At long last, the primary villain for Batman: Arkham Origins has been revealed, and it is Black Mask!
I know, you’re probably thinking, who? And you’re right to think that. In terms of Batman’s rogues gallery, Black Mask far from the most prevalent or famous. Personally I was hoping for Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Shadows making more of a primary role, but this works too. It’s a good, if unusual choice. Black Mask is a sadistic killer named Roman Sionis. His likes include dismemberment, torture, disfigurement and leading the largest organized crime group in Gotham. Not a friendly fellow. In Origins, he’s at the top of the crime food chain and has his sights sent on Bat Souffle.
“It’s basically Batman’s worst nightmare. We have eight of the best assassins in the world who’ve come together to Gotham City for one night, Christmas Eve of all nights, to kill the Bat.” – Narrative Director Dooma Wendschuh
It’s not a bad choice. Most of the main villains, Joker, Riddler, Clayface, Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Bane, Talia, Ra’s, Killer Croc, Two Face, Zsasz, Hush were used in the previous games. They’d been done. Was time to bring in someone new to terrorize The Bat. As a relatively minor character, it allows the production team to give him their own spin. The premise does sound awesome. Eight master assassins on Christmas Eve? Sounds like fun, sign me up.
For more history on Black Mask, you can check out Game Informer. Stay tuned for further coverage of Batman: Arkham Origins.