Is Azrael Returning In Batman: Arkham Knight?

Today, Rocksteady Studios and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment released a teaser for the next Batman: Arkham Knight trailer. The tease offered a glimpse at a returning character from past Batman Arkham games, and we think we have an idea who it is.

What we’ve seen of the character’s design reminds us of Azreal from Batman: Arkham City. This version of the character was based on Michael Lane, the ex-cop Azreal first introduced in Grant Morrison’s Batman run, with some portions of Jean-Paul Valley’s story mixed in.

The Arkhamverse version of Azreal is a member of the Order of St. Dumas. He left clues scattered around Gotham for Batman to find, eventually leading the Dark Knight to the Gotham Cathedral. There, Azreal delivered a foreboding message to Batman:

I bring a message: dark days are coming, Batman. The Prophecy is coming true, you are the warrior who will close the gates of Hell, you are the one who will save this day, and in doing so, events will occur that you cannot stop, from the ashes of Arkham the fires will rage and Gotham will burn, and you, you will burn too.

Batman did save the day in Arkham City, but he didn’t fall in the process. Perhaps the consequences of Batman’s victory are set to be played out in Arkham Knight, perhaps in direct relation to the games mysterious title character, and Azreal is returning to see the prophecy through.

We’ll hopefullly know more when the full “All Who Follow You” trailer for Batman: Arkham Knight releases on April 27.

Batman: Arkham Kngiht releases June 23.