The Dark Ages Slayer Draws Inspiration from a Fearless Batman

Here’s an exciting tidbit: the inspiration for Doom: The Dark Ages’ Slayer came from Frank Miller’s iconic Batman comic series, The Dark Knight. Just recently, id Software announced that starting on May 15, 2025, players will be able to unlock Doom: The Dark Ages achievements. That’s the day when the game will step out of the anticipated lineup for Game Pass.

In a recent detailed look at Doom: The Dark Ages, we participated in a lively Q&A session with id Software that unearthed some fascinating insights. During this session, creative director Hugo Martin shared that the development of this new medieval-themed Doom Slayer took cues from the intense vibe of Batman in The Dark Knight comics. Interestingly, the seeds for this inspiration were already planted when the team worked on Doom in 2016.

Frank Miller’s storytelling evidently left a mark on Doom: The Dark Ages, offering us a heftier, more formidable version of the Slayer. In the midst of Microsoft’s clash with the FTC over the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, some leaked documents mentioned a project by Bethesda titled Doom: Year One.

Hugo Martin clarified that this project name was a nod to “Batman: Year One,” a comic he and Marty Stratton admired back in 2016. He further explained that The Dark Knight’s influence was significant, stating, “My all-time favorite comic—perhaps unsurprisingly—is Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight. His portrayal of Batman was incredible. Batman was larger than life, immensely strong, and resembled a tank. Everything about his gear screamed power. That’s when I thought, ‘Imagine a Slayer like that—a more imposing, formidable Slayer.'”

After Doom Eternal explored agility and speed to its limits, Martin felt it was time for a new direction. He expressed pride in both Doom Eternal and the original 2016 Doom, acknowledging that each game stands uniquely on its own. Nevertheless, he believed this new approach to Doom Slayer’s power fantasy was worth exploring, both for the team and the players. “We’re constantly fine-tuning that sense of heaviness,” he said. “From the sound of his footsteps to his every action, everything is designed to feel imposing and epic.”

Martin also confided that they’d always envisioned diving into a prequel, with its groundwork subtly embedded in Doom (2016) through the Slayer’s Testaments and additional lore. He mentioned idolizing creatives like George Lucas, who set the standard in the ’80s for crafting depth in storytelling. Martin elaborated, “Crafting a hero’s history opens up avenues for sequels if done right and if there’s enough fan interest.”

The roots of the Slayer’s legend were established early on, sparking hopes within id Software that they’d eventually have the opportunity to explore those narratives. He added, “We were always hopeful that someday, we’d get the chance to tell this story.”

What about you? Are you eager to dive into this thrilling Xbox shooter, channeling a Dark Knight-inspired Doom Slayer to battle demons? We’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to leave a comment below!