Jump to content

Batman: Caped Crusader

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with the 1988 video game Batman: The Caped Crusader or the 2016 animated film Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders.

Batman: Caped Crusader
Genre
Based on
Developed byBruce Timm
ShowrunnerBruce Timm
Voices of
Music byFrederik Wiedmann
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Adamma Ebo
  • Adanne Ebo
  • Gabriel Strick
EditorMarc Stone
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkAmazon Prime Video
ReleaseAugust 1, 2024 (2024-08-01) –
present (present)
Related

Batman: Caped Crusader is an American animated television series based on the DC Comics character Batman. The series is developed by Bruce Timm, and produced by Bad Robot Productions, 6th & Idaho Motion Picture Company, Warner Bros. Animation, and DC Studios. Premiered on August 1, 2024, on Amazon Prime Video, the show offers a noir-inspired reimagining of the Batman mythos, focusing on a young Bruce Wayne during the early stages of his crime-fighting career in Gotham City, drawing inspiration from Batman stories of the 1940s and 1960s.

Starring Hamish Linklater as the voice of the titular character, the series explores themes of corruption and crime in a stylized, period setting. The project was first announced in May 2021 and has been noted for its serialized storytelling and deep psychological exploration of its characters. Critics have praised its mature tone and complex portrayal of the superhero, setting it apart from previous adaptations.

Premise

[edit]

Batman: Caped Crusader reimagines the Batman mythos with a focus on the detective noir aspects of the character. Set in a dark, forbidding Gotham City,[1] inspired by Batman stories from the 1940s and 1960s,[2] the series presents a young Bruce Wayne in the early stages of his crime-fighting career. It explores his struggle against the city's rampant corruption and crime, including a corrupt police force and a city riddled with gang warfare. Unlike previous iterations, Batman: Caped Crusader emphasizes a grim, moody tone, with Batman often taking a back seat as other characters, including new interpretations of classic villains like Catwoman and Clayface, and allies like Barbara Gordon. take on more prominent roles.[1][2] The series is noted for its serialized storytelling, focusing on episodic detective cases that build up to a larger narrative over the season. The show showcases a more grounded and less flamboyant take on its characters while integrating new and diverse spins on classic roles.[1][2]

Voice cast

[edit]

Main

[edit]

Supporting

[edit]

Guest

[edit]

Joe Chill and the Joker make cameo appearances in the episodes "Kiss of the Catwoman" and "Savage Night", respectively, with the latter being voiced by an uncredited actor.

Episodes

[edit]
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"In Treacherous Waters"Christina SottaStory by :

Teleplay by : Jase Ricci		August 1, 2024 (2024-08-01)
Oswalda Cobblepot, owner and singer of the Iceberg Lounge, has been making a name for herself in Gotham City's criminal underworld as the "Penguin" while trying to eliminate her mob boss rival Rupert Thorne by destroying his organization's warehouses. However, Thorne survives with help from a leak in her circle. Believing it is her youngest son Aaron, Oswalda kills him. However, her eldest son and the real source, Ronald, seeks out Gotham City Police Department (GCPD) Commissioner Jim Gordon for protection. With help from Jim's daughter Barbara Gordon and a mysterious vigilante called the "Batman", Ronald safely reaches the GCPD, but Oswalda launches a missile to destroy the police station. Unbeknownst to her, the station is evacuated before it is destroyed. Batman successfully captures Oswalda, but realizes later that in doing so, he left a power vacuum in Gotham's underworld for Thorne to fill.
2"...And Be a Villain"Matt PetersGreg RuckaAugust 1, 2024 (2024-08-01)
GCPD detective Renee Montoya is assigned to locate missing actress Yvonne Frances. Following a failed interrogation of Bruce Wayne, she investigates the film studio, where she learns Frances' fellow actor Basil Karlo may have been lying about his alibi. However, he is seemingly murdered before she can confirm. Upon further investigation, she learns Karlo was ashamed of his face, which led to him being typecasted and Frances rejecting his advances. Ultimately, he used an experimental serum to make his face more malleable. Montoya and Batman eventually stumble across Karlo, who faked his death and kidnapped Frances out of a desire to play a villain for real. Montoya and Batman defeat Karlo and rescue Frances, though Batman disappears before Montoya can apprehend him.
3"Kiss of the Catwoman"Christopher BerkeleyStory by :

