It feels like an eternity until May 17th when Rockstar releases L.A. Noire, which looks like a brilliant mash-up between Grand Theft Auto and L.A. Confidential.  But even when May 17th comes and goes, there will be a new eternity in place: the wait until Batman: Arkham City.  The game is set for release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on October 18th so mark your calendars.

We've also been sent three new images from the game, because the wait isn't painful enough already.  Hit the jump to check out the images.

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Here's the press release:

Highly Anticipated Batman: Arkham City™ Launches in Stores Beginning October 18

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced that the highly anticipated videogame Batman: Arkham City™ will step out of the shadows and onto store shelves in North America beginning October 18, in Australia beginning October 19 and in Europe and other global territories beginning October 21, for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games for Windows PC and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.  Developed by Rocksteady Studios, Batman: Arkham City is the follow-up to the award-winning hit video game Batman: Arkham Asylum™ and delivers an authentic and gritty Batman experience.

Batman: Arkham City builds upon the intense, atmospheric foundation of Batman: Arkham Asylum, sending players soaring into Arkham City – five times larger than the game world in Batman: Arkham Asylum – and the new maximum security “home” for all of Gotham City’s thugs, gangsters and insane criminal masterminds. Set inside the heavily fortified walls of a sprawling district in the heart of Gotham City, this highly anticipated sequel introduces a brand-new story that draws together a new, all-star cast of classic characters and murderous villains from the Batman universe, as well as a vast range of new and enhanced gameplay features to deliver the ultimate experience as the Dark Knight.

Batman: Arkham City is based on DC Comics’ core Batman license. Fans can visit www.batmanarkhamcity.com to sign up to receive updates regarding the game and join the discussion on the recently launched community site at http://community.batmanarkhamcity.com to participate in forums, read upcoming developer diaries and stay abreast of all the latest Batman: Arkham City news.