Vernon Blake

Special Agent **Vernon Blake** is a minor character in *Batman: The Enemy Within*. A member of The Agency, he, along with his partner Iman Avesta, were tasked by their superior, Amanda Waller, to track down the Riddler. After being caught by the criminal, Blake's fate can be determined by the choices made by Batman.

## Biography

Vernon Blake's history before arriving in Gotham is currently unknown. However, he had been working for the Agency for some time and was partnered with Iman Avesta to capture the Riddler. It's possible that Blake was one of the people that chased the criminal down to Sudan, but was unable to capture him. Eventually, after learning about the criminal's arrival in Gotham, Blake, along with Waller, Avesta and approximately twenty more agents, followed him, in the hopes that they would finally capture him.

### *Batman: The Enemy Within*

#### The Enigma

**NOTICE:**
The events described are impacted by the player's decisions. This is only a brief summary of the events that take place. Decisions made and their impacts are shown either in *italics* (if a single decision affects the subject) or tabs (if both decisions affect it). If multiple decisions affect it, they are present in either *italics* or a tabber, depending on the effects.
**Spoiler warning: *Plot and/or ending details follow.***
Blake was one of the first agents to arrive on the scene of Riddler's attack on the Virago casino, incapacitating three of the criminal's men with his Stun Pistol. He, along with Avesta, helped Waller gather the men at the casino. When introduced to Batman, he simply just greeted him, but otherwise said nothing during the meeting.

The next morning, Blake and Avesta came to talk to Bruce Wayne about "John Doe", a person of interest in a case that they were working on. As Lucius Fox left to investigate something, Blake took notice of the briefcase he was holding. He and Avesta asked Bruce a series of questions about the time they had been at Arkham. Blake also backed her when she made accusations against the billionaire about being a criminal, due to his ties to so-called "supervillians" like Lady Arkham, Two-Face and the Penguin. When the Evacuation alarm sounded, they left, promising to continue this at another time.

Nearly two weeks later, Blake and Avesta managed to track down the Riddler through the port logs. However, rather than call for back up, they decided to try and capture him, only to be caught by the criminal and placed in a death trap. When Batman tried to rescue them, he was caught after freeing Avesta. With the Riddler eager to test Batman's apparent rule to not kill, asked the vigilante to answer three simple riddles, but doing so would blast the vigilante and Iman with a ultrasonic blast and possibly kill her. Blake was the first agent chosen to be killed if Batman refused to answer or got it wrong. Depending on what Batman chooses to do, the follow will happen.

* Save Avesta
* Save the Agents

If Batman answers either of the first two questions incorrectly or refuses to, Riddler activates activate Blake's trap, killing him. His death is mourned by Avesta and put blame on Commissioner James Gordon.

If Batman chooses to answer the questions correctly, Blake is spared but panics, believing that Avesta's life is in danger. He survives the ordeal and watches as Batman defeats the Riddler. Blake is later freed by the GCPD and the Agency when they storm the ship.

#### The Pact

The following only occurs if Blake survived Riddler's game:
*Blake is present when a series of explosions rock Gotham City. He, along with a number of other agents, also investigate GothCorp. Depending on whether the Agency or GCPD is called, Blake will either come to rescue Batman or meet with him after a conversation with Commissioner Gordon. He will tell the vigilante about her condition and voices his concern that he was responsible for her injuries. Regardless of whether he called Gordon or Waller, he will ask him to work with the Agency closely, implying that they may see consequences from Waller.*

#### Same Stitch

The following happens only if John Doe become the Vigilante Joker.
*After patching himself up, Blake is one of the people Batman can consider calling. However, he is not chosen, due to him either being killed by Riddler or him worrying that he will remain loyal to Waller. If Blake survived, he likely leaves Gotham with Waller and the remaining Agents.*

## Personality

Not much is known about Blake's personality, but he seemed to be very reserved and quiet. He seemed to expect the worst out of other people, even believing that Bruce Wayne would not cooperate when he and Avesta interrogated him. He seemed to have faith in the Agency, following Waller's orders without question and, whilst held captive by the Riddler, believed that they would find him. However, Blake seemed to care about those closest to him and take responsibility for actions, even if they were out of his control.

## Relationships

### Iman Avesta

Blake and Avesta seemed to have a very good relationship. It is unknown if they had been aware of their disillusionment with the Agency or if they shared these beliefs, but it is possible that they were not so close to sharing this information.

### Bruce Wayne/Batman

When Blake and Batman first meet at the casino, they appear to have a neutral relationship and when he and Avesta go to Wayne Tower, he appears to have no particular feelings towards Bruce Wayne. After Batman saves him, he seems to respect him and gives him an update on Avesta's condition. However, if you choose to call Waller, you will alert the vigilante of your actions and tell him to stay on your good side. If Batman created the "Vigilante Joker", it is unknown whether Blake would be willing to arrest the vigilante or help him avoid Waller's wrath.

## Trivia

* His name could be a reference to Robin John Blake, a member of the GCPD in The Dark Knight Rises.
* On the Riddler's computer, Blake is listed as "Patrick Blake". This is either an error made by the criminal, an oversight made by Telltale, or a hint about Blake's name.