A COMPILATION OF ARKHAM CITY CHARACTER TAPES

Following on from the Batman Arkham Asylum character interview tapes. Batman Arkham City also included its own set of interview tapes. These mostly consisted of interviews involving Hugo Strange. Who claimed authority over both the city and the military group unit, TYGER.

Hugo Strange was known to have captured many of his inmates and imprisoned them within Arkham City. Refusing to let them escape and if anyone dared to try, they would then be met with violent consequences.

There is a total of 8 interview tapes this time around. This includes tapes for Catwoman, Joker, Mad Hatter, Mister Freeze, Penguin, Riddler, Two-Face and Zsasz. All of which are unlocked as you continue to collect the 440 Riddler secrets.

CATWOMAN INTERVIEW TAPES

The Batman Arkham City Catwoman interview tapes basically told the tale of how we find Selina getting captured by Two-Face at the start of the game. How she encounter Professor Strange and why she was last seen at the TYGER vault.

TAPE 1

TYGER GUARD: We found the prisoner attempting to break into your office, sir.

HUGO STRANGE: I see. Leave us.

YES, SIR.

CATWOMAN: Well, well, as I live and breathe. Professor Hugo Strange. Your posters don’t really do you justice. You really are far more evil looking in real life.

Charmed. Tell me, what do you plan to do, Miss Kyle? I assume that you were attempting to break into my office in order to retrieve your ill-gotten gains.

You stole them from me.

Hardly. The items were confiscated upon your arrest.

Yeah, about that. This holiday camp of yours is quaint and all, Hugo, but, I don’t think I’ll be staying too long.

Escape is impossible

A girl loves a challenge.

So do I

TAPE 2

Tell me, what would you do if I let you go? Attempt to escape, try and find the confiscated items… contact the Batman?

Why would I contact him. It’s his fault I’m in here.

Is it? I believe you could have escaped if greed had not got the better of you. He was actually in the process of rescuing you, was he not?

I didn’t need his help

Or any man, it seems.

C’mon, you’re going somewhere with this? Spit it out.

I’ve been studying you

I can see. My eyes are up here by the way.

Very amusing. Tell me, what was it like, growing up alone, fending for yourself, doing whatever was necessary to stay alive?

Please. I’m tearing up here.

And Holly? What would you do if I sent my men after her?

Touch her and you’re dead

TAPE 3

Have you calmed down yet?

Where is she?

That depends on your next answer. If you could save one person tonight, who would it be? Holly or the Batman?

He can look after himself.

Good. Holly is safe for now, let us talk about Batman.

What do you think I can tell you that you don’t already know? You’ve been sending your goons after him for months. He said you were studying him.

So you speak. Good. You never knew your father, correct?

Enough, Strange. This is over.

If you say so. Captain, do you have the girl in your sights?

TYGER GUARD: YES, SIR

Kill her

No!

Are you prepared to talk? I thought so. Keep the girl targeted, captain.

You bastard.

Shall we continue?

TAPE 4

Your father did you ever meet him?

Never knew the son of a bitch

Unfortunate, he certainly seems to have made an impact on you. The distrust of men, for example. Your relationship with Batman? would you call it close?

Me and the brooding one get along just fine.

But you want more? But You can’t trust men, can you?

What? Look, he’s spoken for, he must be. How else could he resist all this?

You are both very similar, aren’t you? A shared disregard for the law, a belief that you are doing the right thing, and a similar taste in attire. But beneath the surface there is a weakness.

Like hell

You both risk everything for a chance at redemption. You tell yourself it’s to help her. He does the same for the boy. It’s all just to make his life more complete. To become the father he never knew.

You don’t know anything about him.

And neither do you. He hasn’t confided in you because he doesn’t trust you. And it hurts, doesn’t it?

TAPE 5

I touched a raw nerve, didn’t I?

Are you still here?

You’re hurt because he knows who you are but you don’t know anything about him. Do you… love him?

No!

Holly is safe. I have little interest in the life of a teenage delinquent. Unless, of course, she finds herself in my facility.

What was all this about, Strange? Do you enjoy making people beg?

