Prime Video is nearly ready to welcome fans back toBruce Timm’s Gotham City.Batman: Caped Crusader, the spiritual successor to the legendaryBatman: The Animated Series, received its first batch of images introducingthe iconic characters from the Dark Knight’s worldthat will be appearing throughout the show’s first season. The designs hearken back to the classic cartoon with a grittier edge while also offering a new twist on fan favorites like Harley Quinn and Clayface. With the images, the streamer also announced that all ten episodes will debut on Thursday, August 1.
Batman: Caped Crusaderwill welcome viewers toa crime-ridden Gothamwhere corruption far outweighs the lawful minority that lives every day in fear. In the middle of the chaos, billionaireBruce Wayne becomes Batman, a haunting figure for the criminals controlling the streets. He’s remorseless and machine-like in his mission to bring justice to a city where there is none, earning allies among those in City Hall and the Gotham City Police Department, like the nearly-retired Commissioner Jim Gordon, who also constantly rails against the crooked cops and politicians who hoped he’d stand idly by. Wayne’s antics, although heroic, also bring about unintended and deadly consequences for everyone around him.
The images establish a feeling similarto the mature classicthat was Timm andEric Radomski’s superhero series. The titularCaped Crusaderfinds himself in a burning building rapidly filling with smoke in one image, offering a tense look atthe heroics he’ll performin Season 1. There are two sides to this Dark Knight, who conceals his deep desire for justice and vigilantism by crafting a shallow playboy persona as Wayne to distract the public. Patrolling Gotham at the same time isCatwoman, aka Selina Kyle, who dons her iconic costume as she tries to keep living the high life after her father’s imprisonment and the loss of her family fortune. The villains are given a bit of a face-lift in the series, as Clayface goes from a hulking shapeshifter of clay to a B-movie heavy named Basil Karlo, who forever disfigured his face and loses his sanity after utilizing an experimental serum. The biggest change of all, however, comes to Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a personable and brilliant psychiatrist to Gotham’s elitewho dons the creepy persona of Harley Quinn to deliver twisted, calculated vigilante justice to the most deplorable of her clients, making her a chilling contrast to Batman.
‘Batman: Caped Crusader’ Features a Legendary Creative Team
Bringing Timm back to Batman was already a good sign forCaped Crusader, but the series also boastsJ.J. AbramsandThe BatmanhelmerMatt Reevesamong its team, while tappingprolific comic book writerEd Brubakeras head writer. Together, Timm has said their goal was torecapture the vibes of the original ’90s showbut with far fewer limitations on the animation and its storytelling. There’s already plenty of freedom to explore some larger overarching plot threads, as Amazonoffered a two-season orderright off the bat after acquiring the show from Max. Coming off of thewildly successful first season ofX-Men ‘97, it’s shaping up as another series for fans of classic animated superhero shows to get hyped in 2024.
No members of the cast have been announced yet for the show, but they’ll have some big shoes to fill when the time comes. ThelateKevin Conroywill not be providing the voice of Batman, ashis last performance will be heardonJustice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part 3. Assuming the Joker appears at some point, it likely won’t beMark Hamillplaying the Clown Prince of Crime either. TheStar Warsiconplanned to retire from the roleafter Conroy’s death outside a few final appearances,including the platform fighting gameMultiVersus. Whoever will step in will likely be announced as the premiere date draws closer.
All episodes ofBatman: Caped CrusaderSeason 1 arrive on Prime Video on August 1. Visitour helpful guidefor everything to know about the much-anticipated animated series. Check out the first images in the gallery above.
Batman: The Animated Series
The Dark Knight battles crime in Gotham City with occasional help from Robin and Batgirl.
Watch on Max
