2024 saw the release of several majorBatman-related properties and while not all of them were successful, they did reveal an exciting truth about theBatmansub-franchise going forward. While it is difficult to image Batman as anything other than one of Warner Bros and DC’s most lucrative IPs nowadays, this only became the case somewhat recently.1989’sBatmanand 2008’sThe Dark Knightcemented Batman as one of superhero fiction’s most popular and marketable characters, but 2024 proved that theBatmanmythos have a surprising amount of potential outside of Batman movie adaptations.
Of course, there have been a plethora of successful Batman adaptations outside of the realm of live-action films. 1992’sBatman: The Animated Seriesand the first fourArkhamvideo games are considered among the most successful superhero properties in the mediums of animation and video games, respectively. More recently, however, areBatmanadaptations that do not focus on Batman himself, but rather his supporting characters and villains, with 2019’sJokerbeing one of the most notable examples.
2024 Saw Multiple Releases That Owe Everything To Batman
It’s A Great Time For Batman Fans Even Without The Dark Knight
In 2024, two of the biggest DC Comics screen adaptations were based on theBatmanmythos but were not live-action films centering on Batmanhimself. In September,The Penguin– which spun off from Matt Reeves’s 2022 filmThe Batman– was released, serving as an interquel between the first film and the forthcomingThe Batman – Part II. October saw the release ofJoker: Folie à Deux, the sequel to 2019’sJoker. Both properties, notably, do not include any appearances by Batman himself. There was also a new addition to Tim Burton’s Batman timeline, thanks toBatman: Resurrection’s release.
Batman Fandom Is Way Richer For Not Limiting Releases
Notably,Joker: Folie à DeuxandThe Penguindid not earn the same reception among critics and viewers. WhileThe Penguinwas acclaimed for its characterization of the titular villain and its realistic portrayal of Gotham City’s underworld,Folie à Deuxwas divisive to the point of being considered by many to be a critical failure. Nevertheless, both properties have proven thattheBatmanfranchise can go well beyond live-actionBatmanmovie adaptations.
10 Reasons The Penguin Works As A Villain Story, When The Joker 2 Doesn’t
The Batman’s spinoff, The Penguin, has been met with praise, and there are many reasons why the DC show works as a villain story where Joker 2 failed.
2024 also saw the continued expansion of one Tim BurtonBatmantimeline, with theBatman ’89: Echoescomic series continuing and the release of John Jackson Miller’sBatman: Resurrection, which bridges the gap between the 1989 film andBatman Returns. The first season ofBatman: Caped Crusaderalso debuted in 2024 and was met with a largely positive reception. With these releases – and the announcement of aClayfacefilm set in the new DC Universe –2024 has shown how creatively malleable theBatmanmythos truly is.