Not at all. I am only interested in what makes people do what they do. Soon, you will not have to worry about the Batman. Steal what you like, do what you must in a futile attempt to steal his heart. You will fail.

You sound pretty sure of yourself.

Plans are afoot, Miss Kyle. Soon you may wish to re-evaluate your admiration for him. I will be the one standing over his body, and the world will know that Hugo Strange is better than him.

Yeah, whatever.

Two-Face has placed what you are looking for in the safe in his old campaign office. He is someone else who cannot let go of his past. I hope that the contents of that safe make you happy.

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JOKER INTERVIEW TAPES

In Joker’s interview tapes with Hugo Strange he delves into the backstory of when he was the infamous Red Hood. How he became the Joker and what happened to his wife.

JOKER TAPE 1

JOKER: Hello! Anyone in there? No sense of humor. Oh, the strong and silent type, eh? Think you’re safe behind that mask? Give me 20 minutes and a can opener and I’ll have you whimpering like a schoolgirl. You might like it.

HUGO STRANGE: That’s enough, patient. Guard, leave us.

TYGER GUARD: YES, SIR

Good afternoon. My name is Professor Hugo Strange. And you are?

Two-Face. Catwoman. Batman

We can play these games as long as you like.

Great. I love games

Not in my facility you wont. I am offering you this opportunity to make a deal. I am fully aware of your… condition. The last thing you have is time. But I can make your final days more comfortable

And in return I’d be giving you…?

I wish to study you. I need to know why you are the way you are

I don’t have long, doc. You’re going to need more than some psycho mumbo jumbo to get to the bottom of what’s wrong with me.

Oh, I have more than that. Much more. So, do we have a deal?

JOKER TAPE 2

How are you feeling today?

You promised me another doctor, Strange.

Maybe you shouldn’t have killed the one I sent last week. What made you do it?

Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly. Besides, it was worth it to see the look on her face. Hey, you know what, I think I’ve got a piece of it here in my pocket.

You are trying my patience. That was the third doctor you’ve killed

Keep on sendin’ ’em, doc. I’m trying to break my record

I think it is time for you to do something for me

Name it, doc

Tell me how you came to be. Explain what made you what you are today, how you came to be sitting across the table from me, dying.

Is that all? I guess you can say I once had a very bad day.

Really? Go on.

It was a Thursday night. Things had been getting worse. I was 3 days from the bank foreclosing on my home. The chemical plant I worked nights at was about to lay off half the workforce, and I was sitting in the hospital, holding the hand of my pregnant wife. Wishing to God that she wasn’t dead.

That must have been upsetting for you

Probably was. Back then, though, all I knew was that if I didn’t let old man Falcone’s men into the plant that night, they’d a killed me too.
So here’s the thing. I had to decide: Could I live without her? Was there any point going on? I’ve got to admit it. I was scared. Not of being dead, You understand.

No one would blame you if you were. It is perfectly common.

Do I look common?

No, I was scared of the part just before you die. When you don’t know what is about to happen.
When you are desperately clutching at life and trying to hold on with slippery, blood-covered hands.
So I made a decision right there.

And what was that?

That, well, that is a story for another day, Strange. I think I may need to see a doctor. Get me one.

JOKER TAPE 3

You were telling me about the night your wife died

No, Hugo. As I recall. I was waiting for you to send me another doctor

We both know I have sent you three more doctors

Did you?

Yes. One was left dismembered outside the elevator to my office. The other two have not been seen since they were sent to you

How careless. Listen, doc–

Professor

OK. Pro-fess-or, I’ll give you a little more. I hope you’re taking notes.
It’s the day after and I’m standing in the freezing rain, just staring at the chemical plant, feeling numb.

Jeannie was dead, it didn’t seem real. I could remember the day I first met her. Her infectious smile as I told her bad joker after bad joke

How, even after living with the pathetic wretch I was, she still wanted my child. And then they arrived. Reality’s way of yanking me another wedgie.

Falcone’s men told me to cheer up. He said, ”Things could be worse”, I asked him how? He grabbed me by the collar, pulled me close – he’d been eating garlic and each word stank as he threatened to perform oral surgery on me with a nail and a brick. Creative guy.

