Prime Video's animated series Batman: Caped Crusader has everything going for it. Written by acclaimed writer Ed Brubaker (creator of numerous beloved Batman comics), the series is produced by Matt Reeves (The Batman), J.J. Abrams and Bruce Timm (creator of Batman: The Animated Series). This is very much the dream team for any Batman project, so does it deliver something special? The short answer: Yes, absolutely.
This is a SPOILER-FREE review. Read ahead without worry!
Caped Crusader is set in 1940s Gotham. From the start, I adored the setting; it makes for the perfect dark noir tone. It feels true to Batman — the Caped Crusader's first-ever adventures in comics were set in the 1940s, after all. The series chronicles Bruce Wayne's early days as Batman. We're not talking Year One early, but more like Month One. He's still a fresh urban legend in Gotham. The GCPD are out to capture him and the dawn of the Bat Signal is still a far stretch down the timeline.
In season 1, Bruce Wayne is still trying to figure out who Batman is and coming to terms with his alter ego. This means he's extra spooky and mysterious, and a little more unhinged than previous incarnations of the character. Nobody in Gotham, not even Commissioner Gordon, feels completely comfortable around him, with the exception of Alfred, and even he is a little intimidated in Batman's presence.
Hamish Linklater's voice work as Burce Wayne/Batman is highly commendable. He certainly brings a darkness to the Dark Knight's voice, but perhaps (if I'm going to nitpick) lacks the harsh grittiness that others actos have had. His costume design reverts back to the classic look. No frills, just classic Batman, much like his appearance in Batman: The Animated Series, minus the blue cape. And I love the Batmobile design, it's badass and epic and matches the style of the era.
While we don't see much of the Batcave, I really loved all the scenes set there between Wayne and Alfred (Jason Watkins). This series — particularly in episode 3 — does an incredible job at reimagining the Batman mythos, and the way it builds on Bruce and Alfred's relationship was a high point. Alfred is not just a father figure to Bruce, but much more of an accomplice of Batman's. Wayne weaponizes him, in a sense.
Review: Batman: Caped Crusader on Amazon Prime Video
This brings us onto the villains. Let's start with the Penguin's introduction in the series premiere. This was my least favorite episode of the series. The Penguin (now Oswalda Cobblepot) felt a little underdeveloped in comparison to other characters; the episode didn't grip me. However, this problem doesn't persist. Basil Karlo, aka Clayface, had a fantastic storyline, as did Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman. I also enjoyed the ghost of James Craddock, a largely underutilised character in the Bat-verse who added some fascinating details about the history of Gotham while also being a fun villain.
Each villain added a new layer to the story, and no two episodes felt samey. Each case showed off a different side of Batman, from his physical prowess to his mental acuity to his moral compass.
The core elements of the Batman legend remain unchanged, but the structure of the show makes it feel unique. For instance, the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne in Crime Alley has been covered so many times onscreen, but Caped Crusader still manages to find a distinctive angle to make it feel novel and as shocking as ever. Similarly, the ongoing plot chronicling how Harvey Dent becomes Two-Face is the same old story, but it had enough distinctive elements to stand out. The meatier changes come in the form of the Penguin and Harley Quinn's story arcs.
Caped Crusader was picked up for two seasons at Prime Video. I can't wait to see what's in store for the next batch of episodes. This first season is already among my favorite TV shows of 2024. It's that good. Perhaps I'm writing with too much excitement, but right now, I think Caped Crusader is quite possibly my favorite Batman project since Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy.
Grade: A+
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