DC Animation ‘Batman: Caped Crusader’: Animated Series From Bruce Timm, J.J. Abrams, Matt Reeves Greenlit

[flickchick85]

I will say I hope they make Onomatopoeia the next villain for The Batman II.

Was kinda cool on S&L, ngl.

 

[Mindreaper21]

I actually enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It’s different, but it’s still very Batman. I was a bit on the fence with the female Penguin and Harvey being “Wrong-Face”, but it didn’t bother me as much as I expected. The cameos were great. I love the whole supernatural element. Onomatopoeia was so unbelievably good. A perfect fit for this show. I’m really excited to see what they bring next season.

 

[flickchick85]

I'm a sucker for Batman bringing in just a tinge of the supernatural (Gothic remains one of my favorite Morrison Bat-stories), so that was indeed a nice surprise here.

 

[J.Drangal]

- I can't avoid the elephant in the room, so... could this show potentially knock B:TAS off it's 32 year perch for me? I honestly don't think so. B:TAS felt archetypal and beyond iconic. It's visuals, music, voice acting hits you up the face and present a Batman that feels timeless. B:CC feels like a very particular vision with the parameters heavily set. B:TAS was BATMAN. CAPED CRUSADER is... Batman through a 1940's lens (Doesn't mean I don't love it though). Does that make sense to anyone?

Make sense to me!
Even though BTAS established a new status quo for the Batman universe at the time, it still started from a fairly classic version. So, by its very nature, it always felt more definitive.
Here, while Caped Crusader returns to the character's roots, we also see 80 years of subsequent innovation in this universe sent back through the prism of the initial iteration.
So, like you said, it is a "very particular vision".

And a beautiful thing! ^^

- I simply have to praise the music again, but I will admit I do miss a more memorable theme for Batman. Regardless, Wiedmann always delivers.

The score is the big surprise to me. I just love it!
I already adopted the new Batman theme. And although Wiedmann's approach isn't exactly exactly the same as Walker, the music adds a lot to the noir atmosphere.

Oh, and if I'm not crazy, parts of the score in "Kiss of The Catwoman" remind me of Batman Returns, so bonus points here!

- As much as I think the animation is beautiful, and I most certainly know nothing about what it takes to make a show like this, can someone tell me how the show has been ''Utilizing state-of-the-art animation techniques and technologies available'' (as stated in the original press release) to differentiate it from anything else recently?

I think the few months the series was on hold had an impact on things... but maybe that statement was about the use of digital tools?
I know Timm said the animation was mostly handmade, but you can clearly spot some digital animation here and there...

In any case, the art direction is great (the backgrounds are stunning), but what occasionally "hurts" the whole thing for me a bit is the quality of movement.
Timm's style, whether in the roundness of BTAS or the more chiselled forms of TNBA, really shines when animated with a certain dynamism (something also very obvious in his comics work).
Here, things are moving, even fluidly, but it lacks sometimes the elasticity, deformation and all the little "vibrations" you can get in traditional animation.
This is particularly noticeable in quiet scenes, where certain facial expressions, poses and gestures are rather stiff.
On the other hand, the fight scenes are really cool! I loved the ones against Clayface.

So far, I've only watched the first four episodes (still trying to control myself not to binge) but I do feel like the show looks better and better.
I wonder if things were produced in order, explaining how some adjustments are made along the way. There also certainly must be the influence of each directors...

So, in short : yeah, on the technical side, this new show doesn't seem above DC Animation's latest productions to me either.
It's definitely not as well-made as something like Justice League : Gods & Monsters.

----------

To continue my review, I really enjoyed episodes 3 and 4!

"Kiss of The Catwoman" is an episode that I found well-produced, and particularly well-paced and well-thought-out.
There's a nice balance between light adventure with Catwoman and something more serious with the exploration of Bruce's past.
I also really liked the way the writers found situations to bring the characters together : Bruce Wayne's therapy with Harley happens organically.
The flashback scenes are the highlight, both in form and content.

I liked the relationship between Gordon and Montoya in "The Night of the Hunters".
I found a little Year One flavor to this episode with that first meeting between Batman and his favorite commissioner, the fight against the swat in a burning building, etc...
Firebug is short-lived, but his scenes are very well done. Can't wait for Bullock and Flass to fall...
Anyway, a nice episode but overall not as well produced as the previous two.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Watched it. Enjoyed it.

But lord Amazon knows how to make it lose momentum. Random commercial in the middle sentences? Do they not know how to set these things for proper times where there is at least a scene transition?