They hand me a box. I remember thinking it was heavy. Was it a bomb? A gun? I’d never used a gun before, were they that heavy?

And what was in the box?

How’s that doctor coming along?

I’ll get you one

And when you do, I’ll tell you the rest

JOKER TAPE 4

You are looking a little better, yes?

I have good and bad days, but I do try to start each one with a smile

Are you ready to continue your story?

Why not. So where was I?

The box

Ah yes, the box. So there I was, tearing open this box, expecting the worst, and all it had in it was a crazy red dome and a cloak.

I thought they were having a joke with me, but oh, no. They made me put it on. They said it was a disguise. It would keep me safe. It smelt like garlic.

And that was it really. I was dressed up like a spaceman, barely able to see, trying to break into the one place in this town that had given me a job.

Have you ever tried to walk with an enormous fish bowl on your head? Don’t answer that.

It’s hard. I couldn’t see where I was going. I must have tripped one of the alarms. I heard muffled gunfire. I panicked and tried to run. And then I saw him.

Who?

Batman

Really?

Yes, really. Batman tried to hit me. I moved out of the way but, well, what you need to understand is. I had this giant bowl on my head, and I lost my balance.

It’s like life really. One minute everything’s bad, the next, your wife’s dead and your hanging on for dear life, suspended over a tank of experimental chemicals.

I’m sure he’d say he tried to save me, but we all know he didn’t. I fell. For a second, just as I hit the surface. I thought I may just get away with this.

I assume that wasn’t the case

Do I look like I got away with it?

JOKER TAPE 5

I was drowning. The chemicals were burning my skin. My entire body felt like it was on fire and it was all his fault.

Who’s fault? Batman’s?

Who else?

Yours

Come again?

Let me tell you what I believe. I believe that you have fabricated a series of events that you use to conceal the truth about your condition. I have read 12 different accounts of your past. All different, except for one detail: Batman.

What can I say? I like to keep things interesting. A wise man once told me that if you have to have an origin story, you’re better off making it multiple choice.

And never facing up to the truth of what happened. What you did. How you got there

Oh, I know exactly how I got here. A big truck brought me here from Arkham. You remember the asylum, don’t you?

Of course

Good, because I’d hate to think that I’d fabricated seeing you watching me in my cell all those times.

Excuse me?

Hugo, you merry maniac. You were obsessed with me. You all were. Trying to get in here.
Next thing you’ll tell me it wasn’t you who sent old Sharpie over the edge. Nice work by the way.

Thank you

So here’s the thing. If you want to make sure that no one else finds out about your past, you should stop poking your nose into mine. Oh, and send me another Doc, doc. I think I need a second opinion.

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MAD HATTER INTERVIEW TAPES

The Mad Hatter interview tapes delve into Jervis and his obsession with Alice. His deceased sister. Meanwhile Hugo tries to take advantage of this obsession in order to achieve his own goals.

To unlock these tapes you are required to complete the Mad Hatter side quest. Which is a small optional mission and is not tied to the main story.

MAD HATTER TAPE 1

HUGO STRANGE: Patient interview one. Subject’s name, Jervis Tetch. A.K.A, The Mad Hatter. Brought to Arkham Asylum by the Batman six months ago.

Patient exhibits signs of obsessive compulsion and paranoid schizophrenia.

Sit down, Mr Tetch.

MAD HATTER: No time to sit. I need Alice. Where is my Alice?

Please

No time to sit, not time to chat. I’m searching for Alice and I’ve lost my hat.

Guard. Restrain Mr Tetch.

Get off me. I’m late. I’m running out of time. Alice. Where are you?

Alice isn’t here yet. Just relax, Jervis. She will be here soon.

But–

I promise. Now. Would you like some tea?

MAD HATTER TAPE 2

Is Alice here yet?

No, I’m afraid not. Let us talk while we wait. You and I have much in common, Jervis.

Really? Do you know Alice too?

Unfortunately not. You and I both share an interest in the mind, do we not? I studied your papers, Jervis. You were quite brilliant. Truly, an extraordinary mind.

