Batman: Caped Crusader Review – Dark Knight Meets Therapy in Retro Animated Series

Both Christopher Nolan and Matt Reeves depicted Batman as a brooding figure in their respective interpretations: Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy and Reeves' The Batman (2022). Ben Affleck's portrayal in Batman v Superman and Justice League continued this trend, reinforcing Batman's dark and serious persona. This made The Lego Batman Movie (2017) a refreshing change, presenting a Batman who didn’t take himself too seriously and diverged from the usual darkness of the DC universe. Now, a new animated series strikes a balance between the brooding and the self-deprecating, blending Gothic noir with comic book animation, and old-world charm with modern politics.

Bruce Timm Meets Matt Reeves

Bruce Timm, the creator of Batman: The Animated Series (1992-95), has also developed Batman: Caped Crusader. However, instead of picking up where he left off, Timm has created a completely new series with a period setting and a Gothic noir aesthetic, reflecting Bruce Wayne's early days as Batman as seen in the 1940s and ‘50s comics. This new series is not a continuation of the original but a fresh take on the Batman story. Matt Reeves and JJ Abrams are attached as executive producers, ensuring the series maintains an ideological connection to Reeves' recent Batman film.

The core conflict around vengeance remains central in Caped Crusader. The series explores whether Batman is a seeker of vengeance or an enabler of it, a dilemma that resonates with both his personal journey and contemporary societal issues. This conflict is not Batman's alone; other Gotham residents also contribute, including a criminal psychologist, two criminal lawyers, and the police commissioner. These characters have differing views on how outlaws should be treated, debating extra-judicial killings, the right to justice, and whether to bend with the system or attempt to reform it.

For instance, Batman uses his suave Bruce Wayne persona to coax acid attack victim Harvey Dent into revealing his attacker, disregarding Harvey’s mental state. When Alfred Pennyworth, his loyal butler, advises compassion, Bruce argues that Harvey, a corrupt lawyer, doesn’t deserve mercy. While persuading Harvey, also known as Two-Face, to become a state witness, Bruce's anger surfaces, saying, “Don't try to build a conscience now.” This moment highlights the unhealthy yet symbiotic relationship between Batman and Two-Face, as they mirror each other's duality and struggles.

Not Just a Batman Show

Caped Crusader emphasizes that Gotham is defined by its inhabitants, not just its vigilante. Even the villains have rich backstories, giving them depth despite the 25-minute episode runtime. Familiar Batman adversaries return, including a cerebral Harley Quinn, a Psycho-inspired Clayface, a bratty Catwoman, and a surprising female Penguin, who is both a ruthless mother and a captivating singer. This gender flip adds mystique and menace to the character, aligning with the series' progressive politics.

Women play significant roles in Caped Crusader, not only as villains but also as law enforcers. Barbara Gordon emerges as a parallel lead, with her own story arc, conflicts, action scenes, and purpose. Her ideological clash with her father, Commissioner Gordon, adds depth, as does her relentless pursuit of second chances for everyone, including former rivals turned outlaws. Detective Montoya is another prominent female character, transitioning from solving a classic whodunit with Batman to leading the task force to apprehend him. Her queer sexuality is established, along with that of Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a criminal therapist.

Dr. Quinzel is introduced when Bruce Wayne is sent to therapy for assaulting a man. In his early days as Batman, Bruce struggles to keep his alter ego from spilling into his public identity. The therapist suggests that Bruce's playboy image is a facade to hide his inner darkness. While Bruce resists these psychological insights, Batman's deepest secrets surface in fleeting moments. For example, a friend’s remark about treating staff as family makes Bruce realize he’s not been vulnerable with Alfred. Until then, he referred to him dismissively as Pennyworth. Amidst his vengeance-driven darkness, Bruce fails to see how he doesn’t treat the less fortunate as equals, raising the question: is he fighting crime to protect the innocent or merely to punish the guilty?

Where to Watch

All episodes of Batman: Caped Crusader are available for streaming on Prime Video.

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