So while I want to do a rewatch and give it more attention....on Amazon..idk bout that

While these things arent horrible, I dont necessarily like them either:
I am beyond over Selina Kyle getting outted as Catwoman so quickly. Especially as just a 1 episode character at that?

Same can almost be said for Harley. We spend time with her as Harlene but the same episode where we first see her suited up is not only her last episode but the same episode where her identity is exposed to Bats and Barbara? I was expecting to see Harley Quinn more throughout the season then just 1 episode.

I was really wanting Barbara to save Batman in the Harley episode but they not only make her make things worse since for some reason she never thinks about any buttons that can open the cage? and somehow Bats magically escapes the cage and is able to save Barbara

 

[chintai80]

i like how they threw in the supernatural and occult elements into some episodes - just like the original 1939 batman stories. such as where he battled as against the monk in those early kane / finger issues.

the monk would make a good villain for S2 too.
1940s batman vs a friggin' vampire!

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Hamish’s Batman voice reminds me a lot of Jensen Ackles’

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Another head-scratching decision made by Zaslav. The best Batman animated content in a long time and one of the best DC shows in recent years and he sold it for a quick buck. I hope it does as well in subsequent weeks too.

The guy is clueless when it comes to fandoms. He's a vulture capitalist who failed upward.

 

[kguillou]

6 episodes in, I love this damn thing. Gonna watch 2 more tomorrow and then 2 more on Sunday.

What I love is this show doesnt just feel like a Batman show, it feels like a show about Gotham City. The supporting cast like Barbara, Montoya,, Gordon, Dent etc all feel like they get as much screentime as Batman does and this show is just as much about them.

 

[flickchick85]

What I love is this show doesnt just feel like a Batman show, it feels like a show about Gotham City. The supporting cast like Barbara, Montoya,, Gordon, Dent etc all feel like they get as much screentime as Batman does and this show is just as much about them.

That's why Brubaker/Rucka are my favorite Bat-writers. They don't just write a great Batman. Between Gotham Central and Catwoman and The Question and Batwoman, they write a great Gotham City, period. The cast of characters is just so rich in their hands.

 

[Rick190293]

Finished right now and yeah, what a great show. Loved the mood and the noir feel mixed with BTAS influences. I just found the animation too bland sometimes, like it lacked some details, specially in the faces. Sometimes the characters didn't show the emotion the moment deserved it. And I miss a stronger theme, although the ost is very good. Oh, and it's way darker than I expected lol. Bring it on season 2!

 

[signalman]

Watched episodes 1-3 so far. B+.
Love this version of Catwoman. She is having a good time. Sassy and Sexy.
Big plus for using the Golden Age Purple dress/green cape Costume. Also the Kitty Car.
Her car 1st appeared in DETECTIVE COMICS #122



Clayface was nicely done.
Mostly the Golden Age Basil Karlo with little bits of Matt Hagen(Able to Change Face.) and Preston Payne(Face melting on his date.).

Penguin was the big change. Nice design and I like the voice work of Minnie Driver. But I need another appearance or two before I am all in of this change.

Will watch a few episodes this weekend.

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

I just finished it. I'm sorry guys, I liked it however I did not love it.

First of all, this Gotham they created was brilliant. The 1940s film noir aesthetic, how diverse the Gothamites are in appearance, the abundance of strong women in this world, that all works for me. That being said, Batman/Bruce was very hard to root for, the writers didn't fully flesh him out, Linklater did an admirable job but there were times where he got painfully monotone and then most of all, they didn't get Batman's relationships with his supporting cast right.

There were some gems here (specifically the last two episodes, the Catwoman episode (loved the shout out to Joan Crawford's Mamacita with Selina's maid) and episode 7) but ultimately they were just okay stories. I hate to say it but I can see why they struggled to find a home for this show. Some of the scenes dragged and they could've used some more action sequences.

Here's hoping for season 2 that they dig a little deeper.

 

[Invader Joker]

I personally loved how this Bruce was a waay bigger ******* and colder than in the original BTAS run. (Tho I think this take will eventually evolve into being more like the TNBA Batman and JL/JLU Batman, which I'd be fine with since I actually preferred him there than in BTAS) Always prefer Batman to be as flawed as humanly possible, while still retaining his drive to rid the world of evil and his code. To me that's always been the appeal of the character; he's ****ed up.

In fact, this take on Batman is pretty much the biggest positive of the show for me. There's some stuff this season that feels like typical growing pains of a Season 1, and also I did kiiinda feel at times the way they were probably having trouble figuring out how to be different from TAS while also keeping the appeal of that show, but I can't really point to a single episode I actually disliked. And I genuinely think it'll only get better from here.


