Arkham Asylum may have been reduced to rubble in 2021, but this iconic piece ofBatmanlore is back—and it’s more terrifying than ever. The real horror, however, is up for debate: is it the swarm of social media influencers descending on its haunted ruins, or the blood-soaked chaos unleashed by the Dark Knight’s newest nemesis?
While Arkham Asylum may no longer house Gotham’s most infamous, criminally insane criminals, it has once again become a key piece of Batman lore…
Batman and Robin#16, by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Miguel Mendonca, Marcelo Maiolo, and Steve Wands, is set for full release on July 26, 2025. In the meantime, fans can enjoy a four-page preview, which confirms that the ominous tone from the previous issue will persist as the Dynamic Duo faces their latest adversary, Memento.
So far, Memento’s modus operandi has involved targeting locations tied to the city’s greatest tragedies and traumas for his increasingly brutal killings. Now, it seems the villain has set his sights on the abandoned Arkham Asylum for his next killing spree.
Social Media Influencers & Batman’s Latest Adversary Just Made Arkham Asylum Even More Terrifying
Cover D 1:25 Card Stock Variant by Carmine Di Giandomenico forBatman and Robin#16 (2024)
Batman and Robin#16 opens with dialogue from what quickly becomes clear is a social media influencer live-streaming their experience on an Arkham Asylum tour. As DC fans know, Arkham has been nonfunctional sinceit was destroyed inInfinite Frontier#0 (2021) by Joshua Williamson, James Tynion IV, and Scott Snyder. This tour, therefore, takes place in the now-abandoned and still-wrecked facility. Whilemany fans will no doubt feel a chill of horror at seeing the iconic Arkham Asylum reduced to clickbait for influencers, the true terror unfolds when a supernatural attack targets the influencers.
One moment, the influencers are bickering and searching for the best camera angles; the next, shadowy figures emerge, grabbing them and tearing them apart. Readers quickly recognize the horrific scene unfolding as the work of Memento, with the villain’s eerie, over-the-top, and somewhat nonsensical narration echoing the halls of the Asylum as the shadow creatures attack. While Arkham Asylum may no longer house Gotham’s most infamous, criminally insane criminals, it has once again become a key piece of Batman lore—this time as the latest crime scene he must investigate.
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Batman and Robin Returning to Arkham Asylum Is a Long Overdue Treat to Fans
Cover C Card Stock Variant by Dan Panosian forBatman and Robin#16 (2024)
While Memento’s attack on Arkham is chilling, what will truly captivate is the return of the Dynamic Duo to one of their most iconic stomping grounds. It will be interesting to see how Bruce and Damian react to being drawn back to a place that has long been central to their story, especially after its years of abandonment. With Carmine Di Giandomenico’s art, fans can expect a visually striking depiction ofBatmanandRobinamidst the ruins of Arkham Asylum, haunted by the echoes of their past foes as a new threat emerges.
Batman and Robin #16is available August 19, 2025, from DC Comics!
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
