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- Gotham Knights is launching on consoles and a brand-new audience will be diving into the narratives surrounding the Court of Owls for the first time. This antagonistic group is very familiar to comic book fans though, and these details could help to inform players that want to get to know the villainous unit better.
Comic books frequently flirt with larger-than-life concepts and conspiracy theories, some of which revolve around secret societies that pull the strings from the shadows. Gotham City has its own ultra-secretive group in the form of the Court of Owls, a group that has gained more prominence over the last few years in TV shows like Batman comic books at large.
The Court of Owls is not explicitly political, but it does have its fingers in plenty of Gotham's institutions. It's a criminal group not unlike SPECTRE from the James Bond universe, but its roots go far deeper. Comic book fans have amassed a good deal of information on this shadowy cabal that the average fan may not be aware of.
UPDATE: 2022/10/21 10:45 EST BY GEORGE CHRYSOSTOMOU
Gotham Knights is launching on consoles and a brand-new audience will be diving into the narratives surrounding the Court of Owls for the first time. This antagonistic group is very familiar to comic book fans though, and these details could help to inform players that want to get to know the villainous unit better.
Owls In The Multiverse
The Court of Owls has managed to survive across multiple different Earths throughout the Multiverse, whether that's within realities that have remained largely the same regardless of events, or whether that's on Earth-Prime within its many incarnations like the New 52.
While within DC Comics there is often some evolution, the Court of Owls has remained largely the same regardless of the reality presented to audiences. Batman's evil counterpart on Earth-3 is Owlman, which in some narratives the Court of Owls were actually influenced by the mythology of.
Funding Villains
The Power of the Court of Owls is undeniable, with its often made up of the most corrupt senior figures in public and private life. Their influence is already felt at every level of society, but they've used their unique positions to fund other villains for their own personal gain.
There are examples of this throughout Batman's history, with a full range of dastardly foes getting the backing of the parliament. Cluemaster's campaign against the Dark Knight is one such instance where the Court threw their full force behind an outsider, helping to destabilize the vigilante slightly to their own benefit.
How To
As was documented in an episode of Harley Quinn, comic book fans are aware of the slightly humorous history of ing the Court of Owls. Just like any cult, there are seemingly some shadowy practices that are required for new to be inducted into the parliament.
Sacrifices, specific tasks designed to test loyalty, and financial donations are often expected from newcomers. For those who want to fill very skilled roles such as the assassin-based Talons, readers will be well aware of the brutal training these warriors undertake to combat the Bat-Family.
The Leadership Debate
Lincoln March, who has donned the armor of the Talon on numerous occasions, is one of the most storied leaders of the Court of Owls. The political debate at the head of the parliament has always been a violent one, but March has given his life in service of the Court, eventually getting resurrected.
After DC Rebirth, it was March who sought to take the cult in a new direction, bringing in the black masks and promising a more prosperous future. Comic book fans will be well aware that it's dangerous to try and shift the direction of the Owls, with the Raptor quickly disposing of March to dissuade his ers.
They've Been Around For Centuries
The Court of Owls is a loose fictional nod to many conspiracy theories involving supposed secret societies that have existed for hundreds of years, be it the Illuminati or the Knights Templar. Apparently, the outfit has been around since the 1600s, if not earlier than that. Like many horror films based on real-life cults, the Court of Owls has a similar feel, making it one of the more believable criminal outfits in the DC universe.
The full origin story of the villainous Court has yet to be revealed, but it might actually ruin their aura of mystery. With so much information shrouded in darkness and speculation, there's no telling how their actions have influenced and shaped Gotham's development, particularly when it comes to crime.
Their Operations
The Court of Owls might operate in near-total secrecy, but their various bases of operation are littered throughout Gotham, especially in buildings created by Alan Wayne. Secret rooms and hidden bunkers are everywhere, allowing the Court's to move secretly between them and affect their plans.
What's more striking about this realization is the fact that its have retained their secrecy for so long. It's especially difficult to tighten up loose lips on the best of days, and the fact that so few secrets have managed to spill out is a testament to the order's commitment.
The Secret Of The Talons
When it comes to dispatching foes, silencing whistleblowers, and installing change within Gotham City, the Court relies on the expertise of highly trained assassins known as Talons. Typically, the Court employed one Talon at a time to do their bidding, possibly to prevent a hostile takeover.
Talons are expert killers with combat proficiency that allowed one such recruit, William Cobb, to fight both Batman and Nightwing at the same time in one of the best of the New 52 timeline's moments. They rely on a serum tinted with an elemental compound to heal wounds, and they can even be resurrected after death. This guarantees that the Court wastes minimal resources, and the need to train more Talons.
Secrecy Is Paramount
The Court of Owls is different from many other fictional criminal syndicates that don't mind throwing their name around now and again. The organization would surely have not survived as long as it has without a strict and uncompromising approach to secrecy. As such, they eluded even Batman's superior detective skills for years.
One of the few snippets of information about the Court is an old nursery rhyme that insinuates that those who speak so much as a "whispered word" will face retribution at the hands of a Talon, one of their elite assassins. Given the nature of the Court of Owls, it's amazing they allowed even this seemingly benign clue to remain in the wild.
They're Arrogant
For all of their secrecy and shadowy behavior, it seems that centuries of operation have made the Court's a deeply arrogant lot. They were incensed when Batman managed to defeat William Cobb, one of their star Talons in a fight, and they retaliated by activating all of their remaining Talons at once to take him out.
By that time, Batman had become Gotham City's most popular and enduring legend. Criminals feared him, residents cheered him, and the police were happy for his help. The Court was so enraged by this fact that they attempted to wipe out not just Batman, but all those who stood with him, in order to secure their own petty legacy for future generations.
The Wayne Connection
The New 52 reboot of the DC Universe introduced the character of Lincoln March, who seemed to have direct ties to the Wayne family. It was later revealed that he thought of himself as Thomas Wayne Jr., Bruce's sibling who supposedly lived for only twelve hours after his mother gave birth.
Evidence continues to be shaky, but it is possible the Court faked this story in order to manipulate March. Batman was forced to contend with his supposed brother on several occasions, before finally defeating and freezing him. The Court also murdered Bruce's ancestor Alan Wayne. In fact, they were once suspected of killing Bruce Wayne's parents, adding another layer on top of one of the funniest Batman memes to go around.
