Fans of a good Batman series might want to check out “Batman: Caped Crusader” (2024), the new Amazon Prime cartoon about the popular superhero. While this may be a new approach to the Dark Knight’s fight against crime and corruption in Gotham City, the show still provides a good watch.
“Batman: Caped Crusader” is a 10-episode television show produced by Adamma Ebo, Adanne Ebo and Gabriel Strick. The show primarily features voice acting from Hamish Linklater, Krystal Joy Brown, Eric Morgan Stuart and Jason Watkins.
The 1940s setting of “Batman: Caped Crusader” sets it apart from previous Batman movies and television shows, with the opening theme and title sequence best amplifying this choice.
However, it is hard to separate “Caped Crusader” from “Batman: The Animated Series” (1992–1995). This is primarily due to Bruce Timm producing both shows.
In this new show, Batman is voiced by Linklater, notable for works such as “Midnight Mass” (2021) and “The New Adventures of Old Christine” (2006–2010). Going up against Kevin Conroy’s iconic Batman is a major task, but Linklater can hold his own. While he may not be as memorable as Conroy’s interpretation, he still is a worthy performer and his voice and demeanor fit the character well.
The audience can tell Bruce is still dealing with losing his parents. There are a few instances where Linklater delivers lines suggesting he will open up about his trauma. However, he immediately shoves those thoughts down. It is a combination of good acting and writing.
Other characters in the show include Barbara Gordon (Krystal Joy Brown) and James Gordon (Eric Morgan Stuart). Both have the same amount of screen time as Batman, and their presence is fully utilized. Brown’s Barbara is a no-nonsense character who does not come across as pandering. She is a complete character, with her moments to outwit villains.
Her father, James Gordon, is given more of a back seat in the show. Unlike previous iterations of the character, where he and Batman work together to track down criminals, Gordon has no personal connection with Batman yet.
In “Batman: Caped Crusader,” Gordon wants to do the right thing but has to follow authority. It is a fresh take for viewers, and Stuart does a great job playing this character. He feels like a mixture of past portrayals while doing his own thing.
Despite the 1940s setting, viewers do not feel like they are in the decade. Although details, such as the vehicles, hint at the retro time to audiences, the show’s style is no different than a Batman show set in the present day.
What could have benefited the show is to have made better use of its 1940s setting. A rich, stylistic approach would be animating the show in black and white with a film grain overlay. This would have made the show feel less modern, which is something the show does.
Some characters such as The Penguin suit the period. However, others do not have creative designs. Still, the original series displays a better aesthetic of the 1940s, despite not being set in the decade.
As for the story, “Batman: Caped Crusader” echoes “Batman: The Animated Series” with each episode containing a new bad guy for Batman to fight. Some episodes are stronger than others, and some villains are written excellently.
Although it does try something new, “Batman: Caped Crusader” cannot escape the shadow of “Batman: The Animated Series.” It is a good show, but not groundbreaking.
Rating: 3.5/5
