifer Holland plays Emilia Harcourt, who in the comics was an NSA agent who worked with Amanda Waller. Joaquin Cosio plays General Mateo Suarez. Finally, Juan Diego Botto plays Luna, who appears to be a general or ruler of some kind. So what do you think of the lineup for The Suicide Squad? And who do you think will be the first one of them to buy it in the movie? Let us know in the comments! [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-suicide-squad-2021-74-new-images&captions=true"] And for more Suicide Squad coverage, find out what the title of Rocksteady’s Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League could really mean, check out the logo for James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, learn what the 2016 film’s director, David Ayer, said about that Joker/Fake Harley Quinn theory, and watch Jared Leto’s transformation into Joker. Editors note (4/1/21): This story has been updated with the latest information about The Suicide Squad.

DC considers the crossover of Ezra Miller's Flash with the Flash CW show as "the beginning of a whole new generation" for crossovers between its movies and TV shows, and now considers all of its filmed properties to be part of a multiverse. Speaking during the Multiverse 101 panel at DC FanDome, Arrowverse boss Greg Berlanti explained that the Flash crossover "feels like the beginning of a whole new generation of how we can do these things." Warner Bros.' DC film exec Walter Hamada added that, "Moving forward, there's more opportunities for us to do things like this." Hamada then ran through how the Justice League in the Snyder Cut can have their adventures, while those same characters can exist in other TV shows and movies without having to worry about continuity. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-character-in-the-arrowverses-crisis-on-infinite-earths-crossover&captions=true"] Hamada even made clear that Joaquin Phoenix's Joker and Matt Reeves' The Batman are part of the DC multiverse - even if those versions of the characters will never necessarily cross over with other properties. Responding to a query about if the multiverse was gone after the events of the CW's Crisis on Infinite Earths specials, Berlanti made clear that, "It’s not gone". "That was to help us," he continued, "sort of like the original reason for Crisis [in the comics]… for the purpose of The CW those worlds are now one, but off-network is like being off-planet in a different part of the multiverse, it’s still alive and well." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/18/crisis-on-infinite-earths-crossover-review"] There's lots more to come from DC FanDome - here's how to watch along with us. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.