Teleplay by :
  • Adamma Ebo
  • Adanne Ebo
August 1, 2024 (2024-08-01)
At a museum displaying the Gotham elite's jewels, Bruce encounters an heiress named Selina Kyle, who has an interest in his late mother Martha Wayne's pearls. He is later ordered to attend a month of therapy with Dr. Harleen Quinzel after assaulting a patron who insulted his parents. Meanwhile, Kyle resorts to jewel theft after being left in debt, adopting the "Catwoman" persona. After being caught and outed by Batman, she takes inspiration from him by upgrading her car and using gadgets before Gotham's District Attorney Harvey Dent bails her out, allowing her to resume her crime spree. Deducing Kyle will try and steal Martha's pearls, Bruce orders the museum to close early to lure in Catwoman, who is eventually caught once more and left destitute upon learning her maid Greta sold her belongings and refuses to bail her out.
4"The Night of the Hunters"Christina SottaEd BrubakerAugust 1, 2024 (2024-08-01)
After Mayor Jessop orders the creation of a task force to apprehend Batman, Gordon chooses Montoya to run it. Using Dr. Quinzel's insights, corrupt GCPD detectives Harvey Bullock and Arnold Flass use a masked criminal called Firebug as bait to lure out Batman. As part of their plan, they let Firebug go to start a fire. Batman arrives to rescue civilians, evading corrupt SWAT officers led by Bullock and Flass in the process. As Bullock and Flass kill Firebug to cover their tracks, Batman reluctantly works with Jim, who disapproves of the task force's methods, to save the remaining civilians. Afterward, Batman disappears once more, Bullock and Flass are hailed as heroes by Jessop, and put in charge of the Batman task force, with Jim narrowly keeping his job.
5"The Stress of Her Regard"Matt PetersHalley GrossAugust 1, 2024 (2024-08-01)
After several insane criminals go missing, Barbara suspects that they might be patients of her friend, Dr. Quinzel, who is attempting to date Montoya. In reality, Quinzel has adopted the jester-like persona of Harley Quinn and subjecting the criminals to immense torture in an attempt to correct their minds. Barbara and Batman track her to the basement of one of her patients, where the latter is overpowered and knocked unconscious before the house is rigged to detonate. Nonetheless, Batman recovers and saves Barbara, who suspects that Quinzel fell to her death. Having survived, Quinzel calls Montoya to call off their date and tell her that she is temporarily leaving Gotham.
6"Night Ride"Christopher BerkeleyMarc BernardinAugust 1, 2024 (2024-08-01)
When a mysterious ghost on horseback emerges to rob Gotham's working class, Dent's mayoral election campaign is threatened due to the robberies happening on his watch. He is offered a donation from Thorne, but is hesitant to accept it. Meanwhile, Batman struggles to fight the ghost directly. Deducing that it is the spirit of Jim Craddock, the gambling-addicted former owner of an old property that Bruce's friend Lucius Fox recently bought, he gains help from Linton Midnite, who advises him to sacrifice the old property's deed and the blood of a nobleman to draw out Craddock. Though Craddock possesses Batman's butler, Alfred Pennyworth, Batman completes the ritual using Alfred's blood and traps Craddock in a vial. He subsequently gives it to Midnite while Dent accepts Thorne's donation.
7"Moving Target"Christina Sotta
  • Adamma Ebo
  • Adanne Ebo
August 1, 2024 (2024-08-01)
Jim fears that someone put a bounty on his head after assassins such as Floyd Lawton and Onomatopoeia come to Gotham and the former almost succeeds at killing him. He reluctantly agrees to be escorted to a safehouse at Wayne Gardens, but Onomatopoeia's group finds them. Meanwhile, Batman learns the hit was placed by a Blackgate Penitentiary inmate named Muller and follows Jim's detail. Narrowly fending off the assassins, Batman reveals to Jim while getting the contract cancelled, he discovered Barbara is the true target. Officer Jim Corrigan attempts to claim the bounty for himself, but is disarmed by Jim and arrested. Muller later reveals he ordered the hit because he feels he deserves better prison accommodations.
8"Nocturne"Matt PetersHalley GrossAugust 1, 2024 (2024-08-01)
Amidst a fundraiser carnival for Dent's campaign, multiple orphans are reported missing. Batman soon finds the culprit, Natalia Night, the younger sister of inventor Anton Night who suffers from a mysterious ailment that can only be staved off by draining energy from people, which grants her enhanced strength. After falling out with and attacking Anton for his perceived controlling behavior, Natalia continues her attacks until she is intercepted by Batman. After making her realize she accidentally killed Anton, who begged Batman to stop her before he died, Batman takes Natalia to safety while her victims are taken to a hospital to recover. Meanwhile, Dent meets with Thorne to accept his donation, but refuses to accept his condition of dropping charges against Thorne's friend. In retaliation, Thorne's second throws a flask of acid at Dent's face.
9"The Killer Inside Me"Christopher BerkeleyJase RicciAugust 1, 2024 (2024-08-01)
In the aftermath of his assault, Dent loses his mayoral bid and is left with half of his face permanently scarred, which he grows insecure about. Bruce attempts to cheer him up with a night on the town, but a paranoid Dent has an outburst in a restaurant. Alfred scolds Bruce for his poor attempt at getting through to him. Craving justice against those who wronged him, Dent goes on a violent spree throughout Gotham, taking out several of Thorne's men, though Batman intervenes before he can hurt Thorne himself. Guilt-ridden, Dent snaps out of his rage and willingly goes to Arkham Asylum, where he discovers Barbara signed on to become his lawyer.
10"Savage Night"Christina SottaEd BrubakerAugust 1, 2024 (2024-08-01)
Barbara explains to Dent that she is willing to help him, insisting that he was led astray. Meanwhile, Thorne's men, Bullock, and Flass seek revenge on Dent, prompting Barbara and Batman to establish a form of contact between each other and join forces with each other, Jim, and Montoya to protect him so he can testify in court. Amidst a fight at the docks however, Dent sacrifices himself to save Barbara from Flass. Batman loses his temper and threatens to shoot Flass, but ultimately spares him. Following this, Alfred assures Batman that while he failed to reach Dent's humanity, Batman still has his. Elsewhere, a mysterious man kills a series of victims with a toxin that makes them laugh uncontrollably.

