Cartoon Network is launching a new one-hour block of programming in spring of 2012 called DC Nation, which will feature the currently running Young Justice and the upcoming Green Lantern: The Animated Series. Come 2013, however, the CGI animated series Beware the Batman will join the party.
The announcement was made at the MIP Junior showcase over the weekend in Cannes, France.
Right now the Dark Knight can be seen in the lighter, guest spot-centric Batman: The Brave and the Bold series – which is set to wrap up its three-year run soon. Much like Batman: Brave and the Bold, Beware the Batman will feature appearances from some of DC’s lesser-known characters.
For starters, one of the main villains Batman is set to face off against will be Professor Pyg and the Circus of the Strange – who were recently inducted into the caped crusader’s rogues gallery during Grant Morrison’s epic Batman arc.
According to Sam Register, executive vice president for creative affairs at Warner Bros. Animation, “We didn’t want to do another Joker story – there’s too many of them. We just needed to do something new, so we’re starting off with new villains.”
More interestingly, though, further changes will come in the form of Batman’s supporting cast. Apparently, in lieu of the Robin character, viewers will see Katana – a sword-wielding samurai from the DCU, currently starring in the DCnU version of Birds of Prey. Also, in a move that is sure to have many a Bat-fan puzzled, Alfred Pennyworth appears to be joining Bruce Wayne’s crusade against crime with some two-fisted handgun action.
Register touched on the lack of Bruce Wayne’s ward by cryptically stating, “Katana is going to be his new Robin – but not necessarily.” Register did not offer insight to the gun-toting Alfred, however.
Before Beware the Batman hits Cartoon Network in 2013, the ambitious DC Nation will have already been a year old. The entertainment block will be anchored around core episodic programming like the Young Justice, Green Lantern: The Animated Series and Beware the Batman, but DC Nation is also slated to become a one-stop shop for fans of the overall DC universe.
For starters, the network plans to air a multitude of different animated shorts from the likes of Aardman Animations featuring Batman in the company’s trademark style, while another set of shorts will highlight DC characters like Wonder Girl, Batgirl and Supergirl in Super Best Friends Forever. Finally, for the die-hards, Plastic Man will get some much-needed face time, while Doom Patrol will be featured in a series of action-oriented shorts.
DC Nation will also bring the world of comics to the fans through a series of live-action news shorts that will range from interviews with top DC brass like Jim Lee, to brief stories on every-day folks who have a unique passion for comics and the DCU.
The ambitious project should help to introduce DC’s vast array of characters to a whole new audience, and help pave the way for more feature films or television series like the upcoming Deadman and The Spectre series Warner Bros. has planned.
In the meantime, fans can catch a sneak preview of Green Lantern: The Animated Series this November on Cartoon Network, before the series debuts as part of DC Nation in the spring of 2012.
-
Stay tuned as more info regarding Beware the Batman and DC Nation becomes available.
Source: The World’s Finest
‘Anchorman 2′ Trailers Tease the Return of Ron Burgundy’s News Team [Updated] 
Hugh Jackman Reveals Summer Start Date for ‘Wolverine 2′ 
Rumor Patrol: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson to Play a DC Comics Superhero? 
‘Supernatural’ Season 8 – Will You Be Tuning In? 
Loading ...
You know if they were having the gaming company that does the animation for Arkham City doing the animation I would be totally for a cgi Batman series.
Considering everyone looks like musclebound freaks thanks to the Unreal engine, I say no thanks
+1
Did you see the reveal trailer? And who said they would use the game engine to do the show? I would love that kind of cg.
Wow and I thought I had no interest in Brave and the bold this sounds horrible. If the above is indication is what it will look like yikes. Batman looks terrible.
Also Alfred walking around with a Shotgun backing up Batman? Seriously? That’s just wrong. Whats up with the ninja side kick?
Everything about this just sounds and looks bad. Ok it’s not Batman TAS or Beyond I can accept that, but the way this sounds this makes The Batman look like the best cartoon ever.
They should just air TAS and Beyond again, wouldn’t cost them a penny and it would undoubtedly be better quality.
I like Batman, but another series? All the changes are natural bc the regular storyline is played out. It’s just a money grab to try & capitalize on Batman’s popularity.
Bruce Wayne would NOT approve of Alfred’s use of guns.
