An old friend becomes a new adversary as Bruce learns more about the Wayne family legacy and Batman escalates the fight against crime and corruption throughout Gotham.

Batman: The Telltale Series

Episode 2 – Children of Arkham

Picking up after the events of Episode 1 – Realm of Shadows, Episode 2 – Children of Arkham begins with Bruce Wayne in Crime Alley, the place where his parents were murdered.  Bruce confronts Alfred about his family’s history with Carmine Falcone and Hamilton Hill in Alfred gives much exposition.  This is a pretty shocking revelation about the Wayne family, a family who has dedicated its money, name, and resources to bettering Gotham.  After having a flashback Bruce remembers a bit of information that links his parents murder to Falcone.

Bruce goes to the police department to question Falcone and with the help of Harvey gains audience with him who is recovering after being beaten by Batman.  After some back and forth banter Falcone nearly divulge his secrets when he is killed by Renee Montoya.  With Harvey and Gordon dealing with Falcone’s lawyers Bruce interrogates Montoya to discover his suspicions that she was drugged were true.  Bruce then suspects Cobblepot as being the culprit when she mentions a ‘revolution’.  Batman goes to confront Cobblepot who claims responsibility for Falcone’s death. After battling one of Cobblepot’s henchmen, Batman is nearly killed and Cobblepot and his henchmen manage to escape.

Bruce meets Selina at a bar in which he warns her of danger.  The two are ambushed by hired men of Penguin.  Honestly, one of the exciting and entertaining bar fights in a video game. Ever.  The two part ways and Bruce discovers that Hill and Cobblepot are working together, so Bruce confronts Hill who reveals that Cobblepot’s play is revenge for Hill, Falcone, and the Wayne’s part in the Cobblepot family’s downfall.  A pretty important moment where it does show that the Wayne’s aren’t as good as they seem.

Penguin’s thugs take over City Hall during the electoral debate between Hill and Dent and with Catwoman’s help, Batman frees the hostages.  It is revealed that Oswald is under the employ of a mysterious group known as the Children of Arkham and that Thomas Wayne was responsible for institutionalizing Oswald’s mother.  When the police raid the building, a chaotic battle ensues with Penguin escaping but not before killing Hill and disfiguring Harvey.  The episode ends with Catwoman awaking inside Bruce’s home and propaganda by the Children of Arkham.

The Verdict:  In the end, Episode 2 – Children of Arkham is a very intense episode that continues to escalate the stakes.  Bruce learns more about his father’s dark past with his connection to the corrupt Major Hill and the crime boss Falcone.  It’s hard growing up with your parents who are perfect in your eyes and then you learn that they’re actually dicks.  Also, there is the famous love/hate relationship between Bruce and Selina that was great with its execution and the hopeful cliffhanger with the two.  What will become of Harvey?  Of course, this is going to lead to him be the criminal Two-Face but what will his role be like now?  And finally, who the hell are the Children of Arkham?  Seems like Batman always has to deal with this fanatical cults that want to either control Gotham or destroy it.  A great episode that just sets up the story more and more.  Episode 2 – Children of Arkham gets 4 out of 5.