Here’s an intriguing tidbit for gaming enthusiasts: the Doom Slayer in “Doom: The Dark Ages” took inspiration from Frank Miller’s depiction of Batman in “The Dark Knight” series. This revelation came to light when id Software announced that achievements for “Doom: The Dark Ages” will become available on May 15, 2025, as the game officially joins the lineup on Game Pass.
Recently, I had the privilege to preview “Doom: The Dark Ages” in a special session with id Software, where they revealed fascinating insights during a Q&A segment. Hugo Martin, the creative director, shared that the medieval version of the Doom Slayer was heavily influenced by Miller’s iconic portrayal of Batman, and the groundwork for this adaptation began way back while they were developing “Doom” in 2016.
Miller’s gritty, robust vision of Batman significantly colored the shaping of a newer, more formidable version of the Doom Slayer that we’ll encounter. Interestingly, some uncovered court documents during Microsoft’s legal tussle with the FTC revealed Bethesda had been working on a project titled “Doom: Year One.”
Hugo Martin verified this “Year One” codename was a “Homage to Batman’s Year One comic,” which both he and Marty Stratton admired back in 2016. Apparently, the entire Dark Knight saga had left a lasting impression.
“My all-time favorite comic—and I’m sure it’s a top pick for many—is Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight,” Martin confessed. “Miller’s Batman was just massive, virtually a force of nature. He was like a tank where everything about him screamed power and awe-inspiring presence. That kind of character is what I envisioned for our Slayer—heavy, strong, a Slayer in a league of his own.”
He continued, “While we’re incredibly proud of Doom Eternal and its expansions, and they stand tall alongside Doom (2016), we felt it was time to navigate this new path of the Doom Slayer power fantasy. It’s not about nimble acrobatics anymore. This Slayer has weight, and it’s a thrilling power trip for the players. You can feel his presence, every step echoes his strength, and it’s simply exhilarating.”
Martin also hinted at a long-cherished plan to delve into a prequel, threads of which were sewn into Doom (2016) through the Slayer’s Testaments and the wider lore. Their ambition was always to create space for this narrative expansion should they get the chance.
“Visionaries like George Lucas laid down the blueprint in the 80s for crafting enduring sagas,” Martin pointed out. “A hero should carry history, and if your audience is invested enough, you’d want to explore that through sequels.”
“The Slayer’s legacy was crafted right from the start with the Slayer’s Testaments and the legend surrounding him. We always hoped there’d come a time when we could flesh out that backstory,” he added.
Excited to unleash havoc on demons as a Doom Slayer inspired by the Dark Knight in this upcoming first-person shooter on Xbox? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