Actually it has been shown in the past (in the comics) that Alfred is the only member of the Bat family that Batman allows to use guns.
Gareth Bruce allows Alfred to have a gun in the house to protect him self and the house while he is away. He doesn’t allow Alfred to walk around with it. He doesn’t allow Alfred to help him hunt bad guys with it. Alfred never even uses it he simply has it. I think he’s held it maybe once in the last 20 years ?
This is a stupid idea. There are piety if Robins they could use. Including Stephanie Brown if you had to have a female. Or they could use Tim or Damian who we have never had animated. And Alfred walking around like he’s in a John Woo movie is ridiculous. And I like John Woo movies! Why does DC always take 2 steps forward and 5 steps back.
Actually, Tim Drake was in The New Batman Animated Series (which unfortunately isn’t quite new anymore).
I think it would be interesting if they did a series on the Dick Grayson and Damian Batman and Robin run.
Heck. Yes.
Tim has been used actually.
You know, there’s a fine line between being unique and being stupid. It sounds like this show will be on the wrong side of that line.
I’m excited and curious to see what they do with this series. The style of the animation and several of the story elements are indeed peculiar, but at this early juncture, they serve more to heighten my anticipation for the episodes and the story they’ll tell across the initial (hoping the series is good and continues) season. Though I love the character of Robin, I think seeing the dynamic between Batman and Katana (I’ve always thought she was great as a member of The Outsiders) will be fascinating and certainly a change from the norm…something which so many people have said they want for a lot of these properties.
As for Alfred wielding guns to help out Bruce, yes, that does seem strange…at first. Remember, though, that Alfred DOES have a military background, and I would imagine that he and Bruce would have discussed (or will in the first couple of episodes) that ANY gun-toting will be in a purely back-up/support capacity and ALWAYS non-fatal. Plus, who knows if it will be a continuing or even consistent aspect of the show.
I can’t wait to see this.
Oh, and the animation style actually is great, because I love the various series having individual and unique takes on the mythos.
No! just, no. Terrible idea and who ever greenlit this should be ashamed of themselves.
“Beware” the Batman indeed.
With all the good interpretations of batman dc has in it’s history and instead of goin with one of those, cartoon network creates this embarrassment. Good going.
This is going to be very exciting. Seeing as 2013 is bit of a ways off I’m hoping that Warner Brothers will give us a teaser trailer.
I’m looking forward to this show as the concept of a new sidekick (Katana) has me tingling with excitement! Oh, and Alfred with guns? That’s just incredible!
The current Batman animated series is terrible, with bad animation and even worse story line, if you call a 15 minute episode a story line. If this up coming rendition is not well written then the “unique” artwork will only hinder it not help.
I forgot about Jason/Tim hybrid.
This idea is horrible on so many levels. Alfred may have been a soldier at some point but he is a 55-67 year old. He’s not going to be an action hero! Katana has never been nor would she ever be a Robin. If u needed a violent Robin there are 2 good ones who need some cartoon love.
People can be so ignorant and so willfully blind.
The show isn’t even out yet. Stop trashing on it. Haven an open mind, be open to change. I can almost guarantee that this show will indeed be very good. I’m looking forward to it with a calm and clear open mindset.
Batman featuring her as his sidekick in this isn’t new. Katanade debuted in The Brave and the Bold comics issue #200 in July 1983 and helped Batman in the book Batman and the Outsiders.
Batman, Batman, batman…….I gotta admit I’m a bit “Batmaned” out. They have been airing Batman related animated shows for what, 16 years now? I’m a bit tired of seeing all the same villain stories reintroduced, etc. Batman Beyond was actually a refreshing change (and why it was canceled I will never know) but after that we returned to the usual format.
I say PLEASE give it a rest. I would much rather see JLU style shows or something completely new and different. Is there really NO other DC character that can carry an animated show? (besides Superman and the upcoming GL series)
At least it’s not another show about queer a$$ vampires! Count your blessings!
With the single exception of The Clone Wars, CGI animated cartoons looks awful. The only reason Clone Wars looks so good is because of the massive ammount of money Lucasfilm slammed into it, this won’t be getting the same treatment. It will look like a 1990s video game.