Also, I get Timm's idea that he wants to keep Batman at a distance and that's what causes a lot of screentime to go to other characters in some episodes, but this take on Batman is so good I do hope they manage to balance that out better next season as I really want as much from him and his Bruce Wayne as possible. Some episodes here (mainly the last two) felt like they were having trouble with it, in the last one at one point Batman felt like an afterthought, which he should never feel like.

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

I personally loved how this Bruce was a waay bigger ******* and colder than in the original BTAS run. (Tho I think this take will eventually evolve into being more like the TNBA Batman and JL/JLU Batman, which I'd be fine with since I actually preferred him there than in BTAS) Always prefer Batman to be as flawed as humanly possible, while still retaining his drive to rid the world of evil and his code. To me that's always been the appeal of the character; he's ****ed up.

In fact, this take on Batman is pretty much the biggest positive of the show for me. There's some stuff this season that feels like typical growing pains of a Season 1, and also I did kiiinda feel at times the way they were probably having trouble figuring out how to be different from TAS while also keeping the appeal of that show, but I can't really point to a single episode I actually disliked. And I genuinely think it'll only get better from here.


Also, I get Timm's idea that he wants to keep Batman at a distance and that's what causes a lot of screentime to go to other characters in some episodes, but this take on Batman is so good I do hope they manage to balance that out better next season as I really want as much from him and his Bruce Wayne as possible. Some episodes here (mainly the last two) felt like they were having trouble with it, in the last one at one point Batman felt like an afterthought, which he should never feel like.

And that right there is the problem because that is definitely not who Batman is.

Yes he's been through trauma and might be a little mental, but he still has his humanity and does what he does to save Gotham's soul because he cares and has emotions.

 

[Invader Joker]

And that right there is the problem because that is definitely not who Batman is.

Yes he's been through trauma and might be a little mental, but he still has his humanity and does what he does to save Gotham's soul because he cares and has emotions.

It absolutely is who he is. He still very much had humanity in this show, just like he did in TNBA, JL, JLU and Batman Beyond, he just has his flaws in relating to other people and in handling his own emotions all of which stems from him being extraordinarily obsessed with his mission and being extremely broken on the inside.

 

[Kane52630]

Yeah I disagree about him being purposely cold all the time. It's why BTAS still has yet to be topped.











And to me, it's why I love episode 8 of Caped Crusader so much because they kinda redid the Baby Doll episode. I would love it if the next season opens him up to more scenes where he's actually human.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

Yeah I disagree about him being purposely cold all the time. It's why BTAS still has yet to be topped.

While the cold, creature of the night thing can be a lot of fun (after all, I'm a HUGE Keaton fan)... THIS is what I think about when I think about Batman. His humanity - As Amanda Waller said in JLU, ''For all that fierce exterior, I've never met anyone who cared more deeply about his fellow man than Bruce Wayne.''

I get the show is trying something different and going for an arc of sorts, but I do think Batman can be ''cold'' in the field, without being rude and dismissive of Alfred at the same time.

Calling him ''Alfred'' in episode 10 was lovely.

 

[Frodo]

I get that there are fans of the type of Batman in Caped Crusader , but I always preferred the Conroy, Keaton, Bale, versions , of Batman .

It's a matter of taste , and your mileage may vary with how they to portray Batman in Caped Crusader.

I've found this with various Sherlock Holmes adaptations. Some of the character being more charming and likable , with other versions of him just being an out and out Jerk.

So, it depends on one's taste , whether they like it or not.

It does look like this Bruce Wayne is on an arc , and not just being another version of " Jerk Batman" . .

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

 

[Invader Joker]

Yeah I disagree about him being purposely cold all the time. It's why BTAS still has yet to be topped.











And to me, it's why I love episode 8 of Caped Crusader so much because they kinda redid the Baby Doll episode. I would love it if the next season opens him up to more scenes where he's actually human.

While the cold, creature of the night thing can be a lot of fun (after all, I'm a HUGE Keaton fan)... THIS is what I think about when I think about Batman. His humanity - As Amanda Waller said in JLU, ''For all that fierce exterior, I've never met anyone who cared more deeply about his fellow man than Bruce Wayne.''

I get the show is trying something different and going for an arc of sorts, but I do think Batman can be ''cold'' in the field, without being rude and dismissive of Alfred at the same time.

Calling him ''Alfred'' in episode 10 was lovely.