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

Warner Bros. Animation approached longtime DC producer Bruce Timm with the idea of producing a revival of Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995) set after the events of The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999), but Timm refused to develop a Batman show that was a continuation to The Animated Series. However, after a discussion with James Tucker regarding the offer, Timm recalled several ideas he had for The Animated Series that he was unable to do due to the target audience, particularly having "more of a pulp, serial, mystery, film noir" depiction of the character, inspiring him to develop a new series based on those ideas.[5][8] Timm, who decided to work with Tucker on the new series, was later informed by Warner Bros. Animation that J. J. Abrams and The Batman (2022) director Matt Reeves were interested to work with him on a new show,[5] after which Timm pitched them his ideas for the new series, which impressed Reeves and Abrams, who decided to work on the series.[8]

In May 2021, It was announced that a new Batman animated series developed by Reeves, Abrams, and Timm, titled Batman: Caped Crusader, would premiere on Cartoon Network and HBO Max.[9] Timm serves as showrunner on the series,[10][3] with the first season consisting of ten episodes.[9] In January 2022, comic book author Ed Brubaker has been announced to be serving as head writer and executive producer for the series;[11] Brubaker agreed to work on the series due to his love for Batman: The Animated Series,[12] and originally approached Timm to work on the show as a freelance writer, thinking the writer's room was already hired. Timm instead hired him as head writer.[13] Additional executive producers include Tucker, Daniel Pipski, Rachel Rusch Rich and Sam Register.[14]

In August 2022, it was reported that the series would no longer be moving forward on HBO Max as part of the service's original programming, but would continue production while being shopped to another network, with Apple TV+, Hulu, and Netflix reportedly interested in the series.[15][16] In September 2022, the series officially began being shopped around to networks with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+ being the big contenders.[17] In March 2023, it was announced that Amazon would serve as the new distributor of the series and had renewed it for a second season.[18] Brubaker was unable to return for season 2 due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike and scheduling issues.[19]

