WB Games hasn’t revealed much about its upcoming Gotham Knights project, but the Court of Owls is confirmed to be a major villain, so who are they? Batman’s intimidating legacy invited many supervillains to stand against him, but the Court of Owls is a unique opponent that existed long before Batman arrived. The comics have adjusted this enemy many times, and film and television adaptations have independent interpretations of the Court of Owls and their Talons, but the society’s concept remains identical. It’s unknown how influential the Court of Owls is in Gotham Knights, but invitations sent out by the Court suggest they had a vested interest in Bruce Wayne's death.
Gotham Knights takes place after Batman’s tragic death, with Nightwing, Red Hood, Batgirl, and Robin taking the role as Gotham’s protectors in his wake. The exact circumstances surrounding Batman’s (and Bruce Wayne’s) deaths are unknown, but WB Games has implied the Court may have had something to do with his murder. Gotham’s new protectors have massive shoes to fill, with Batman’s death allowing many Gotham Rogues to make significant power plays. Villains like Mister Freeze and the Court's Talon wreak havoc across Gotham City, forcing the heroes to adapt new strategies to secure their home. Many details concerning Gotham Knights' story and gameplay are still unknown, but with 2022 drawing closer, it's possible WB Games could be readying more informative trailers and promotional materials for the title's release.
On the official Gotham Knights website, it appears Gotham City is threatened by villains other than the Court of Owls in Gotham Knights. Four icons are covered in locks, suggesting WB Games hasn’t revealed them or won’t reveal them until after launch. Despite the presence of other threats, it appears the Court is the most prevalent danger to Gotham’s new protectors. This is unsurprising, seeing as the site confirms that society “[has] been shaping Gotham’s history” for over two centuries. With the amount of power this organization has, who are they, and why hasn’t Batman stopped them before?
The Court Of Owls Is Made Of Gotham Knights’ Wealthiest Citizens
Gotham Knights’ open-world is more interactive than Batman: Arkham’s games and features passive citizens and hostile enemies to battle. This mechanic makes the game feel active and immersive, instead of like a giant boxing ring for Gotham’s new protectors. While most Gotham City lives in squalor, there are dozens of influential wealthy businessmen, women, and politicians living in the outskirts. Most DC fans know Batman’s secret identity as Bruce Wayne, but he’s not the only billionaire playboy in Gotham. However, he’s possibly one of the few billionaires that aren’t a part of the Court of Owls, a secret society of upper echelon Gothamites seeking to mold the city in their own vision. The Waynes have historically refused membership in the Court of Owls, which might have resulted in their death in Crime Alley in certain continuities. It’s likely Gotham Knights’ Court of Owls could have done the same to Bruce Wayne after he refused to join their society.
The Court of Owls once influenced every public office and successful company, becoming immortalized in urban myth. Their membership has changed throughout various DC continuities, with several members of the Bat-family and extended members of Bruce Wayne’s family calling the Court of Owls their home. Kathy Kane, Batwoman’s formerly deceased sister, is one Court member who could appear in Gotham Knights, depending on which heroes appear throughout the city. Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne, the latter of which hasn’t appeared in Gotham Knights trailers or promotional materials, have also held membership with the Court of Owls. It’s unknown how Gotham Knights' Nightwing may interact with the Court, but the organization once pursued Nightwing due to his prophecy as the ‘Gray Son of Gotham’ to be their next Talon. Other members of the Court include Cressida Clark, Benjamin Orchard, John Wycliffe, Maria Powers, and Lincoln March, Bruce Wayne’s (and Batman’s) suspected brother.
The Court Of Owls Has Their Own Army In Gotham Knights
While the wealthier citizens of Gotham pose a financial and influential threat, the most significant physical threat comes with their army of Talons. Gotham Knights’ reveal trailer unveiled a hall filled with cryostasis pods. Each pod contains a Talon, an immortal warrior brainwashed to follow the Court’s every order. These Talons act as protectors, assassins, enforcers, and guards, lingering throughout Gotham City and awaiting the Court's directives. With the emphasis of Talons in Gotham Knights’ promotional material, it’s likely Nightwing, Red Hood, Batgirl, and Robin’s biggest threats will be the Court’s private army of Talons. The identity of Gotham Knights’ Talons is unknown, but many mighty warriors have entered their service willingly and unwillingly.
In several iterations of the Court, the army of Talons has included Owlman as a formidable soldier and leader. Though Owlman has appeared throughout DC in many iterations, the leading warrior in the Court of Owls provides a darker explanation for how Batman might’ve died. Owlman and Batman have clashed many times in comics, exhibiting similar measures of strength and intelligence throughout their interactions. However, given the danger posed by the Court of Owls and the unlikelihood of wealthy citizens throughout Gotham to fight Nightwing, Red Hood, Batgirl, or Robin head-on, Owlman could be Gotham Knights’ main villain. With the manpower and capital to overrun Gotham City’s new protectors, the Court of Owls enjoys nearly unlimited power in the rundown urban center.
The Court Of Owls Controls Gotham City In Gotham Knights
The Court of Owls may be Gotham Knights’ biggest threat, with even villains like the Penguin refusing to move against them. Their power is confirmed when Penguin cautions Nightwing against starting a war with them. As one of Batman's Rogues, Penguin would have no reason to keep Nightwing safe, as he’s likely previously tried to kill both Batman and Dick Grayson during his Robin career. This caution (and slight fear) from Gotham Knights’ Penguin suggests the Court is more dangerous than it first appears. Penguin’s civilian identity is Oswald Cobblepot, one of the wealthiest families in Gotham that lost their fortune from poor business decisions. It’s unknown if Gotham Knights' Penguin and the Cobblepot family had connections to the Court of Owls, or whether the organization had something to do with his family's downfall. Still, the villain’s appearance in the trailer implies some importance credited to the character.
Batgirl’s father, Commissioner Gordon, in Gotham Knights met an unfortunate demise before the game’s events. Most Batman stories or adventures based in Gotham City feature the Commissioner as a source of light and hope, but his death has darker implications. The GCPD always fostered corrupt cops perpetuating Gotham City’s dependence on crime, with villains like Two-Face and Penguin keeping high-ranking officers and officials on their payroll to make life easier. However, given the influence the Court holds in the wealth and industry of Gotham City, it’s likely their Talons removed Gordon from the equation to maintain control. With Batman and Gordon both out of the picture, and crimelords like Penguin too afraid to stand against the Court, the playable characters in Gotham Knights have their work cut out for them.
Gotham Knights is the successor to Batman: Arkham, despite taking place in another universe. Though WB Games has yet to reveal more gameplay or a release date for the project, recent leaks suggest a Spring 2022 release is possible. Until WB Games confirms this, interested players can expect Gotham Knights at some point in 2022. Gotham Knights is confirmed to release on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC systems.