New Batman shows are joining one of HBO Max’s biggest rivals – and I’m all for it
Damian Wayne is finally getting the credit he’s due
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Prime Video is set to become the new streaming home for new animated Batman projects, including the much anticipatedBatman: Caped Crusaderanimated series.
In March, we reported thatBatman: Caped Crusaderwould glide its way onto Amazon’s streaming platformfollowing its cancellation onHBO Max. Almost six weeks later,Amazonhas finally confirmed that the sequel to the acclaimedBatman: The Animated Serieswill launch exclusively onPrime Video, with the streamer greenlighting two seasons of the Bruce Timm, JJ Abrams, and Matt Reeves-developed animated TV show.
Caped Crusaderisn’t the onlyBatmanproject in the works for Prime Video, though. In anAmazon Studios press release, the company also confirmed two other animated offerings were being created specifically for one of the world’sbest streaming services– both of which would star Damian Wayne, Batman’s sociopathic son.
The first of these productions isMerry Little Batman, an action-comedy film that’ll see a young Damian assume the role of ‘Little Batman’ as he defends Wayne Manor (and Gotham City) from the Dark Knight’s various villains during the holiday season. A spin-off series, titledBat-Family, will follow, and focus on Bruce Wayne/Batman, Damian, and butler Alfred as they navigate the trials and tribulations of being a rich, superhero-centric family.
As the below images shows, the animation style in these shows represent a marked departure from the visuals we’ve seen in previous animated Batman projects.
Commenting on the announcement, Amazon and MGM Studios' Head of Television vernon Sanders said: “Batman: The Animated Serieshelped pioneer in the evolution of superhero storytelling and defined the Dark Knight for a generation.Batman: Caped Crusaderwill no doubt continue that tradition and, alongsideMerry Little BatmanandBat-Family, we’re thrilled to collaborate with Warner Bros. Animation to offer a variety of takes on theBatmanmythos to our global Prime Video customers.”
No release date has been set for this trio of Batman productions. Their additions to Prime Video in the coming years, though, will only strengthen the streamer’s back catalog of top-tier animated content, includingInvincible,The Legend of Vox Machina, andUndone.
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A Prime (Video) home for Batman’s global audience
It might seem odd that Prime Video is the new home for all things Batman (from an animation perspective, anyway). The legendary superhero/vigilante is one of DC Comics' most popular characters and, by proxy, the rights to the Dark Knight are owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).
Considering that WBD has its own streaming platforms – HBO Max, the home of its live-action and animated DC content, and Discovery Plus – it’s strange that one of these services, orWBD’s forthcoming super-streamer Max, won’t be the home to new animated Batman projects.
Well, new animated fare likeBatman: Caped Crusaderwas originally set to air on HBO Max. However, cost-cutting measures at WBD, which began in the wake of Warner Bros' merger with Discovery in March 2022, meant that numerous HBO Max animated projects were cancelled.
Thankfully, Amazon Studios has stepped in to save some of them. And, in my mind, it’s a good thing that it did. Not only will we get to see a Bruce Timm-developed sequel toBatman: The Animated Series– one of the best animated shows of all-time, I think you’ll agree – but more people will be able to watch it, too. That’s due to Prime Video being available globally, whereas HBO Max’s availability has been limited to world regions like North and Latin America, and some parts of Europe. As long asBatman: Caped Crusaderis half as good as its predecessor, you bet it’ll be on ourbest Prime Video showsin no time.
Batman fans can expect plenty more Dark Knight-centric content over the next few years. First up is the return of Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne/Batman inThe Flash, one of the last DC Extended Universe (DCEU) movies before WBD’s main superhero universe is reborn as the DC Cinematic Universe (DCU). Be sure to read ourtrailer breakdown article onThe Flash’s latest teaser, too, for all of the coolest Easter eggs it’ll contain.
The DCU will also see Damian Wayne make his live-action debut in a new Batman film, titledThe Brave and The Bold, sometime in the next few years, too. Be sure to read about why it’s one of ourmost anticipated DCU Chapter One projectswhile you’re here. Lastly, WBD is fleshing out its Elseworlds universe centered on Matt Reeves’The Batman, withThe Batman Part II, an HBO Max spin-off starring Colin Farrell’s Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin, and a horror-esque Arkham Asylum series in the works.
For more Batman coverage, find outhow to watch the Batman movies in order. Alternatively, read ourBatman movies rankedpiece, or see which Dark Knight films made it into ourbest superhero moviesguide.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.
Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.
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