Summary
When it comes to villains in gaming,Borderlands 2’s Handsome Jack is a household name. Even gamers who have never spent a second with aBorderlandsgame likely know who Handsome Jack is, and that alone says enough about his reputation as an antagonist. What has madeHandsome Jack so beloved among fansand so recognized in the gaming industry is his charismatic villainy, summed up in his sharp wit, ruthless sarcasm, and dark humor. His constant commentary throughoutBorderlands 2is something to be both amused and appalled by, making him one of gaming’s most compelling antagonists.
Since the death of Handsome Jack inBorderlands 2, a debate has persisted regarding whether theBorderlandsseries should revive him. He did return to the franchise for a brief period duringBorderlands: The Pre-Sequel, but his return there made sense, given the game’s prequel status. However, the reason there is a debate in the first place about Handsome Jack’s return is due to the impact he had on the series as a whole, with him being the main villain of what is widely considered to be the bestBorderlandsgame. If the series were to bring back the iconic villain, though, it would need both a means and a justifiable reason for doing so. As it turns out, the means have already presented themselves, but should the series take the leap and revive Handsome Jack despite the risks?
Should Borderlands Use Ananatium to Resurrect Handsome Jack?
Ananatium Could Be Used to Revive Handsome Jack
The means for reviving Handsome Jack may lie in Ananatium, which was introduced inNew Tales From the Borderlandsas a central part of its story. Ananatium is an incrediblyrare substance in theBorderlandsseriesthat has the ability to interact with dimensional and vault energies. In short, Ananatium is a resource that is capable of bending reality, manipulating energy, and connecting dimensions, so there is reason to believe that it could be used to bring back Handsome Jack.
Firstly, Ananatium’s reality-shaping properties might allow it to completely reconstruct Handsome Jack’s physical form, effectively bringing him back from the dead. Secondly, in light of Ananatium’s connection to the multiverse, it could retrieve another version of Handsome Jack from a different universe. Going this route, however, would potentially meanHandsome Jack is brought backinto the series as an ally, which could lead to a compelling character arc. If not either of these routes, Ananatium could still likely be used to create a sentient version of Jack from psychic imprints, though that direction is less likely.
Despite the possibility Ananatium presents to bring back Handsome Jack in some way, the question remains of whether it would even be good for the series to do so. On the one hand, resurrecting Handsome Jack could appeal to longtime fans of the series while simultaneously offering any newcomers some quality time with one of the series' best characters. However, that might not be enough of anargument in support of bringing back Handsome Jack, as there are some severe downsides that would come with doing so.
Perhaps the biggest downside of bringing Handsome Jack is that it would ultimately undermine the narrative weight of his death. In retrospect, the ending toBorderlands 2, where Handsome Jack dies, would likely lose its impact if he were revived or brought back some other way. There’s also Jack’s legacy to consider, which is arguably stronger than his physical presence. Not only is Jack referenced in almosteveryBorderlandsgame, but the effects of his actions are both seen and felt throughout the series, which is something his physical presence alone is incapable of accomplishing.
In retrospect, the ending toBorderlands 2, where Handsome Jack dies, would likely lose its impact if he were revived or brought back some other way.
Furthermore, Handsome Jack has already been in twoBorderlandsgames, and he is there in spirit in almost every other game. As such, bringing him back might be considered a bit overkill, thereby diminishing his reputation. And finally, resurrecting Handsome Jack ultimately leaves little room for new antagonists to enter the spotlight, likeBorderlands 4’s Timekeeper, for example, as Jack’s presence would inevitably overshadow whoever he shares the stage with. All in all, regardless of what Ananatium is capable of, it shouldn’t be used to bring back Handsome Jack. There are far too many cons to him being brought back, and the series is arguably better with him dead.
