In the late 1960s, Batman was portrayed on television by Adam West, a role that has gone on to define how many people imagine the caped crusader despite it being a much campier take compared to the character’s grim and serious appearances today. While West passed away in 2017, his legacy is still prevalent in games likeFortnite, which apparently includes a reference to this iteration ofBatmanin itsrecently released Season 3: Splashdown.
Players have discovered a new achievement available inFortnitecalled “Shark Repellent” that unlocks when they deal 1,966 damage to the loot sharks that were added in the latest Season update as a means of transportation across the flooded map. For those who aren’t in the know, this is a reference to the Batman Shark Repellent Spray that West pulls off his utility belt in the series' 1966 movie, which itself is also areference to a Batman comic from 1958.
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This achievement is an unexpected, but tasteful homage to the beloved actor and his superhero adaptation that rose to popularity well before the modern craze of films and cinematic universes. Though that being said, it is not the first time thatFortnitehas tied itself to DC Comics properties, and the DCEU’sAquaman is a headlining piece of Season 3’s new underwater-themed content.
Batman and his rogue’s gallery are also no strangers to Epic Games' popular battle royale. ABatmanFortnitecrossover eventtook place in 2019 that added multiple skins for the Dark Knight and Catwoman, while earlier this year a skin based on Harley Quinn was released to celebrate the release ofBirds of Prey. Marvel has also gotten time in the spotlight, with events based on Deadpool and the MCU’sAvengers: Infinity War.
Marvel and DC Comics are not the only pieces of popular culture that have squeezed their way intoFortnite;there are other references hidden in materials surrounding Season 3. The official launch trailer for this season includes areference toMortal Kombat’s Johnny Cageand his iconic uppercut decapitation Fatality.
Of all these references and crossovers, the Adam West tribute in Season 3’s achievement list is probably the most endearing, especially for those who remember the old show fondly. As the season continues, players will no doubt keep an eagle eye out to find whatever elseFortnitehas hiding in plain sight.
Fortniteis available now on Android, iOS, PC, PlayStation 4, Switch, and Xbox One.
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