The two greatest heroes of the DC Universe are coming back to long-form television at last. DC and Warner Bros. Animation, along with HBO Max and Cartoon Network, have announced two brand-new series based on Batman and Superman. And they both have incredible pedigree among their creative teams. A new animated era will soon begin for the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel.
Batman: Caped Crusader
Warner Bros. Animation / DC Comics
HBO Max and Cartoon Network have greenlit a straight-to-series order for Batman: Caped Crusader. This is an all-new animated series and reimagining of the Batman mythology. It’s told through the visionary lens of executive producers Bruce Timm, J.J. Abrams, and Matt Reeves. The series is jointly produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Bad Robot Productions, and 6th & Idaho.
This is the long-awaited return to an ongoing DC series from animation legend Bruce Timm. The celebrated animator reinvented the Dark Knight thirty years ago with Batman: The Animated Series. This is likely the rumored B:TAS revival rumored some months back. Although this looks to be a total reboot, only with Timm still involved. No word yet on who is voicing Batman and his villains. But they have big shoes to fill, as Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are the Batman and Joker for a generation.
In a joint statement, Timm, Abrams, and Reeves said “We are beyond excited to be working together to bring this character back to tell engrossing new stories in Gotham City. The series will be thrilling, cinematic, and evocative of Batman’s noir roots. All while diving deeper into the psychology of these iconic characters. We cannot wait to share this new world.”
My Adventures with Superman
Warner Bros. Animation / DC Comics
HBO Max and Cartoon Network also announced today a two-season series order for My Adventures with Superman. This is an all-new kids and family series following the action-packed, comedic, and romantic adventures of Superman and Lois Lane. My Adventures with Superman catches up with twenty-somethings Clark Kent, the bright and driven Lois Lane, and their best friend Jimmy Olsen. Together they begin to discover who they are, and everything they can accomplish as an investigative reporting team at The Daily Planet.
In this serialized coming-of-age story, we follow Clark as he builds his secret Superman identity and embraces his role as the hero of Metropolis. And perhaps the world. Lois, now growing into a star investigative journalist, takes aspiring photographer Jimmy Olsen under her wing. All the while, Clark and Lois are falling in love, sharing adventures, taking down bad guys, stumbling over secrets. And also discovering what it means to be Superman and Lois Lane. Jack Quaid (The Boys) and Alice Lee (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist) lead the voice cast as Clark Kent and Lois Lane, respectively.
Warner Bros. Animation / DC Comics
Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!) serves as executive producer, with Jake Wyatt (Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus) and Brendan Clogher (Voltron: Legendary Defender) on board as co-executive producers. Josie Campbell (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power) serves as co-producer. The preview art definitely shows an anime flair. Warner Bros.’ Amy Friedman said in a statement “This fresh take delivers a modern, relatable Clark Kent alongside a fearless, whip-smart Lois Lane. Both are navigating the small tasks of both becoming adults and trying to save the world.”
There is no word yet as to when we can expect these series to drop on HBO Max and Cartoon Network. But we’d imagine a 2022 release date is likely.