Not to mention that the writing on the Clone Wars is better than most. They have actually developed the characters and given an identity to the Clone Troopers that Lucas with all his money and “talent” was unable to do. Hell they even made Anakin Skywalker likeable and instilled a sense of honor and integrity as to why he becomes who he does later in life.
All of the points that you guys are raising are good points. However, instead of just bashing ‘Beware The Batman’ let us at lest wait and see some footage.
I extremely disliked the concept art for Transformers Prime but now I’m enjoying the show quite a bit even if the CGI isn’t as good as that of Star Wars The Clone Wars. I also didn’t think that Green Lantern The Animated Series was going to be worth the time but after seeing yesterdays preview footage I’m willing to watch the new show and give it a fighting chance.
As Nintendo has proven with the Wii and DS, it isn’t always the graphics but the content that matters.
Cosmic, it’s not the graphics that get me, but the inconsistencies. I’ll admit, I’d love to see Professor Pyg finally in animation, but not having Robin as Batman’s partner is just… so wrong. It’s BATMAN AND ROBIN, the DYNAMIC DUO. If they wanted the female element, they could’ve used Stephanie, not some girl that no one will know about unless they’ve followed the comics. I have proof of that. When my ten year old brother and his friends saw me looking at images of this series, all they ask is “Is that Batgirl? Where’s Robin?” They don’t know the comics, so they don’t know Katana. They’ve been watching Young Justice and The Brave and the Bold, so they’re used to Dick and Barbara. They’re not likely to be part of the audience for this series when it finally premiers.
DickGrayson#1Fan…
Actually, Robin was added afterward, so the original idea was NOT any sort of duo…dynamic or otherwise. Batman has constantly fought within himself and with his cohorts about whether or not he actually wants or even needs anyone fighting at his side. Having Katana act as his sidekick (assistant? support system? something else?) is not by any means foreign to the concept of Batman, because she tends to be very independent and strong-willed. She should (if presented well, of course) make a good foil for both Bruce AND Alfred. As for kids not knowing who Katana is and wondering where Robin and Batgirl have gone, they’ll tune in for Batman. If they like how HE works in the show and enjoy watching, they will very easily transition to “new” or previously unheard characters. Having this interpretation of the mythos will provide viewers with some definite variety…which so MANY people have claimed they want.
Yeah, try telling that to my brother. The only reason he got into Young Justice was because Robin was going to be in it. He got bored with Brave and the Bold easily if Robin wasn’t in the episode that particular week. So naturally when I informed them that it didn’t look like Robin was going to be in this series, he got really upset.
Meanwhile, I’ve been following the comics for a while, so I know all about the Batman mythos and I’m willing to give it a shot (like I said, kinda curious about how they do Professor Pyg). But that doesn’t mean I’m not equally as upset about them upsetting the balance that they’ve been working with since 1940. There’s a reason they keep passing on the mantle: because Batman and Robin is a partnership that has proven time and again that it works! Messing with something like that could make or break a series. However, I am more than willing to watch a few episodes and see where it goes before passing final judgement.
Understandable…That’s all I was trying to say. It may, in fact, end up sucking to high Hell, but I am hoping it does not and will give it a chance.
lol at the title of the show. Oh indeed it should be “Beware the Batman.” I will beware this show alright and not watch it.
This looks ridiculous. I don’t see why they just can’t get Bruce Timm and co. to do another series. Since TAS and Beyond, Batman cartoons have subsequently gotten worse in animation and story. In fact anything after TAS and Beyond I can’t watch because the animation and direction is all wrong.
And why does Batman look like Preying Mantisman? Seriously, the art style on this sucks. Please tell me that’s not Killer Croc on the upper right of the pic above Rambo Alfred.(P.S. Batman HATES GUNS. That’s one of the whole reasons he BECOMES BATMAN because his parents died in particular to that weapon. Why the hell would he allow the arguably most trusted person in his life to tag along and use them?)
Well, from a design perspective just by the image here, it looks like crap! Whatever happened to a large menacing Batman? Instead we have what looks more like some flat head metrosexual in tights. This series I predict will crash & burn the death it deserves!
This is not going to be good.
Judging by the preview of the GL series, the animation is gonna be bad. Katana instead of Robin? Really? Alfred with guns backing up Batman? I thought Batman was against using guns.
Why couldn’t they greenlight that show that was going to have Nightwing, Damian, Catwoman, and Cassandra Cain? WHY?
