In Batman: Arkham Knight, a subtly hidden Easter egg confirms the presence of another DC hero in the game’s universe. The Arkham Universe is full of Easter eggs and references to other DC properties, as well as other Batman characters that don’t appear in the game proper. While there are a massive amount of characters in Batman: Arkham Knight, even more appear in the game by way of subtle references or Easter eggs.
Batman is far from the only DC hero at work in the Batman: Arkham games. Green Arrow is referenced by the towering (though not the tallest building in the game to jump off of) Queen Enterprises skyscraper on Founders Island, and the Black Canary Club (hinting at the titular heroine) can be found on Miagani Island. Kate Kane, also known as Batwoman, can be heard on Bruce Wayne’s answering machine in Wayne Tower. With the overt nature of some of these references, it’s no question that a smaller reference hidden in plain sight could elude some players.
In Batman: Arkham Knight, Batman can find a reference to veteran GCPD Officer and part-time vigilante Renee Montoya. On the shift board in GCPD, Batman can see Montoya’s name with a question mark next to it. Far from being another Riddler challenge, this hints at Montoya’s alter ego, The Question. Montoya’s presence in the game should not come as a surprise, given her status as a GCPD officer, ally to Batman, and ally/occasional lover to Batwoman.
In Batman: Arkham Knight, Who Is Renee Montoya/The Question?
Before being mentioned in Batman: Arkham Knight, Renee Montoya made her debut in 1992 in Batman: The Animated Series, and has been a recurring character in Batman-related media ever since. She is often seen in the company of Batwoman, with whom she is in an on-again-off-again romance (varying between writers and storylines). This isn’t the case in Batman: Arkham Knight, fixing DC’s biggest New 52 blunder according to some. She has a notable connection to the villain Two-Face, having had major interactions with him during the Gotham Central and No Man’s Land comic arcs.
Montoya first inherits the mantle of The Question in 2007 during the 52 event in DC comics, far before her appearance in Batman: Arkham Knight. While wearing the mask of the Question grants her no special superpowers, it does allow her to work above and beyond what her normal police powers would allow. It also allows her to rub shoulders with superheroes from the Birds of Prey and the Justice League. At times, Montoya (as the Question) was a member of both teams.
The universe of Batman: Arkham Knight aspires to be as deep and rich as the comics it draws its inspiration from. A wide variety of heroes and villains appear in the game in one form or another, even extending beyond Batman’s immediate rogue’s gallery and cast of allies. Perhaps it was better that Montoya made no appearance in the game, as she may have had to arrest Batman for every crime he committed during the course of the game. However, inclusions like Renee Montoya and, by extension, The Question prove that Rocksteady was dedicated to keeping Batman: Arkham Knight in touch with its roots and connected to every aspect of the Batman mythology.
