One of many rough sketches.
Photobash styleframe.
Visual ID and character key art exploration below. I used the term "Neon Noir" to describe the visual ID of the character key art. WB Games implemented the Nightwing styleframe for the individual character pieces without the "Van Halen" lines.
Initially I wanted the orphans in front of neon signs for a "boots on the ground" feel. I liked the raw and edgy portrayal of the characters within their natural habitat, Gotham. Each character would have a unique neon sign that referenced a character trait. The high ISO film grain was meant to evoke the grittiness of Gotham. I knew it would be a tough sell but it led to the more straightforward neon approach I used in the Nightwing styleframe. Can't go wrong with wet pavement, smoke, fog, rain and neon lights.
Here is a much earlier concept where each orphan is standing on Court of Owls statues. The key art could be cropped to feature a single orphan or used as a full piece with all four characters. Batman standing on top of a gargoyle is quintessential caped crusader, so the intention was to use a similar iconic hook.
Credits/
Client: WB Games
Agency: Rokkan
Concept and Creative Direction: Charles Bae
High Resolution Key Art: Reservoir Creative