It doesn’t matter. It’s all just chemicals and synapses and rabbits and where is Alice?

You need to focus. Think about your work for a minute. You theorized that there is no such thing as free will.

That you can change a man’s allegiances, his motives, emotions, all of what we believe makes a man, with chemicals. Your formula was really quite brilliant. That’s why I used it.

How did you get it? Did Alice give it to you? Wicked girl! Nasty little thing! Is she here yet?

Soon, Jervis. Soon.

MAD HATTER TAPE 3

Where is she? Oh, you told me that Alice would be here.

She is, Jervis. She’s right here.

Alice? Alice, come out, don’t pout, don’t make me shout. Alice, come out, where are you?

Take a look at the pictures, Jervis

Who are these people?

Look again

I don’t know who they are. Please, is Alice here or not?

Look at the first picture. Look at the dress she is wearing. Look at the hair. It’s Alice, isn’t it?

No, no, no. It can’t be Alice. Alice has nice yellow hair and.. and isn’t covered in blood.

I think you know exactly who this is, Mister Tetch. I think you remember the night that you lured Stephanie Williams back to your research lab. How you offered her tea. What happened then?

No, No, no!

You killed her, didn’t you? She was the first. It’s OK, Jervis. It’s alright to remember. How many Alices were there?

I can’t remember.

MAD HATTER TAPE 4

Alice isn’t coming, is she?

That all depends on how you cooperate. I have a little.. Side project that I am working on. I could use your help.

My help? I can’t help I’ll be late.

Stay focused, Jervis. This facility is old, tired. Full of ghosts

Ghosts?

A figure of speech. Do not worry. Arkham Asylum will not exist forever. It’s techniques are old, its mission outdated. I intend to create a New Arkham, an Arkham that will rise phoenix-like from the ashes of this one.

Is there a fire? We should get out of here

I have arranged for some documents to be left in your cell. They outline a technique I propose to control the mind of, shall we just say, weaker souls.

I cannot do it without rabbits. I need rabbits for my research. And tea. And–

And Alice, I know. I have arranged for a number of test subjects to be at your disposal. They have been here at Arkham for so many years that no one will miss them. Shall we meet again next week? Oh, and I took the liberty of having your hats returned. I assumed that will provide all the encouragement you require.

MAD HATTER TAPE 5

Well done, well done. I must say you have outperformed even my wildest expectations.

Did you see the people at my tea party? They all behaved themselves.

Yes they did, Jervis. I am very pleased. I have just one last request to make of you. You must keep it a secret. Can you keep a secret, Jervis?

With enough hats I can stop people remembering secrets. Does that count?

It will have to. I need you to pay a visit to Warden Sharp. He needs to come around to my way of thinking.

To join our tea party?

Exactly

I don’t want to

Of course you do. How else will you get to play with Alice?

What?

I have a new assistant for you, Jervis. I had her nrought in specially. Look at her. She’s just through there.

It’s Alice. She’s here. No, no, no. What are you doing? I need to see her.

And you can, as soon as you do what I asked

Can I keep her?

Of course, she’ll be all yours. She’s Alice.

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MISTER FREEZE INTERVIEW TAPES

Here we have the interview tapes for Victor Freeze, otherwise known as Mister Freeze. The ‘walking ice box’. In these tapes we delve into Victor’s past, his interest in cryokinetics and, of course, his love of Nora. His wife.

MISTER FREEZE TAPE 1

TYGER GUARD: Prisoner’s here, sir.

Hugo Strange: Very good. Send him in.

But we haven’t got the suit off him yet. He’s dangerous. Are you sure?

Of course. Victor Fries and I have much in common. We will be fine.

(In steps Mister Freeze)

Welcome to my facility. Please take a seat.

Mister Freeze: I prefer to stand. Why am I here?

Oh, Victor, there will be plenty of time for that later. Right now I wish to get to know you. Discover how you came to have such a … frosty outlook on life.

I have nothing to say to you. You may have taken my weapons, but my suit still has considerable offensive capabilities.
I will freeze the marrow in your legs. Each bone will shatter and fracture while you remain completely aware of your impending paralysis, begging me to end you.

