Watching – Batman: Caped Crusader

Every decade or so, there’s a new animated Batman series. This isn’t a bad thing. Each has had some interesting takes on the classic lore stirred in with new interpretations. So far, I’m enjoying this one.

The look of it is close to the Bruce Timm original animated series (no surprise as Timm is an executive producer and a regular writer on Caped Crusader) and it gives me hope. The majority of adaptations involving Timm have been worthwhile (the Killing Joke had it’s problems …). Even with the first episode, it feels like a return to that classic Batman. It’s grittier than the original and not so art deco but it still the style has that feel of another time and place, embodied in artifacts like phone booths and cameras and a lack of computers and cell phones. Timm isn’t alone in bringing us this latest iteration, he’s got other big names like J.J. Abrams, Matt Reeves, and Ed Brubaker joining him as executive producers. I’ve got some strong opinions about some of Abrams work but the others have got some solid story telling credits.

The usual cast of characters are there, with some new spins. Commissioner Gordon is a person of colour (as in the recent Batman (2022) movie) as is his daughter Barbara, now a crusading lawyer who finds herself continually at odds with ambitious D.A. Harvey Dent. Rupert Thorne is in a turf war with the Penguin, a mob boss and mother (I suspect we might see more of one of the kids in the future). And Alfred is closer to the original Alfred Beagle from way back when, but still loyal manservant and faithful assistant and a spot on voice. There are other familiar faces with new looks like Montoya and Bullock forming those core elements. For those who know the lore, there are so many little bits of foreshadowing being dropped as the Batman mythos are being established once more. The question is how they will set up the web of relationships and attitudes and will it still manage to remain true to the essence of what we expect of a Batman.

I’m enjoying the storytelling that has an arc across the season, developing the characters and their relationships while Batman takes on the Villain of the Week. It does feel more like an ensemble with scenes and narratives being split between the main cast. Reimagining characters like these can take time to find their step (The Batman (2004) eventually found its groove while Beware the Batman (2013) might have but was already cancelled). It managed to binge through the available episodes (10 at this time) of 25 minutes each.

I eagerly await another season and see where they take some of these characters and what villains are brought out and with what new spins.