Robot 6
Batman: Arkham City’s Robin is a troubled, cage-fighting introvert
Robin concept art from "Batman: Arkham City"
If you were perplexed by the Robin design released last month for Batman: Arkham City by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment, you weren’t alone. Some Robot 6 commenters referred to the look as “Eminem” and even (shudder) “horribly Schumacher-esque,” while at the Batman: Arkham City Community forums the discussion continued at length.
Now, however, Rocksteady Studios senior concept artist Kan Muftic has stepped forward with “the final word on Robin,” providing some insight into the game’s version of Tim Drake and revealing an additional piece of color concept art.
“We wanted to create a Robin that players would identify as a contemporary character and move away from the traditional ‘Boy Wonder’ image that most people know,” Muftic wrote in a message posted on the forum. “Our vision of Robin is the one of a troubled young individual that is calm and introverted at times but very dangerous and aggressive if provoked. The shaved head is inspired by cage fighters, because we thought that Robin might be doing that in his spare time to keep him on his toes. Still, we kept all the classic trademarks of Robin’s appearance, such as the red and yellow colors of his outfit, the cape and the mask. We really hope that people will discover our Robin as one of their new favorite characters in the Batman universe. He is back and he means business.”
Batman: Arkham City, the sequel to the bestselling 2009 video game Batman: Arkham Asylum, is set inside the newly constructed fortified walls that have transformed part of Gotham’s slums into a sprawling maximum-security prison for the city’s gangsters, thugs and criminally insane. Robin will be available as a playable character in the challenge mode to those in North America who pre-order the game from Best Buy.
Arkham City will be released Oct. 18 in North America and Oct. 21 in Europe.
10 Comments
Brandon
July 6, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Ha!
Josh Grant
July 6, 2011 at 2:31 pm
I dunno how Tim Drake would do as a cage-fighter, I doubt he could stop the takedown or scramble well enough back to his feet against some of the top-control wrestlers.
Fp
July 6, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Probably a forgettable character…but remember whose writing Arkham City, until i see otherwise Dini can do no wrong.
Be
July 6, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Why are European game designers so obsessed with gritty emo looks
El Santo
July 6, 2011 at 2:49 pm
I guess that a Robin who’s into UFC is a doable update to the original trapeze artist origin.
But a mopey, troubled youth? … In other words, like exactly every other teenage superhero these days, then?
Jeremy
July 6, 2011 at 2:56 pm
You guys should have seen the reactions from damn near all over the video game communities when they announced Robin as DLC. So much hatred, think he’s cheesy, lot of “Holy Fishballs, Batman” jokes, think he’s out of place, etc. They are so against anything that would disturb their grim, dark knight game, and Rocksteady knows their demographic. So out with lighthearted, funny, colorful Robin, in with dark, disturbed, flawed Robin.
Kris Krause
July 6, 2011 at 2:59 pm
I don’t mind this direction for Robin. It fits with the world they designed. But the character they described is an updated Jason Todd, not a Tim Drake.
Chris
July 8, 2011 at 8:36 am
Pragmatic, utilitarian, and well designed. Why is everyone hating on this? Looks better than what Tim Drake will be wearing in DCnU.
O.
July 11, 2011 at 2:37 am
I’ve liked this since I’ve seen it. The look might not be as fitting for Tim Drake and may be better for Dick Grayson but that’s only the head and face. If he’s actually in the story portion of the game, we don’t entirely know what his character will be like. I can’t wait for this game.
Adam
April 5, 2012 at 10:08 pm
To answer your question Chris (i know its old) I’m guessing it’s just hate from those who only read young justice. I doubt longtime Tim Drake fans who’ve been with the character since Chuck Dixon have any problems with this. Now that Arkham CIty is out, I can’t believe how well Rocksteady did with Tim. I hope they also do Stephanie as Spoiler and Batgirl in the next game!