Writing

[edit]

The writing process for season one began in 2022.[20] The series features contributions from writers such as Greg Rucka,[21] Marc Bernardin,[19] Halley Gross, Jase Ricci, Adamma Ebo and Adanne Ebo, with Sean Lee serving as a writer's assistant.[12] Rucka specifically wrote the second episode.[13] In June 2024, J. M. DeMatteis revealed he had written an episode for the show's second season.[22] Reeves, Abrams, and Timm described the series as "continuing the Batman mythology" with Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios president Sam Register saying it will follow the "groundbreaking legacy" of Timm's Batman: The Animated Series, aiming to re-shape the audience perception of the Batman mythologies in a similar vein to The Animated Series. All the executive producers called the series "thrilling, cinematic and evocative of Batman's noir roots while diving deeper into the psychology of these iconic characters".[23]

The series is a period piece set in the 1940s, which was decided by the producers as a way to distinguish Caped Crusader from The Animated Series.[24] The writers used both films and Batman comics released during that period as an influence on character portrayals and design, particularly regarding Catwoman and Clayface.[24] The series draws particular inspiration from noir films, with Tucker being a fan of the genre and wanting to implement it to the series to create an interpretation of the character that hasn't been done in animation.[3]

Brubaker said the series would have a more adult tone while still catering towards a young audience, comparing its rating to Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe,[12] with the series focusing on solving murder mysteries and Batman's self-destructive tendencies.[3] This was reaffirmed during the 2023 Annecy Film Festival by Warner Bros. Animation vice-president Peter Girardi, who noted the series would target an older audience, which gave Timm more creative freedom than The Animated Series, where he had to discard ideas due to censorship.[25] Timm noted some elements of the series were recycled from plans he discarded from The Animated Series, such as depicting "this emotionally messed-up version of Batman, who's extremely aloof and almost inhuman".[3]

Casting

[edit]

Diedrich Bader revealed he did voice work for the series in August 2022.[26] In June 2024, the voice cast for the series were revealed with Hamish Linklater announced to be voicing Batman and Bader to be voicing Two-Face.[3]

Animation and post-production

[edit]

Animation services were provided by Studio IAM and Studio Grida.[5] James Tucker returns from previous DC animated media as a character designer.[12] Post-production for the series began in January 2024, with early cuts for some episodes having already been developed by that point.[13] The character design for Batman was inspired by his 1930s comics design, which artists used as a "starting point" for a more stylized take in order to differentiate his appearance from his design in previous media.[5]

Release

[edit]

An early animation reel for the series was shown during the 2023 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.[25] Batman: Caped Crusader was originally set to release on HBO Max and Cartoon Network apart of its ACME Night slate,[15] however, it was released on Amazon Prime Video, on August 1, 2024.[27] The second season has been confirmed, but its release date has not yet been set.[28]

Reception

[edit]

Batman: Caped Crusader has a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 54 critic reviews, with an average rating of 7.6/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Marking Bruce Timm's long-awaited return to the Batman mythos, Caped Crusader is a hard-boiled and retro treat for fans of the Dark Knight's previous animated adventures."[29] On Metacritic, the series received a score of 73 out of 100 based on 16 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[30]

