Just days after Game Informer revealed their cover story exclusive for Eidos' Batman: Arkham Asylum, here we have our first screens, and the words "totally badass" come to mind.

The images confirm the game's "dark" and "gritty" feel, with an angry looking and ripped Batman pounding filthy thugs' faces in with his dirty bat-gloves. The game is said to feature a number of Batman's most notorious villains, and we can see at least two of them in these screens -- The Joker and an interesting choice, the less-popular -- but completely terrifying -- Killer Croc. The dude was born with a rare condition that made him look like a crocodile for Pete's sake.

The Rocksteady Studios developed Batman: Arkham Asylum is a wholly original game set in the DC universe that sees a routine prison transfer going south, forcing Batman to come in and clean up the mess. The title will mix action with puzzle-solving/detective work, and is being developed for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. 

The official press release announcement can be found after the jump.

EIDOS INTERACTIVE AND WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM

A Haunting, Action Detective Game For the Xbox 360® Video Game and Entertainment System from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 Computer Entertainment System and Games for Windows

Eidos Interactive and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on behalf of DC Comics announce Batman: Arkham Asylum a dark, action packed videogame adventure for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows in 2009.

In Batman: Arkham Asylum, developed by Rocksteady Studios, the player assumes the role of Batman as he delivers The Joker to Arkham Asylum. There, the imprisoned super-villains have set a trap and an immersive combat gaming experience unfolds. With an original script penned by Emmy Award-winning Batman writer Paul Dini, the game brings the universe of DC Comics’ detective to life with stunning graphics.

“In Batman: Arkham Asylum Eidos and Warner Bros. are building a true action adventure game experience worthy of gamers and fans,” said Phil Rogers, CEO of Eidos Interactive. “Players become Batman, like he has never been seen before in a video game, as he fights through intense circumstances in Arkham Asylum utilizing his intuitive detective skills and aggressive melee attacks.”

“Batman: Arkham Asylum offers players the chance to battle Gotham’s worst villains with Batman’s physical and psychological strength in a graphically distinct and story-driven game,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “We look forward to working with Eidos on expanding DC Comics’ world-renowned character Batman in the game space with a noticeably different feature set in an incredibly dark interactive environment.”

Eidos Interactive and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will co-publish Batman: Arkham Asylum in North America, Eidos Interactive will publish the game in all other territories.