Players can expect to fight a lot of different villains from across the Batman comics in Gotham Knights, but which ones exactly will they encounter?
Fans can expect to see both villains popularised by the movies and obscure bad guys only hardcore fans will know. Suffice to say, this lineup of villains is sure to please a lot of people.
Of course, while we wonder if Batman is really dead in Gotham Knights, it’ll be up to Robin, Nightwing, Bat Girl, and Red Hood to take these villains down.
How Many Villains Are There in Gotham Knights?
There are eight villains that players can encounter in Gotham Knights that span Batman’s iconic and obscure rogues gallery. The list of villains is as follows:
- Ra’s al Ghul
- Talia al Ghul (Main Boss)
- The Court of Owls & the Talon (Main Boss)
- Harley Quinn (Side Boss)
- Clayface (Side Boss)
- Mr. Freeze (Side Boss)
- The Penguin (NPC)
- Professor Pyg
Fans may also be wondering where the Joker is in Gotham Knights.
Every Villain in Gotham Knights
Ra’s al Ghul
Ra’s al Ghul is perhaps best known as the leader of the League of Assassins, the father of Talia al Ghul, and the grandfather of Damian Wayne (aka a different Robin to the one in Gotham Knights).
He is perhaps the most iconic villain out of Batman’s rogues gallery. He’s appeared not only in the comics numerous times, but in movies, animated films, and, of course, video games.
Ra’s al Ghul has survived for many centuries thanks to the help of the Lazarus Pits – which extend people’s lives.
Throughout that time, he has honed his fighting skills, making him one of the strongest villains Batman has ever faced.
Ra’s al Ghul was created by Julius Schwartz, Dennis O’Neil, and Neal Adams. He debuted in June 1971 in the comic book Batman #232 “Daughter of the Demon”.
Talia al Ghul – Main Boss
Talia al Ghul is a villain and antiheroine and the daughter of Ra’s al Ghul. She frequently works for a villainous organization – such as Lex Corp – while assisting the heroes in underhanded ways.
She eventually marries Batman which creates conflict between her father and Batman. It is this conflict that ultimately makes her such a compelling character.
Talia al Ghul has appeared in comics, animated features, TV shows, and video games. Perhaps most famously, she was portrayed by Marion Cotillard in the movie, The Dark Knight Rises.
She was created by Dick Giordano, Denny O’Neil, and Bob Brown. Her first appearance was in the comic book Detective Comics #411 “Into the Den of the Death-Dealers!” back in May 1971.
The Court of Owls & the Talon – Main Boss
The Talons are the assassins of The Court of Owls, a secret society that influences and controls Gotham city.
The Court of Owls is famous for its roles in a lot of the major events that have occurred in Gotham City and for its unethical practices when it comes to getting what they want.
William Cobbs is famously one of the greatest Talons in the Court of Owls. He is also notably the great-grandfather of Dick Grayson (aka Nightwing).
Both the Court of Owls and the Talon were introduced in the comic book Batman (Volume 2) Issue 1 back in September 2011.
Harley Quinn – Side Boss
Harley Quinn (aka Dr. Harleen Quinzel) was a psychiatrist in Arkham Asylum who fell madly in love with the Joker – her patient at the time – and as a result, became his devoted sidekick.
Her relationship with the Joker has morphed considerably over the years. In more recent adaptations of the character, she ends her abusive relationship with the Joker and asserts her own independence.
She has appeared in a number of media, including comics, video games, animated films, movies, and even her own animated TV series by the same name.
Most famously, she has been portrayed by Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad, The Suicide Squad, and Birds of Prey.
Harley Quinn was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm. She first appeared in the episode “Joker’s Favor” of the Batman: The Animated Series.
Clayface – Side Boss
Clayface has had a number of origins, however, the most popular one is that he is Basil Karlo, the son of a VFX artist who created a substance called Renu.
After getting in a car accident, Karlo uses the substance to recreate his face as it allows him to shapeshift. Only he ends up ingesting too much into his body which turns him into Clayface
Clayface’s many appearances have ranged from dramatic to comical. His original version was even a part of a group called the Mudpack.
However, his acting talents, shapeshifting ability, and superhuman strength make him a formidable foe that has gone on to be quite the terrifying monster.
Clayface was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. He debuted in the comic Detective Comics #40, “The Murders of Clayface” in June 1940.
Mr. Freeze – Side Boss
Dr. Victor Fries (aka Mr. Freeze) started his criminal empire in order to find a cure for his terminally ill wife Nora, who was cryogenically frozen.
However, Nora was eventually taken off of life support, which caused an accident that made Fries’ body ice-cold and unable to live above subzero temperatures.
Mr. Freeze used to be a one-dimensional character that was killed off by the Joker. However, his origin story was eventually fleshed out in the 1992 episode “Heart of Ice” in Batman: The Animated Series.
This episode not only won the show an Emmy but also led Mr. Freeze to become one of the more popular villains in Batman’s lineup of villains.
He first appeared as Mr. Zero in the comic book Batman #121, “The Ice Crimes of Mr. Zero!” back in February 1959. He would be rebranded as Mr. Freeze in the TV show episode “Instant Freeze” in 1966.
The Penguin – NPC
Oswald Cobblepot (aka The Penguin) is one of Batman’s oldest villains, having been created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane themselves back in 1941.
His origin is that as a child he is outcasted due to his appearance. The ridicule he suffers later turns him to a life of anger and crime.
The nickname The Penguin comes from his beak-like nose and love of birds – including penguins of course. He also manages a nightclub called the Iceberg Lounge as a front for his criminal activities.
The Penguin has appeared in a number of different adaptations, most notably in Batman Returns as portrayed by Danny DeVito.
Professor Pyg
Professor Pyg is a deeply disturbed surgeon who is obsessed with making beautiful things, and as a result, kidnaps the people of Gotham and turns them into horrifying doll-like people called Dollotrons.
He is easily one of Batman’s most disturbing villains, both in his actions and in his visual appearance. He is also the leader of the Circus of Strange which includes villains such as Mister Toad and Big Top.
Unsurprisingly to fans of the comics, Professor Pyg was created by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert. He first appeared in the comic Batman Issue 666, “Batman in Bethlehem” in June 2007.
