The Dark Ages Slayer Draws Inspiration from a Fierce Batman

Here’s a bit of intriguing news: the Doom Slayer from “Doom: The Dark Ages” draws inspiration from none other than Batman, specifically from Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight” comic series. Just yesterday, id Software announced that starting May 15, 2025, gamers will be able to snag achievements for “Doom: The Dark Ages” as it leaves the list of upcoming Game Pass games.

During a Q&A session hosted by id Software, it was uncovered that this year’s iteration of the Doom Slayer embodies elements from the medieval world, echoing the tone of “The Dark Knight” comics. The creative director, Hugo Martin, elaborated on how Frank Miller’s iconic Batman storyline significantly influenced the creation of this new version of the Slayer. Interestingly, the team had been toying with the idea of a prequel since developing Doom (2016).

Frank Miller’s storytelling seems to have been a pivotal force in developing “Doom: The Dark Ages,” which presents a bulkier and more intimidating Slayer than we’ve seen before. Amid the legal drama of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, some leaked court documents mentioned a game known as “Doom: Year One” was in the pipeline at Bethesda.

Hugo Martin cleared up that this codename was a nod to “Batman: Year One,” a comic that made a lasting impression on him and Marty Stratton back in 2016. He added that “The Dark Knight” as a series was a recurrent source of creativity.

“My all-time favorite comic, which is probably not a big surprise, is Frank Miller’s ‘The Dark Knight,'” Martin remarked. “It portrayed Batman as colossal. His depiction was phenomenal—like a powerhouse, almost tank-like… Everything about him felt formidable. I thought to myself, ‘Imagine creating a Slayer like that, with heft and strength.'”

He continued, “After Doom Eternal, we wondered what more could be achieved in terms of speed and acrobatics. We were quite satisfied with Doom Eternal and its DLCs, and Doom (2016) still holds its ground. But envisioning an alternative Slayer power fantasy seemed worthwhile, something players would enjoy. He’s not straightforward to play; we’re fine-tuning how weighty he feels continuously. The sound of his steps is like a mini-earthquake; it’s a sensation of pure power.”

Martin also shed light on their interest in exploring a prequel rooted in the layer of lore presented in Doom (2016) through the Slayer’s Testaments, hoping to someday tell that origin story.

“Visionaries like George Lucas set the blueprint for this kind of storytelling back in the 80s,” Martin explained. “Every hero has a backstory, and if executed correctly, and with enough fan interest, these can be expanded in sequels.”

“The Slayer’s origins were a part of our design from the very start, captured in the Slayer’s Testaments: his legend. We were hopeful—fingers crossed—that someday, we’d get the chance to unravel this storyline.”

Eager to dive into the medieval chaos and unleash havoc as a Doom Slayer inspired by the Dark Knight? Share your thoughts in the comments below!