The opening of Batman: Arkham Asylum aims to set a serious tone for the game and is already surprisingly polished for still being a year out. The story begins on a dark and stormy night with the Batmobile tearing through deserted city streets. Batman's ride roars like a jet engine, kicking up a storm of fallen leaves and discarded newspaper as it passes a sign for Arkham Asylum that reads: "Warning: hitchhikers may be escaping patients."

The camera pans up Batman as the strobe of streetlights flash on his cowl, showing an expression of clam determination in contrast to the maniacal driving style. A couple of Arkham guards hear the familiar engine rumbling off in the distance and scramble to open the gate. The Batmobile flashes through the recently made opening. An older man in a suit and a cadre of guards stand out front amid the flood of spotlights, awaiting a special delivery. The Batmobile screeches to a halt and a familiar pointed silhouette emerges out of the top. Batman drags a handcuffed Joker along the ground.

"Hey, Sharpy. What's the deal?" the Joker mocks as he's being loaded into an upright gurney straight out of Silence of the Lambs. "The old mansion was much more civilized.

"It's Warden Sharp," says the head of Arkham. "Get him out of here."

"Hey, not so tight. You'll crease the suit," Joker complains as he's being strapped in.

"There aren't enough guards. I'm going with him," Batman demands. No one seems to mind. Here the player takes control of Batman and follows joker deep into Arkham's intensive treatment ward as he taunts security and medical staff. The group comes upon a large freight elevator.

"Hold it! We've got another psycho coming through," shouts a guard. "Keep your weapons trained on it at all times."

A monstrous green form is crammed inside the elevator as it arrives from below. Killer Croc steps out and stretches to his full height of 10 feet.

"I've got your scent, Batman. I'm going to find you," threatens Croc as he lumbers off.

"That reminds me. I really need some new shoes," add Joker.

The security entourage shuffles into the newly vacant elevator and it quickly descends. All of a sudden, the lights cut out, Joker starts laughing maniacally.

"What's he doing?!" a guard yells. "Get a light on him!" After a tense moment of panic in complete darkness, the light flicker on. Batman is calmly clutching Joker by the throat with one hand. The guards breathe a sigh of relief.

"What? Don't you trust me?" Joker taunts as he's wheeled off the elevator. The groups meets up with Commisioner Gordon and more Arkham staff. Batman moves to follow them into the cellblock, but an asylum doctor cuts him off.

"Authorized personnel only," he says.

Gordon tries to convince him. "I assure you. If anyone is qualified..."

"I appreciate the assistance, but he'll unsettle the more violent inmates," the doctor replies.

"I think he's talking about you," Joker mocks. Batman relents and joins Gordon in a glass encased observation room that overlooks the check-in room.

"You okay?" Gordon asks.

"He surrendered almost without a fight. I don't like it," Batman replies.

"At least he's back where he belongs."

No sooner does Gordon finish speaking than Joker shouts "Hey Batman. Stop me if you've heard this one."

Joker somehow slips out of his bonds and quickly dispatches his captors, cackling as he runs deeper into the facility. Batman instantly springs into action, punching the observation window, causing a spider web of cracks to extend through the glass. It shatters on the second pinch and he uses his cape to glide safely to the floor below. Batman tries to head down the hallway that Joker escaped through, but an electric barrier springs up and Joker's gang comes out of the woodwork. Batman quickly dispatches them as the alarm sirens kick in.

"Welcome to the madhouse, Batman," Joker says over the asylum video screens. The electric field is deactivated and Batman has no choice but to walk right into what is surely a trap. Why would Joker purposely break into Arkham? The answer lies in one of the asylum's darkest secrets.