With the premiere of Bruce Timm’s new Batman series so close to bearing fruit, let’s not forget that this began germinating over a decade ago.
With the debut of Batman: Caped Crusader less than two weeks away, fans are eagerly anticipating what, in many ways, feels like a rebirth of Batman: The Animated Series. Obviously, it’s a new show with a new cast, but it’s still Batman, it’s still Bruce Timm’s signature art style, and it’s still that 1940s crime noir world that fans of BTAS are familiar with. And even though Caped Crusader was officially announced three years ago, people might be interested to know that the roots of this series can actually be traced back much further than 2021.
In a previous article, I mentioned “Batman: Strange Days,” a Cartoon Network DC Nation short that was released back in 2014 as part of the Dark Knight’s 75th anniversary. I’m sure you remember the one:
One may notice that the spirit of the animated short meshes well with what we already know about the Caped Crusader series, at least as far as what’s been reported (for a refresher, please read my analysis of what we know so far here). As it turns out, it's not a coincidence, as I uncovered a 2014 interview that Bruce Timm did with Comics Alliance about “Strange Days” that suggests this has been on his mind for quite a while:
I was at the premiere of The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 at the Paley Center [on January 28, 2013]. One of the reporters there asked me, of all the different versions of Batman that I’ve worked on, through all the DVDs and the series and stuff, which one was my favorite. I said, of course, it’s the original, Batman: The Animated Series, because that’s the closest to my own personal vision of Batman. Then I got to thinking, “Well, you know, even BTAS was not 100% exactly what I would do with Batman if I was boss of the world and didn’t have to take into account economics or TV executives.” If I was boss of the world, how exactly would I do Batman and some of the things they tried to incorporate into BTAS but had to change a little for various reasons?
For example, the look of the show is famously very retro. But, if I had my way, I would have made the show a real period piece. I would have set it absolutely in 1939. With 1939 technology, clothes, and everything. Not just somewhat retro-styled. That made me think, “Hey, if I was going to do it in 1939, then that means it would be in black and white.”
Also, just personality-wise with Batman, I have this idea in my head that it would be kind of neat to play Batman not so much as a human being but almost as a force of nature. Like he’s so focused on his mission that he doesn’t make chit chat. He’s not friendly. He doesn’t make jokes. He only talks when he absolutely has to do so to further his war on crime. Even when he’s with Alfred. Alfred is basically just a tool in his arsenal. He’s not Batman’s best buddy. Same with Commissioner Gordon. No sidekicks. No nothing. He’s just this lone, grim avenger. (qtd. in Khouri)
As you can see, the above material corresponds nicely with a number of features that Timm and company have already discussed in relation to the new series for the past few months, except the black and white part (although, according to fellow producer James Tucker, he may try to talk Timm into “doing a special episode”; qtd. in “DC FanDome 2021”). These stylistic choices even extend to the Batman costume as well:
I went back and looked at those early Bob Kane comics and even though they’re really super crude, there’s something really cool about the way Batman looks in those comics. He’s got the really long ears, they kind of stick out in an inverted “A” shape, or a “V” shape, on the top of his head because they kind of stick out on an angle; they’re really tall. He’s got tiny eyes, his trunks are long, his boots are long. He has short little gloves. I tried to incorporate as much of that in there as possible. (qtd. in Khouri)
It’s certainly fascinating to consider that the genesis of this series can be traced to a chance encounter with a reporter at a January 2013 movie premiere. In effect, it arguably makes “Strange Days” the pilot of Caped Crusader. Still, it would take several more years and our culture’s obsession with reboots for Warner Bros. Animation to approach Timm with a proposal to create more Batman cartoons (Schedeen). And even though he was reluctant at first, they did have one advantage—said Timm in the aforementioned Comics Alliance interview, “I’m never going to be done with Batman” (qtd. in Khouri).
Works Cited
“DC FanDome 2021.” YouTube. Uploaded by DC. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RADmFACrWWQ>. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.
Khouri, Andy. “Exclusive Interview: Bruce Timm on His Return to Batman with ‘Strange Days.’” Comics Alliance. Townsquare Media, Inc. 9 Apr. 2014. Web. 9 Oct. 2022. <https://comicsalliance.com/bruce-timm-batman-strange-days-interview-animation-dc-nation-75th-anniversary-short/>.
Schedeen, Jesse. “Batman : Caped Crusader Exclusive Trailer.” IGN. IGN. 26 Jun. 2024. Web. 27 Jun. 2024. <https://www.ign.com/articles/batman-caped-crusader-trailer-plot-cast-release-date-interview?utm_source=twitter>.
Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, and DC Comics. YouTube videos courtesy of DC channel.
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