Fans eagerly await the next game in Rocksteady's lineup, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. As the release date draws ever closer, the studio put out a "story" trailer detailing the narrative, characters, and tone players can expect. It's basically a mile-a-minute montage akin to Guy Ritchie, which is exciting enough.
Arguably more enticing is the plethora of nods to the larger DC Universe. Not only does the tale sport several wonderfully wacky characters from the comics, but it hides countless visual gags and sly references that only longtime fans will pick up on. By the looks of things, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will be a deep dive into that superhero playground and a love letter to DC aficionados everywhere.
9 LexCorp
The game takes place in Metropolis, so this isn't much of a stretch. In the background, viewers see the name "LexCorp" on a wall. As the name suggests, this is the company of Superman's nemesis, Lex Luthor.
While this could be an innocuous reference, it may point to an interesting narrative turn. Specifically, the Suicide Squad might seek Luthor's help in stopping the Justice League. Such a task is one he'd obviously relish. Alternatively, the characters will probably just steal his tech.
8 Brainiac Attacks
It's clear that the Justice League is under the control of a mechanical menace in the sky. To a layman, this may look like a standard evil robot or alien vessel. To DC devotees, it'll be immediately recognizable as Brainiac.
This extraterrestrial is a computerized being bent on absorbing the data and knowledge of every world he visits before destroying the said world. Among his most efficient methods is brainwashing. That's exactly what he did to the Justice League, hence the reason for the ridiculous premise. Fans have yet to see the villain in the flesh (figuratively), but it's only a matter of time.
7 A Lost Lantern Returns
The Green Lantern has never been as big as Batman, Superman, or Wonder Woman. Though he's showing up more and more nowadays, be it in the animated movies or the 2011 box office bomb, he's most often the Hal Jordan version. This may be the mainstream choice, but plenty of other Lanterns exist.
Most popular among fans is John Stewart, a former Marine who eventually took over for Jordan. The Justice League TV series skipped this step and made Stewart the resident Green Lantern, but he's sadly never taken center stage since. At long last, it's good to see him back in the spotlight here.
6 Fly, Penguin, Fly!
Toward the end, a miniature mook makes a run for it. Harley says, "The Penguin has taken flight," prompting Amanda Waller to shock him into submission. This might sound like a goofy code name; it wouldn't be the first time Harley has put her random spin on something serious.
Those looking closer will see that this runner is actually the Penguin, one of Batman's iconic foes. The game supposedly takes place in the Arkham universe, where this slippery bird is a constant thorn in players' sides. Seeing him tased might be therapeutic after repeatedly knocking him off his perch. Why his head doesn't explode is anyone's guess.
5 Comic Numbers
This surely went unnoticed by even the most diligent fans. As the squad prepares for their bomb injection, they're lined up in their prison uniforms. Like any uniform, they have inmate numbers.
What the trailer doesn't tell you is that these numbers have a double meaning.
Not only do they indicate the characters' places in the prison system, but they also reference the first comics they appeared in. The exception is Harley Quinn, which is no accident. She didn't debut in a comic; she got her start in Batman: The Animated Series. The developers could have included her episode number, but that would have been difficult to fit in the same format at the comic issues.
4 Classic Batmobile
If Batman's car appeared at all in this game, players might have expected it to be the convertible tank from Arkham Knight. Instead, the Batmobile here goes back to the classic design akin to a racecar. It's also noticeably brighter than before, thanks in no small part to the light in front.
This design conjures images of the neon-lit Batmobile from Joel Schumacher's farcical films, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. That might be intentional since this is a more lighthearted game. Why not draw from one of the cheesier times in the Dark Knight's onscreen career to complement a sillier tone?
3 Riddle Me This: Who's Hat Is That?
King Shark doesn't normally sport any headgear, and that's why it's so jarring when he briefly dons a hat in the trailer. What's more jarring is that said hat belongs to the Riddler, another recurring Batman foe.
This eloquent rogue has a penchant for puzzles, which likely haunts players' nightmares. His unhealthy passion prompted him to scatter countless collectibles, challenges, and riddles across Gotham in every Arkham game. If gamers wanted to put him away, they had to solve every single one of these conundrums. As such, fans are probably praying this hat is the most they see of the Riddler here.
2 Blaze Comics
This opens up a can of worms. At one point, the Batmobile zooms past several stores and other establishments. One of these is Blaze Comics. Is this a random name? Nope, it's actually an in-universe company responsible for publishing comic books about Booster Gold. These adventures are supposedly based on his real superhero exploits.
The shop is here, so does that mean that the showboat himself will pop up? It would certainly fit the tone the game is going for. Even if this doesn't turn out to be the case, this simple store means that Booster Gold is running around somewhere in the Arkham universe. That's wild enough for the craziest asylum.
1 The Hall Of Justice
During one of the requisite "heroes walking toward the camera" shots, viewers see some maintenance guys working on some statues in the background. These statues depict the titular Justice League, and they frequently function as decorations for the Hall of Justice. It's basically the team's base of operations and occasional tourist destination for citizens.
The Suicide Squad's presence here can't be that wholesome. They're likely here to loot the place, evidenced by Harley using Batman's grapnel gun. What better way to take down the superheroes than with their own toys?
The Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League is set to release in 2022.