I don’t think that you will do that, Victor.

Really. Why not?

Simple. If you hurt me, your wife will die.

MISTER FREEZE TAPE 2

Where is she? Where is my wife?

Nora is in safe hands. Now, let’s discuss an incident from your childhood….

No.

Then this is over. Guard!

Wait! What do you wish to learn?

Your early years were troubled.

I was not a sociable child, but that is all.

Even your parents disowned you. They sent you away to a reform school, correct?

They did not understand my work

Your work? According to a police report, you froze over a dozen of your neighbors’ pets.

I’ve always had an interest in cryonic preservation. I didn’t understand why my parents allowed our sick pets to die instead of attempting to save them.
So I set about finding my own way. I intended to revive all those creatures.

But you didn’t. Which brings us to Nora.

MISTER FREEZE TAPE 3

Have you ever seen a flower die? Watched something that was once so beautiful, so full of life, collapse and rot from within..

You refer to Nora’s illness?

It seems like yesterday when I first found her. It all happened so quickly. Suddenly, I was losing her.

Did you seek help? What about your employer, GothCorp?

I hid it from them, diverting resources from GothCorp’s research in an attempt to find the cure, but in the end, I failed. Time was running out. I knew that if I was discovered, Nora would die.

Why take that risk?

Do you know what it is to love someone? To really love them?

No

Nora was all I could think of. I re-ran the diagnostics, re-examined every detail from every angle, certain that I had missed something. I cursed myself for being so blind, so stupid. Surely there was a cure, I just needed more time. Then I realized what I had to do.

MISTER FREEZE TAPE 4

I had worked without sleep for a week. My needs didn’t seem important. Sleep didn’t matter. Food didn’t matter. There was only her. I looked at Nora and I told her that I loved her. She told me there was nothing I could do, that I… we should just accept fate. She smiled her beautiful smile as she said it. I promised to cure her. And then I pressed the button.

You cryogentically froze her. Keeping her on ice, so to speak, while you worked on a cure. It broke your heart but now you had all the time in the world. Did you feel relieved?

I went home and fell into a deep sleep. For the first time since we discovered Nora’s illness, I dared to dream. But.. For weeks I had ignored my superiors’ attempts to contact me. The next morning, I overslept.
And by the time I got to the lab, Ferris Boyle, the CEO, was there waiting.

What did he do?

He accused me of industrial espionage, which I denied, but then his guards found Nora.
Boyle told me that, like all of my ‘research’, she belonged to him. I was enraged. I attacked him, but his guards beat me back and in the struggle, I was drenched by the cryogenic chemical I had created.
I lay on the floor helpless watching the guards steal Nora away. Boyle told me it was a tragedy for such a promising mind to perish in a lab accident. Then he left me to die.

But you survived.

The chemicals absorbed into my body and… transformed my metabolism. My body went numb. I felt a strange tingling, then searing pain all over.
Each breath ignited my lungs. I clawed my way back to a refrigeration unit and as I closed the door behind me, I felt the icy chill calm my aching body. Things suddenly seemed clear.

What seemed clear? Finding a cure for Nora?

No. Revenge. Boyle would pay.

MISTER FREEZE TAPE 5

You failed to kill Ferris Boyle, though, didn’t you?

Yes

Why?

You know why, Batman. Though he did return Nora to safety- until you got her.

See, there you go. Blame me. Blame your parents because you failed to revive the neighbor’s pets.
Blame Ferris Boyle for spoiling your plans to cure Nora. Blame Batman for stopping your revenge against Boyle. And now your Nora is in danger..

Because of you

No, Victor. Because of you. You have always had a heart of ice. You stole peoples’ pets, you stole GothCorp resources, and since then you’ve stolen so much more of your own selfish, scientific inquiries.
If you had shared your genius with others, devoted your energy to medicine instead of crime, perhaps your ice princess would be at home now preparing you a hot meal – instead of being delivered to the Joker.

No..

You could have saved Nora a long time ago, Victor.

It’s all for her. Everything. I will get her back. And when I do, I’m coming for you.

Thank you. We are done now.

Nora.

