The Dark Ages Slayer Draws Inspiration from a Fierce Batman

Here’s an interesting tidbit for you: the Doom Slayer in “Doom: The Dark Ages” draws inspiration from none other than Batman in Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight” comics. Yesterday, id Software announced that starting May 15, 2025, Doom: The Dark Ages’ achievements will be up for grabs, marking the game’s release and departure from our list of anticipated titles coming to Game Pass.

In a hands-off preview event of Doom: The Dark Ages, we had an exclusive sneak peek and a Q&A with the team at id Software, which revealed some fascinating insights. Hugo Martin, the creative director, disclosed that the new medieval-themed Doom Slayer took a page or two from Frank Miller’s renowned “The Dark Knight” comics. The thought of crafting a prequel had already been simmering when Doom (2016) was developed.

It turns out that Miller’s comics significantly influenced the game, presenting a more robust and formidable Doom Slayer than we’ve seen before. Amid Microsoft’s legal tussle with the FTC over acquiring Activision Blizzard, leaked documents hinted at a project titled “Doom: Year One” under development at Bethesda.

Hugo Martin confirmed that this codename paid tribute to Miller’s “Batman: Year One,” a piece that he and Marty Stratton admired back in 2016. He went on to say, “Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight is my all-time favorite comic, and it’s likely a favorite for many. His portrayal of Batman was immense, making him look like a powerhouse. I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be incredible to create a Slayer like that?’ A Slayer who’s massive and potent.”

Martin continued, “There was no more agility or aerobics to extract from Doom Eternal. We’re proud of Doom Eternal and its DLCs; they speak for themselves, as does Doom (2016). This new approach to the Doom Slayer felt like a different kind of power fantasy worth exploring. You can feel the weight of this character—not just hearing his footsteps but sensing the heft and power behind every action.”

The team at id Software had long hoped to delve into a prequel, which was hinted at in Doom (2016) through the Slayer’s Testaments and other story elements. Martin shared, “Visionaries like George Lucas set the standard for crafting character backstories back in the 80s. If done well, and the audience is eager, these backgrounds can be expanded upon in future iterations.”

Discussing this intriguing narrative potential, Martin added, “We laid the foundation with the Slayer’s Testaments, weaving the legend of the Slayer from the get-go. We were optimistic and hopeful that one day we’d have the opportunity to tell this story.”

Are you excited to rip through demons as a Doom Slayer inspired by Batman’s Dark Knight persona in this upcoming Xbox shooter? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!