Although Batman has yet to make his formal debut in the DC Universe, some details about the franchise’s version of the hero have already been announced or revealed. Batman is one of the most recognized and beloved superheroes in pop culture, and his impact on the superhero genre cannot be understated. As such, any shared DC universe doesn’t seem to be complete until it has an incarnation of the Dark Knight, which is planned to be the case in the latest DC franchise. Batman is set to be introduced into the movies and TV shows of the DCU in The Brave and the Bold, although concrete details on the Caped Crusader’s debut have been somewhat thin on the ground.
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Though the DCU is still in its infancy, there have been a few details already revealed about the franchise’s Batman. Much of it has been gleaned from confirmed story elements and also from comments made by DC Studios co-head James Gunn. While the DCU’s version of Batman might still be a way off, there are certain details about him that are already known.
1) That He’s A “F***ing Maniac…”
James Gunn has not revealed a huge amount about the upcoming DCU movie The Brave and the Bold, which is set to be Batman’s full debut in the franchise. However, in the Adventures in the Making of Superman featurette, Gunn describes Batman as “a f***ing maniac,” seemingly disclosing part of the thought process behind creating the DCU hero. It seems that Gunn’s understanding of Batman is that he isn’t inherently heroic, implying that the DCU’s Batman will be a dark and complex figure, potentially unlike any previous cinematic incarnation.
2) …And That He Won’t Be Funny Or Campy
Although James Gunn is best known for his irreverent and often comedic approach to superhero action, he has also indicated that the DCU will not feature a funny or campy version of Batman. This assuages some fan concerns that Gunn’s take on Batman might fundamentally misunderstand how serious the character typically is, and indicates that the DCU will aim to avoid the mistakes of Joel Schumacher’s more lighthearted Batman movies. Though it may not be concrete evidence, it’s certainly an encouraging sign that the DCU is handling Batman with sensitivity.
3) That He’s Got A No-Kill Rule
Perhaps one of the more mundane pieces of confirmed information about the DCU’s Batman is that he has a no-kill rule. Peacemaker’s official DCU debut in Peacemaker Season 2 made Season 1 of the show canon, including its reference to Batman’s famous no-kill rule. While it might seem standard, it helps the DCU distance itself from the DCEU, which famously saw Batman ignore his most iconic principle. It’s another indication of the DCU’s intention to maintain a level of comic-accuracy, especially when it comes to the more sacrosanct elements of the Caped Crusader’s character.
4) Who His Robin Is
The announcement that Batman’s place in the DCU’s timeline will begin with The Brave and the Bold led to confirmation not just that Robin will play a role in the franchise, but also the identity of Batman’s sidekick. The comic book series that the movie will adapt heavily features Damian Wayne, Bruce Wayne’s son, as Robin. The inclusion of Damian Wayne has been confirmed, which will help the DCU set its version of Robin apart from previous live-action incarnations.
5) That He’s Probably Got A Kid With A Villain
Of course, including Damian Wayne in the DCU comes with another potential implication. Assuming the franchise opts for complete comic accuracy in bringing Damian to life, then his mother will be Talia al Ghul, the daughter of Ra’s al Ghul. Having the DCU’s Batman already fathering a child with a villain is an interesting development, especially in regard to how the DCU will handle establishing the plot point.
6) That He Already Has Several Villains In The DCU
It has been firmly established that the DCU’s Batman won’t be introduced in an origin story, instead depicting a veteran crime-fighter. An extension of this is that Batman already has multiple confirmed villains in the DCU: White Rabbit has appeared in Peacemaker, Clayface will be appearing in a solo project, and Rupert Thorne made an appearance in Creature Commandos. Although the latter is confirmed as dead, the franchise already adapting multiple villains subtly confirms that Batman is a major character in the DCU, even well before his official debut.
7) What He Looks Like
A surprising addition to the characters of Creature Commandos was Batman, who made his first-ever DCU cameo in the animated show. Though it was a fleeting moment that didn’t reveal a huge amount about the character, it was a glimpse at the franchise’s Dark Knight. The cameo suggests that the DCU’s Batman will be largely comic-accurate in terms of his build and costume, and while the moment left plenty to the imagination, it was fans’ first chance to see Batman in the DCU.
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