Batman: Arkham City features one of the most clever Easter eggs in modern gaming history centered around Julian Day, better known as Calendar Man. Locked deep inside the basement cell of the Solomon Wayne Courthouse, this eerie villain offers unique dialogue on twelve specific real-world holidays throughout the year. Players who take the time to visit him on these designated dates unlock exclusive stories about his past crimes and earn a special achievement.
Locating Calendar Man and How the Encounters Work
To find Calendar Man, Batman must enter the Solomon Wayne Courthouse, located in the Park Row district of Arkham City. Heading down into the building's basement reveals a secure holding cell where the villain is trapped behind reinforced glass. A calendar hanging on the wall right beside his cell displays twelve circled dates that correspond to major holidays.
Interacting with Calendar Man on one of these specific days triggers a unique, chilling story recounting a murderous crime tied to that holiday. Once he finishes speaking, the game automatically saves, and the corresponding date on the wall calendar gets crossed off. Players can complete these visits naturally over a full year or adjust their system clock offline to speed up the process.
The Twelve Required Dates for Calendar Man
Unlocking all encounters requires interacting with Calendar Man on twelve primary holiday dates spanning the entire calendar year. The spring and summer dates begin with New Year's Day on January 1st, Valentine's Day on February 14th, St. Patrick's Day on March 17th, and April Fool's Day on April 1st. These are followed by Mother's Day, Father's Day, Independence Day on July 4th, and the Feast Day of St. Roch on August 16th.
The remaining autumn and winter dates cover Labor Day, Halloween on October 31st, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day on December 25th. Because variable holidays like Mother's Day or Thanksgiving shift each calendar year, setting system settings to 2011 or 2012 ensures the dates align perfectly. Speaking to Calendar Man on all twelve occasions fulfills the complete narrative cycle.
Rewards for Completing All Calendar Encounters
Completing all twelve holiday conversations rewards players with the coveted Storyteller achievement or trophy. This reward is particularly sought after by completionists due to the patience and attention to detail required to trigger every scene. It stands out as one of the most distinctive trophies in the entire Arkham series.
Beyond the trophy reward, finishing the sequence leads to a striking narrative outcome inside the courthouse basement. When Batman returns to the cell after crossing off every date, Calendar Man is nowhere to be found. In his place hangs a defeated Two-Face henchman, leaving players with a terrifying final reminder of his escape.
Secret Easter Eggs and Special Dialogue
In addition to the standard twelve holidays, Rocksteady Studios included hidden Easter eggs tied to Calendar Man's cell. If players set their console date to December 13, 2004—the official founding date of Rocksteady Studios—Calendar Man delivers a cryptic speech about his presence at Batman's beginning and end. This secret dialogue famously teased future events years before subsequent games in the franchise were released.
This dynamic interaction highlights the extraordinary narrative depth built into the world of Arkham City. Managing the encounters provides a unique gameplay loop that rewards dedicated fans who explore every corner of the game. Understanding these mechanics ensures players can comfortably complete the Storyteller achievement without missing crucial lore details.
