In the wake of the massive success that was X-Men ’97, the Distinguished Competition is attempting its own re-knight-sance with the animated series, Batman: Caped Crusader.
At the helm is a trifecta of creative genius: J.J. Abrams (Star Wars, Star Trek), Matt Reeves (The Batman) and most excitingly, the return of Bruce Timm, creator of the character of Harley Quinn and Batman: The Animated Series, who returns to add more depth and darkness to his beloved oeuvre of work with one of DC’s flagship hero.
The look of the show feels very traditional Batman, with a 1930s noir-esque grime coating the city of Gotham. But DC has shaken things up character-wise. There’s a fresh roster of voice actors bringing their own flair to beloved characters. Hamish Linklater is a natural successor to Kevin Conroy’s Batman, exercising a gravelly and distinctly gruff Batman tone, juxtaposing the cavalier lightness and charm of Bruce Wayne.
Character appearances have also received an update, with costume tweaks and gender-neutral casting that feel fittingly respectful of the comics industry’s ability to constantly re-invent their 75+ year roster of characters, ensuring they feel fresh and relevant while always recognisable.
The creators have enough confidence in the strength of the characters’ history and the willingness of an audience to trust them to stretch stories in new directions. The series comprises simple police procedural episodes that explore Gotham’s gritty underbelly as well as deeper Sopranos-esque therapy session episodes that unpack what makes a hero or a villain.
The violence and brutality of the fighting part of crime fighting is unashamedly visceral. Action scenes are intensely realistic, highlighting Batman’s physicality and the toll it plays on Bruce Wayne. Married to this stark portrayal of violence are nuanced reminders of the personal sacrifices and moral ambiguity of the vigilante.
It’s always going to be difficult not to draw parallels with Batman: The Animated Series, especially when the two share so much DNA. But in the 30 years that have passed since the original series aired, the storytelling – much like with X-Men ’97 – has grown with its audience. Themes that were only gently hinted at back in the ’90s are now fully formed multi-episodic character arcs. Caped Crusader smartly reflects the maturation of the target audience, relishing in laying out more complex and sophisticated narratives.
Indeed, the series strikes a perfect balance of both honouring its predecessors, while forging its own path. Rather than just mining for fan service, it seems to relish the challenge of creating something new. It pays homage to the charm of Batman: The Animated Series, while also pushing the boundaries of what a Batman animated series can be. Much like the successful DC Animated Universe movies, darker tones and the exploration of psychological themes ensure Batman: Caped Crusader stands above other shows with its bold reimagining of the character.
Season one of Batman: Caped Crusader is out now on Prime Video.
