Review: BATMAN: CAPED CRUSADER 1×01 – “In Treacherous Waters”
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Directed by: Christina Sotta
Written by: Jase Ricci, Bruce Timm
Starring: Hamish Linklater, Diedrich Bader, Krystal Joy Brown, Eric Morgan Stuart, Jason Watkins, John DiMaggio, Gary Anthony Williams, Minnie Driver, Jeff Bennett, Grey Griffin, Paul Scheer, Cedric Yarbrough
Reviewed by: Joshua Raynor
Summary
Batman: Caped Crusader 1×01 – Batman finds himself in the middle of a turf war between rival crime bosses Rupert Thorne and the Penguin when a series of explosions rocks Gotham.
Positives
First off, there being a brand new animated Batman series is a major positive in my eyes, but the fact that its first episode was so damn good takes it to another level.
I wanna start off by talking about the animation. You can definitely see the influence it took from the original Batman: The Animated Series, while also managing to give it its own unique feel. It has the darkness and grit of the classic series, but with a bit more of a modern, cleaner look to it. None of the character designs are overly exaggerated, which I was incredibly happy to see. This truly is a spiritual successor to BTAS, predominantly thanks to the involvement of Bruce Timm.
Speaking of character designs, multiple characters in this first episode have been changed up a bit from what fans may be used to, and I know that, with the internet being the internet, there has already been a vocal contingent who aren’t pleased with it, and to them I say too bad. Deal with it.
First up, we have a younger, heavier-set Alfred Pennyworth. This was a great call back to his original appearance, alongside the long-eared version of Batman that we also get in this series. The idea that Alfred is younger (as shown by the fact that he isn’t graying yet) helps show that this series is set during Batman’s early days, which is confirmed even more later on in the episode as most people don’t yet believe that he exists.
Next up is Jim Gordon and his daughter Barbara (who is a lawyer in this). In this series they are black, which I believe is a first in the animated series realm (please correct me if I’m wrong). However, in the recent Matt Reeves film, The Batman, Gordon is played by the amazingly talented Jeffrey Wright, and with Matt Reeves being a producer on this series, it wouldn’t surprise me if they went this route to give a slight nod to that universe. We also almost had our first black Barbara Gordon in the currently shelved Batgirl movie that starred Leslie Grace as Barbara Gordon, but unfortunately we will probably never get the chance to see that film.
Lastly, we have a female version of The Penguin, named Oswalda Cobblepot. I actually loved this portrayal of the character, as most versions portray The Penguin as almost a dope at times, but Oswalda is a vicious, savage criminal who doesn’t even care about her own children, of which she has two in this. She’s a beast of a woman who can hold her own against Batman, and even outsmarts him in the end, which I wasn’t expecting.
Since we are talking about a Batman series, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the titular character, voiced by Hamish Linklater (Midnight Mass, Legion). Now, while Kevin Conroy will forever be the true voice of Batman, I feel that Linklater did a great job here, with his voice being a bit reminiscent of Jensen Ackles’ Batman voice from the various animated films. It may not have quite the same gravitas of Conroy’s, but it absolutely works here.
We also got to see some other well-known Batman characters in this first episode, such Rupert Thorne and the two Harvey’s — Bullock and Dent. This is a pre-Two-Face Dent (though he does have his signature two-headed coin), and a dirty Bullock, both of whom I’m excited to see more from in future episodes.
The final thing I want to say in this section is how, even though it’s Batman, he has his flaws, and we get to see them, which I loved. Even at the end, he admits he failed, but vows never to let it happen again. I’m curious if that will stick or not. He’s not perfect, and doesn’t claim to be, and with this being his early years, he is most likely still driven mainly by his emotions, which could get him into some sticky situations.
Negatives
I thought this was a fantastic first episode and can’t wait to see what comes next!
Verdict
Overall, Batman: Caped Crusader 1×01 was a perfect start to this new series. It drops us right into the world and lets us catch up as the episode moves along, similar to how BTAS started. I am so excited for what’s coming up with characters like Harley Quinn and Onomatopoeia, and am looking forward to those yet to be revealed.
Score: 5/5