ScreenRant's Ben Gibbons rated the series three out of five stars. He praised the series for its exceptional cast performances and "fresh", "exciting" art and storytelling. However, Gibbons noted that the series could benefit from more screen time for Batman and felt that the 10-episode season was too short for an animated series.[31] In the GamesRadar review, Bradley Russell rates the series four out of five stars, praising it as a strong reinvention reminiscent of Batman: The Animated Series. The show features a moody tone, Art Deco setting, and nuanced villains. While Hamish Linklater's Batman is capable but slightly flat, the evolution of characters like a female Penguin and a nuanced Harley Quinn was highlighted. However, the reviewer notes that the show lacks the emotional depth and standout elements of its predecessor.[32]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Jarrod, Jones (July 29, 2024). "Batman: Caped Crusader is a moody echo of The Animated Series". AV Club. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Thomas, Mike (July 29, 2024). "'Batman: Caped Crusader' Review: Bruce Timm's New Animated Series Has an Identity Crisis". Collider. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Breznican, Anthony (June 20, 2024). "Meet the New Voices of Batman, Harley Quinn, and Catwoman: EXCLUSIVE". Vanity Fair. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e Vejvoda, Jim (July 2, 2024). "Batman: Caped Crusader: Here's Who Is Voicing Allies Like Gordon and Alfred". IGN. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "You are being redirected..." www.animationmagazine.net. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Comments, Ray Flook | (July 22, 2024). "Batman: Caped Crusader Spotlights Firebug, Gentleman Ghost, Nocturna". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Lyles, Taylor (July 25, 2024). "Clayface and Onomatopoeia Revealed for Batman: Caped Crusader". IGN. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Schedeen, Jesse (June 26, 2024). "Batman: Caped Crusader Exclusive Trailer". IGN Africa. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Hibberd, James (May 19, 2021). "Batman Animated Series from J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves Coming to HBO Max". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  10. ^ Kit, Borys (January 7, 2022). "'Batman: Caped Crusader' Adds Comics Author Ed Brubaker to Creative Team (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  11. ^ Kit, Borys (January 7, 2022). "Batman: Caped Crusader Adds Comics Author Ed Brubaker to Creative Team (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c d "From the desk of Ed Brubaker". us13.campaign-archive.com. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  13. ^ a b c Comic Book Club: Ed Brubaker, December 6, 2023, retrieved January 3, 2024
  14. ^ Kuznikov, Selena (May 9, 2024). "'Batman: Caped Crusader' First Look: J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves-Produced Animated Series Sets August Release on Prime Video". Variety. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Hailu, Selome; Hailu, Selome (August 23, 2022). "'Batman: Caped Crusader' Animated Series from Bruce Timm, J.J. Abrams, Matt Reeves Axed at HBO Max, Will Be Shopped Elsewhere". Variety. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  16. ^ "Heat Vision". view.email.hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  17. ^ "Heat Vision". view.email.hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  18. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (March 9, 2023). "'Batman: Caped Crusader' Moves to Amazon With Two-Season Order". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Zalben, Alex (December 6, 2023). "Ed Brubaker On Batman: Caped Crusader Vs Batman: The Animated Series". Comic Book Club. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  20. ^ Wilde, Karlis (July 31, 2024). "Batman: Caped Crusader Season 2: Everything We Know". ScreenRant. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  21. ^ Johnston, Rich (March 9, 2022). "Greg Rucka Joins Ed Brubaker On Batman: Caped Crusader TV Series". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  22. ^ "J. M. DeMatteis Winter 2024 Newsletter". us15.campaign-archive.com. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  23. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (May 19, 2021). "Batman: Caped Crusader Animated Series From Bruce Timm, J.J. Abrams, Matt Reeves Set At HBO Max & Cartoon Network". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  24. ^ a b "'Batman: Caped Crusader' first look reveals Asian American Harley Quinn, 'weird' Dark Knight, more". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Hopewell, John (June 16, 2023). "'Fionna and Cake,' 'Gumball,' 'Batman: Caped Crusader,' 'War of the Rohirrim' Dazzle at Annecy". Variety. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  26. ^ Imgur. "imgur.com". Imgur. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  27. ^ Holub, Christian (May 9, 2024). "'Batman: Caped Crusader' first look reveals Asian American Harley Quinn, 'weird' Dark Knight, more". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  28. ^ David, Craig (August 1, 2024). "Will there be a Batman: Caped Crusader season 2?". Radio Times. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  29. ^ "Batman: Caped Crusader: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  30. ^ "Batman: Caped Crusader: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  31. ^ Gibbons, Ben (July 29, 2024). "Batman: Caped Crusader Review - The Dark Knight Returns To His Roots In Dark Batman: TAS Follow-Up". ScreenRant. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  32. ^ Russell, Bradley (July 29, 2024). "Batman: Caped Crusader review: "A reinvention of a classic"". gamesradar. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Batman:_Caped_Crusader&oldid=1240130231"