Harley Quinn is probably DC’s biggest character right now. Her solo book sells by the longbox, cosplayers love her, and she’s anchoring the upcoming Suicide Squad movie and living the dream we’ve all had, namely getting the chance to hit Jared Leto with a giant mallet. And now, she’s getting her own video game.
Batman: Arkham Knight was always shipping with preorder DLC; this wasn’t a huge shock, but it was supposedly just some “challenge maps.” But according to Cinemablend, Amazon recently revealed that the DLC is, in fact, a prequel where Harley destroys the Bludhaven PD to save her sister from another mister:
For the first time in the Arkham series take on the role of Joker’s psychotic side-kick Harley Quinn and wreak havoc inside the Blüdhaven Police Department. With this exclusive Story Pack experience events in the lead-up to Arkham Knight as you infiltrate Blüdhaven to rescue your partner in crime: Poison Ivy. Delve deep into Harley’s demented nature and utilize her devastating baseball bat to smash, crash and bash your way to a friend very much in need.
Also of interest, if you look at Amazon’s little preorder blurb, it says “Plus, includes four challenge maps.” That sounds quite a bit like this is single-player content, not just a few maps with a thin story. Equally intriguing is that Rocksteady and WB Games also call the upcoming Red Hood DLC a “Story Pack,” so we might be filling in a few more blanks.
I have to admit, I’m interested mostly because Harley isn’t noted for skulking in the shadows and swooping down off of gargoyles; if the DLC isn’t totally ridiculous, this will feel like a much different game, and likely one that explains the Mature rating this game received. And if that weren’t enough, Blüdhaven is traditionally the home of Nightwing. Basically, this whole thing will be sheer comics nerd continuity porn. June 23 can’t come soon enough.