To me the thing is that you guys are making a differentiation when I don't think there is one. That JLU episode is a very perfect example because yes, he's the guy that stayed with Ace as she was dying, but he's also the dude that, in the very same episode, it's brought up how he pushed every single one of his allies away over the years and had shown to be so manipulative to the extent that Terry bought the idea that he had been tricked by him too. It's not like I look at that and think "these are two different characters", it's the same one, they are different sides of him, which is what makes him complex and three dimensional.

It's the same thing here, the guy that unleashed hell on the cops that tried to kill Catwoman and then bandaged her wound, saved those kids in a burning building in Episode 4, and wrapped Nocturna in his cape on Episode 8 to protect her, is the exact same guy that's being extremely emotionally distant and is closing off his emotions as much as possible and looking the world in this very utilitarian "Does this help with my mission?" manner. It's not like I looked at those scenes and thought he suddenly transformed into a different character. It's all the same one, different sides of him, which is what makes this version really work for me.

It does look like this Bruce Wayne is on an arc , and not just being another version of " Jerk Batman" . .

While this Bruce will definitely have an arc (I mean he already had one) I very very very much doubt that it's ever gonna lead to him becoming like early seasons TAS Bruce. Part of why this show exists in the first place is because Timm wanted showcase a colder version of Batman than what they were allowed to do in TAS, with Timm even flat out stating that at least those early seasons humanised him waaay more than he'd have liked. That's why I think that whatever arc he goes through will probably ultimately result in him being more like TNBA/JL and JLU Batman.

 

[solidsnake86]

I liked what they did with Harley Quinn. It was a good twist on the story and a great way to introduce the character without being tied to Joker.

 

[Gamma Goliath]

Just finished it all. Really good start, can't wait to see what else they do with these characters. Harley was a really cool rework of the character, this is my favorite interpretation of her.

 

[Frodo]

I like the new Harley as well.

For years in Animation ,and in live action, we've basically gotten only slight variations on what Arleen Sorkin did with the character .

That's no disrespect to Margot Robbie , or the other actresses who've done voice work over the decades, but her characterization has been pretty similar, without much variation , at least in what I've seen.

Yeah , I know Mia Sara did something different with the character in BOP from the early 00s, but we don't talk about that show .

It remains to be seen what Lady Gaga will do with the part , but this is the first time I've seen a different take on the character .

Again, one's mileage may vary on whether they like the new direction , but I'd liked getting a different angle on her character for a change.

I also liked the new version of Barbara Gordon as an attorney.

 

[DKDetective]

To me the thing is that you guys are making a differentiation when I don't think there is one. That JLU episode is a very perfect example because yes, he's the guy that stayed with Ace as she was dying, but he's also the dude that, in the very same episode, it's brought up how he pushed every single one of his allies away over the years and had shown to be so manipulative to the extent that Terry bought the idea that he had been tricked by him too. It's not like I look at that and think "these are two different characters", it's the same one, they are different sides of him, which is what makes him complex and three dimensional.

It's the same thing here, the guy that unleashed hell on the cops that tried to kill Catwoman and then bandaged her wound, saved those kids in a burning building in Episode 4, and wrapped Nocturna in his cape on Episode 8 to protect her, is the exact same guy that's being extremely emotionally distant and is closing off his emotions as much as possible and looking the world in this very utilitarian "Does this help with my mission?" manner. It's not like I looked at those scenes and thought he suddenly transformed into a different character. It's all the same one, different sides of him, which is what makes this version really work for me.



While this Bruce will definitely have an arc (I mean he already had one) I very very very much doubt that it's ever gonna lead to him becoming like early seasons TAS Bruce. Part of why this show exists in the first place is because Timm wanted showcase a colder version of Batman than what they were allowed to do in TAS, with Timm even flat out stating that at least those early seasons humanised him waaay more than he'd have liked. That's why I think that whatever arc he goes through will probably ultimately result in him being more like TNBA/JL and JLU Batman.
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I would take those quotes with a huge cup of salt. You are giving Timm way too much credit and authority over this show. He helped develop the show and has some story credits, but he is not a writer or director on this show. Timm is very much an attention ****e and gloryhog who tried to pull a Bob Kane and exclude Paul Dini from credit for Harley Quinn's creation.

The showrunner here is Ed Brubaker and this is very clearly Brubaker's baby. Brubaker is very much a fan of a humanist Batman. Him and Rucka were two of the lead writers on Murderer/Fugitive which is very much a rejection of the excesses of jerk Batman from the later 90s comics and centers around an arc involving Bruce reconnecting with his humanity and compassion.