Exciting news Bat-Fans. Prime Video has confirmed (via EW) that upcoming animated series Batman: Caped Crusader will make its long-awaited debut on August 1, 2024. The series has also revealed a series of first look images featuring several of the series’ cast of characters.
First announced back in May 2021, the series comes from the trio of executive producers Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series), Matt Reeves (The Batman) and J.J. Abrams. Originally set to debut on MAX, the series was eventually shifted to Prime Video as production continued.
Though casting has yet to be announced, we do have some new details on what to expect. Rather than rehashing the legendary BTAS, Caped Crusader is a fully ‘40s set period pieces which will dial back on technology and instead take inspiration from DC’s comics of the era.
To celebrate the announcement of the release Prime Video has also released a number of first look character stills which you can check out below:
The series is set to feature a dramatic new take of Harley Quinn, separating her from the Clown Prince of Crime and giving her a story of her own.
“I co-created the character,” says Timm. “So I have a lot of love and affection for her, but I thought there might be something interesting about bringing her on the show, just not as Joker’s girlfriend. So how do we do that? A big part was just doing a basic flip. The original Dr. Quinzel was a little bit more serious, and then when she became Harley, she got really goofy and weird. So we thought, what if we reverse that? When she’s Dr. Quinzel, she’s a little bit more whimsical and fun, and then when she’s Harley Quinn, she’s scary.”
Rather than servicing the inmates of Arkham Asylum this new version of Harley is a psychiatrist to the citizens of Gotham and users her skills as a weapon. She will come in to contact with the Dark Knight when she begins counselling none other than Bruce Wayne himself.
“He’s a really weird human being,” Timm says of Batman. “He’s not obsessed with his parents’ murder, but it changed him in a way where he’s still not adjusted to being a human being. He’s literally Batman; inside, that’s who he is. Whenever he’s Bruce Wayne, that’s not just him with a mask off, that’s him wearing a person suit. He’s trying to pretend to be something that he’s not.”
With the series’ premiere coming in August we full expect it to have a presence at San Diego Comic Con in July with perhaps a first look or trailer release. Are you excited for Batman: Caped Crusader? Let us know in the comments below.
Batman: Caped Crusader premieres Thursday, August 1, on Prime Video.