Stylistically, this looks like it will involve quick cuts and fast-moving scenes. I think Batman and Katana look sleek, and Alfred can easily be fit enough to be able to effectively employ his soldiering skills. Although Bruce does not like guns, he implicitly trusts Alfred’s judgment in using themin certain instances…similar to how he trusts his ARMED Police Commissioner friend, Gordon. People, for some odd reason, always forget that Batman DOES work with people who use guns.
I think this looks like it can be great and am looking forward to it.
Heres hoping to it being cancelled after the first episode ! If they’re going to make batman animated series, don’t make it CGI. Second, why invent stupid storylines when theres already so many amazing batman stories.
I tried watching TAS on the WB website but it only has like 4 episodes. I want to watch em all!
WHY WHY WHY !!!! I am the biggest batman fan ever and love Batman TAS and Justice League. Oh ya and Batman and the Red Hood was frickin amazing. But what they just said about the new series and how the animation looks is totally brutal. I thought this was gonna be a Animated Batman Series geared towards adults. All I can say is “WOW”, I am so let down and was so looking forward to this. I will definitely not be watching this and I hope they come to their senses and cancel this crap before it airs. They should really start working on a Batman Series something similar to The Red Hood. I think that would be amazing and might even top Batman TAS.
I almost don’t mind the fact that Alfred wields guns. He is old, and it makes sense within that context (and the fact that he has taken up arms occasionally in the comics). Notice I said “Almost.” There will never be animation quality anywhere near the Arkhamverse games anytime soon for financial reasons. http://www.planetxbox360.com/article_9268/Game_Development_Budget_Somewhere_Around_25_Million
This is because non-comics fans play games too. Pretty much the only people who watch cartoons are fans(of the medium) and children. 2D animation is the best way to create vivid images on an underfunded level. The Clone Wars has fairly effective writing, and lighting effects to boot. But even that is flawed in regards to emotive facial characteristics.
As far as the complaint about tights. That has been Batman’s look for most of his existence (in pretty much every Batman comic ever). A significant part of me would also desire an adults-only Batman, but if movies, video games, and comics are often unsuitable for the little set, how are they going to keep up with a current incarnation of their favorite caped crusader? My main issue are the CGI character designs and Katana’s role in the show. It does look like they took the slimmed down designs for a young Batman from “The Batman” and elongated his ears. That comes across as lazy, to me. http://www.superherotimes.com/news/images/TheBatmanFrontDVD.JPG On the other hand, why do they have Katana replacing Robin? While I don’t doubt that she had assisted Batman occasionally, I am unsure of whether those authors would have intended to have her be a longterm partner with the Caped Crusader. After having at least four Robins to choose from, Dick Grayson (the original classic character), Jason Todd (could serve as a prequel for the Red Hood cartoon), Tim Drake ( a masterful genius, is considered more to be serious than Dick) and Damian Wayne (his son, which could probably make it a considerably more personal) I could be wrong, but it reeks of a gimmicky way to provide a strong female protagonist without creating a true BatFamily cartoon (with Batgirl involved). I hope that this revisionist interpretation does not send the message that Robin is lame. There are enough Robin-haters for crying out loud! After Brave and Bold, they should hold off on Batman and make a new Captain Marvel show or something ( I always loved the situation of a child “trapped” inside the body of a magical superhero). To me, popularity is circular. Something obscure becomes successful, which increases over time. But if DC’s lesser heroes cannot “break out” in media, DC will be trapped to their triunitarian A-list characters (namely Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.)
Well, this is just my opinion…but could what their trying to do here is make a Pulp fiction Batman?
oh the irony I mean batman the brave and the bold just ended pointing how quick fans are too judge and here they are doing it again.
Brave and the Bold is just plain awful.
Hmmm if that artwork is any indication of what the CG animation will look like then I’m not for this. I loved cartoons and animation, don’t get me wrong but this just doesn’t look good to me.
Well, I’m really shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but you have to admit, this show looks and sounds AWFUL (even that description is an understatement). I’m not going to make my final verdict until I see it, but I’m in NO WAY excited about it, which isn’t a good sign. Personally, they should have tried to revive BTAS in CGI, Bruce Timm would be on board I’m sure
Danny…
No, I really do NOT need to admit that…as I pointed out several times above. You really cannot speak for everyone…just for you.