Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, if you were born in the 80s, chances are Batman: The Animated Series (TAS) holds a special place in your heart. With only two television stations, our afternoons were dominated by a few select cartoons woven into our culture’s fabric. TAS was a beacon of quality storytelling, exceptional animation, and unforgettable characters. Over the years, despite numerous Batman adaptations, none have captured the essence of TAS. Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, and Batman Beyond came close, but nothing compared to the delight of revisiting the original. Thus, as a die-hard fan, I entered Batman: The Caped Crusader with hope and skepticism.
Bruce Timm’s Return and the Balancing Act of Nostalgia
Learning that Bruce Timm, a key figure behind TAS, was at the helm of this new series piqued my interest. Yet, the knowledge that Caped Crusader would be a reimagining rather than an expansion of the TAS universe gave me pause. Could it truly capture the original’s magic while standing on its own?
Thankfully, Timm did not disappoint. The series brilliantly uses TAS’s familiar animation style and world structure, intentionally allowing old fans to slip into it like an old glove. New viewers are treated to a beautifully animated world that is simultaneously nostalgic and futuristic. The 60s-inspired clothing and cars in a fantastical setting echo the timelessness that made TAS a masterpiece. This blend of familiarity and innovation is the series’ greatest strength, putting hardcore fans like myself at ease while enticing a new generation.
Hamish Linklater: A New Voice for the Dark Knight
One of the most challenging aspects of the new series was finding a voice actor to step into the shoes of the late Kevin Conroy, the iconic voice of Batman for decades. Hamish Linklater was tasked with this monumental challenge and delivered beyond expectations. He managed to pay homage to Conroy while bringing a fresh and unique style to the character. Once again, the series balances the familiar with the new, making it a compelling watch for fans, old and new.
Reimagining the Core Characters with Intentionality
The series takes bold steps in reimagining its characters, introducing us to a very young Bruce Wayne, a novice Batman, and a Black Jim Gordon and Barbara Gordon. It should also be noted that Barbara is a brilliant defence lawyer with her beautifully well-done afro-styled head of reddish-brown hair (more on this later). In this iteration, Alfred is sassy and more of a servant than a father figure to Bruce, at least initially. These characters jump immediately into messy chaos, making for an engaging narrative.
For the fans who might be quick to raise their pitchforks at the gender and race swaps, I assure you that everything in this series is done with intention. Bruce Wayne’s inexperience allows the series to focus on the Rogue Gallery, one of the most exciting aspects of Batman lore. We all know Wayne’s backstory—it’s been played to death. But this series doesn’t dwell on it. Instead, it portrays Bruce as an arrogant, brilliant, but bratty individual who alienates himself for his mission. The evolution of his relationships, particularly with Alfred, highlights the series.
Making the Gordons Black, with a strained relationship, adds layers to their characters. Jim Gordon’s challenges as a Black man dealing with a crooked police force and a brilliant daughter who represents the people he locks away are compelling. As a defence lawyer and a capable fighter, Barbara Gordon is set up to be an exciting Batgirl as the series progresses. Hence, the intentional adaptation of her red hair here will be important later if the series is developed.
The Rogue Gallery: A Masterclass in Character Development
The Caped Crusader truly shines in its reimagining of the Rogue Gallery. This season introduces us to characters like Clayface, Two-Face, Catwoman, Penguin, Harley Quinn, Firebug, Rupert Thorn’s gang and more. The series updates these characters by incorporating real-world issues like drugs, mental health, and homelessness, making them more complex and nuanced.
Three characters stand out in particular: Penguin (now Oswalda Cobblepot), Harley Quinn, and Two-Face.
Oswalda Cobblepot: The gender swap for Penguin works wonders, transforming her into a character reminiscent of Big Mama from Chicago. She’s maternal, larger-than-life, and ruthless. Wayne’s encounter with her reveals the precarious balance of Gotham’s underbelly, highlighting the unintended consequences of his actions.
Harley Quinn: First introduced in TAS, Harley is often overshadowed by her connection to the Joker. However, in Caped Crusader, her brilliance as a psychiatrist takes center stage. Her intelligence and understanding of the human mind are focal points, and her queerness is portrayed authentically. She comes the closest to cracking into Wayne’s fractured mind, forcing him to confront his motivations.
Two-Face: Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two-Face mirrors Wayne’s journey. They share similar traits, success, and public image as best friends, but their paths diverge drastically. Dent’s descent into madness forces Wayne to adjust his morals, ensuring he doesn’t become what he despises.
The series evolves through these three characters, and while some of the adaptations hit it out of the park, I will say the most disappointing one was Catwoman. They gave us nothing with her, but I hope they can pick her back up and develop her into that femme fatale we love in later seasons.
One character I endeared to, though he plays a minor role, is Papa Midnite. His addition reminded me of Geoffrey Holder’s depiction of Baron Samedi in James Bond, adding a Trinidadian flavour to the mix. I had the privilege of knowing Geoffrey and his very talented brother Boscoe – and I just know he would have loved Papa Midnite.
The Joker’s cameo at the end of the series was also brilliantly done, leaving me eager to see where they take his character in future seasons.
Gotham’s Grit and the Series’ Future
The depiction of Gotham’s justice system – the fourth major “Rogue Villain” when you think about it due to its corruption, particularly Harvey Bullock’s grime, adds another layer of intrigue. Bullock, a piggish but endearing character in TAS, is now selfish and idiotic, setting the stage for some great shenanigans.
Final Thoughts
Batman: Caped Crusader captivated me just like I was watching the original TAS as a child – but held me because of my adult sensibilities. The series masterfully balances nostalgia with fresh takes, making it a must-watch for old fans and newcomers. I’m excited to see where the series goes from here and hope it continues to explore the muck of Gotham’s characters.
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