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PENGUIN INTERVIEW TAPES

PENGUIN TAPE 1

Penguin: I’m only doing this as a courtesy, Strange. Don’t think you’ve beaten me.

Hugo Strange: I just thought we could both benefit from a little talk, Mr. Cobblepot.

Don’t try that psycho mumbo jumbo with me, Strange. I’m not like the other crazies.

Of course not, after all, considering the… challenges you’ve faced.

Challenges? What freakin’ challenges? You’re not better than me. No one is. I own this place.

Well, to be clear. I allow you certain freedoms, but let’s continue. Why do you feel the need to own anything. I believe it is a mechanism to compensate for some childhood inadequacy. You were friends with the Waynes, correct?

I was, ’till someone did the world a favor and blew the brains out of little Wayne’s self-righteous parents. I was laughing for weeks. It still brings a smile to my face.

And you think that’s OK?

OK? No, I don’t think it’s OK. I think it’s bloody hysterical. That family destroyed mine. What happen to them, well, it couldn’t of happen to nicer people

PENGUIN TAPE 2

Take a seat, Mr. Cobblepot

What is it now, Strange?

I wanted to talk about your apparent hatred of the Waynes. Your outburst last time was most interesting

It’s simple, really. I don’t like the snivelling little bastard. Look at him. All high and mighty because someone killed mummy and daddy

Most people look upon him with sympathy

No they don’t. They’re jealous. Jealous of his money, his cars, his woman. He lost the sympathy vote when he vanished for all those years. I can’t tell you how much I hoped he was visiting his dear mom and dad

Where do you suppose he went?

How am I suppose to know?

Let us move on then

No. It’s time that you do something for me.

And what is that?

Here’s a list

PENGUIN TAPE 3

I thought I told you, Strange, no more little questions until you give me what I want.

Take a look, Mr. Cobblepot. Here is a purchase order for the various firearms you require. I must say, you chose an exotic selection.

I only take the best.

A wise strategy

So, what’s yours?

Excuse me?

What are you up to? Why would you give me, me of all people, guns, explosives.. all this stuff?

Arkham City is an experiment, Mr. Cobblepot, a new way of thinking.
We’ve separated you from society so I am more than willing to study the results if you all just decide to kill each other. Besides, your feud with the Joker is intriguing.

I was here first, I bought my museum and the Iceberg Lounge fair and square. It was you and that mayor who stuck us all together.

Again, you refer to owning things, quite fascinating. I believe we gave you the opportunity to leave.

And take over my turf? Never.

PENGUIN TAPE 4

Good evening Mr. Cobblepot. I trust you received the second delivery

Yeah, I did. I don’t know what you did to those dribbling monkeys, Strange, but they were perfect.

I’m glad. It appears that we can both help each other

If you say so. I suppose it doesn’t hurt that by the time I’m done with ’em they’re usually in too many pieces for anyone to suspect what you are really getting up to in those rooms of yours.

I have no idea what you are talking about.

Of course not. So, Hugo, the clown, is he really dying?

It appears so. Self-inflicted, of course, but yes he is. He has Mister Freeze working on a potential cure, but I am sure neither of us want him to get his hands on it, do we?

PENGUIN TAPE 5

We’re ready

Good. Now, one last thing. Your face

It’s beautiful, isn’t it?

The eye? I believe it was the result of a bar brawl, correct?

The toe-rag got lucky. He got his though. He took my eye. I took both of his, left him trying to walk across the Gotham Freeway at rush hour. Hilarious.

You’re a rich man, Mr. Cobblepot. You could have had that glass removed.

They said it was impossible and what the hell, I think it gives me a… more unique look. Know what I mean? Now, where is Freeze?

He’s right here, in the room next door. You can take him with you. Are you familiar with the term Napoleon complex?

No. What is it?

It’s nothing. Oh, and one last thing. Here is a list of ten prisoners I believe work for you.

Yeah, so what? Do you want to saw their heads open and scoop out their brains too?

No. I just thought you’d like to know that they are all in the employ of the GCPD

What?

I believe you know what to do to them. I don’t like being spied on, Mr. Cobblepot. Goodnight.