The free, virtual DC FanDome on Saturday offered plenty of exciting updates for animation fans of all ages, including a flurry of activity during the morning’s family-targeted focus, as well as creative insight into the upcoming Batman: Caped Crusader and details on the Catwoman: Hunted movie for big kids.
The youngest DC fans kicked off the day with their own special experience in DC Kids FanDome. With Robin and the Teen Titans as their guide, alongside special co-host Nandi Bushell, kids and their parents explored the DC Multiverse and caught sneak peeks and exclusive reveals for upcoming DC animated shows, movies, video games and more. Select portions of DC Kids FanDome are now available to stream on demand on HBO Max, the DC Kids YouTube channel and Roblox.
- Aquaman: King of Atlantis – Making a splash at DC Kids FanDome was an exclusive sneak peek clip from the second episode (“Chapter Two: Primordeus”) of the new animated mini-series event airing Thursday, October 21 on HBO Max. “Talking to the Fish” from the Aquaman: King of Atlantis Soundtrack is available to stream or purchase here.
- Batwheels – Series stars Jacob Bertrand (Cobra Kai) and AJ Hudson (The Good Place) provided a sneak peek at the upcoming preschool animated action-adventure comedy series featuring the most heroic and iconic vehicles from the DC universe. Batwheels will be coming to Cartoonito on HBO Max and Cartoon Network in 2022, but fans can get started on the action now by customizing their own unique vehicle at the “Batwheels By You” Digital Experience.
- DC Super Hero Girls – The Joker makes his highly anticipated debut this season and DC Kids FanDome gave a sneak peek at the Clown Prince of Crime’s episode before it premieres on Cartoon Network on Sunday, 10/24 at 8 a.m. ET/PT. Music from Season 2 of the animated series is available to stream or purchase here.
- Robin and co. had lots of news to share, including the launch of Teen Titans Go! Season 1-6 on HBO Max, first looks at the Teen Titans Go! X DC Super Hero Girls movie (Cartoon Network, 2022) and the half-hour special featuring the Doom Patrol coming later this year to CN. The livestream capped off with a never-before-seen episode of TTG! in honor of Wonder Woman’s 80th Anniversary.
Discussing the upcoming HBO Max / Cartoon Network series Batman: Caped Crusader, exec producer Bruce Timm revealed that this project will be “more Batman: The Animated Series than Batman: The Animated Series,” as it returns to the original, more adult concept for B:TAS. Timm’s vision is being backed up by EPs J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves and co-EP James Tucker. The series is being produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Bad Robot Prod. and 6th & Idaho.
Tucker, an established DC animation storyteller, noted that Caped Crusader will explore the evolution of Batman’s character from multiple angles — from trialing designs for the iconic Batmobile to figure out who will be his allies in the fight against crime in Gotham: “Nothing is assumed in this series as far as what we’re used to seeing in the world of Batman,” he notes. This iteration will also offer more representative diversity in the character line up, according to Timm. Tucker added that Timm’s pitch referred back to the Strange Days short produced for Batman’s 75th anniversary and that heavily noir-tinged world is a major inspiration for the new show — but don’t worry, Caped Crusader will not be in black and white (unless we get a very retro special).
Everyone’s favorite felonious feline takes action, adventure and theft to new heights – and in an entrancing anime style – in Catwoman: Hunted, an all-new DC Animated Movie. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, the feature-length animated film is set for release on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack (SRP $29.99 U.S. / $34.99 Canada), Blu-ray ($24.99 / $29.99) and Digital on February 8.
In the movie, Catwoman’s attempt to steal a priceless jewel puts her squarely in the crosshairs of both a powerful consortium of villains and the ever-resourceful Interpol, not to mention Batwoman. It might just be enough to contain her. Or not. Special features include new featurette When the Hunter Becomes the Hunted (DC experts break down the history of each villain on Selina Kyle’s tail) and documentary Catwoman: The Feline Femme Fatale.
Elizabeth Gillies (Dynasty, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, Vacation) and Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, In The Heights) lead the cast as the voices of Catwoman and Batwoman, respectively. Also featured is Jonathan Banks as Black Mask, Steve Blum as Solomon Grundy, Lauren Cohan as Julia Pennyworth, Keith David as Tobias Whale, Zehra Fazal as Talia al Ghul and Nosferata, Jonathan Frakes as King Faraday and Boss Moxie, Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Barbara Minerva/Cheetah, Kelly Hu as Cheshire, Andrew Kishino as Mr. Yakuza and Domino 6, Eric Lopez as Domino 1, Jacqueline Obradors as La Dama and Ron Yuan as Doctor Tzin. Directed by Shinsuke Terasawa (Gintama, Yo-kai Watch) from a script penned by Greg Weisman (Young Justice, Gargoyles). Producer is Ethan Spaulding (Mortal Kombat Legends: Battle of the Realms) and exec producer is Sam Register.
The 2022 releases also include two new entries to the popular DC Universe movies and DC Animated Movies canons – Green Lantern: Beware My Power and Battle of the Super Sons – as well as a film for younger fans, Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse. The year will also see the presentation of DC Showcase – Constantine: House of Mystery, the latest compilation of animated shorts anchored by a story involving the Hellblazer himself; and the highly anticipated 4K Ultra HD release of Batman: The Long Halloween – Deluxe Edition, which ramps up the R-rated action across both halves of the acclaimed film, now melded together as one dynamic thriller.
Fans were finally given their first look at the highly-anticipated Young Justice: Phantoms, the fourth season of the hit animated series. In true Young Justice fashion, the trailer was action-packed and full of surprises — with the biggest surprise coming in the end when it was announced that the first two episodes of Phantoms are now streaming on HBO Max. Following this surprise drop, new episodes will be available every Thursday (beginning October 21), streaming exclusively on HBO Max. Based on characters from DC, Young Justice: Phantoms is produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Greg Weisman, Brandon Vietti and Sam Register serve as executive producers.
Teasers & Trailers from the Live-Action Multiverse:
- Batwoman S3 “Batwoman & Alice” Trailer (The CW)
- Doom Patrol S3 Mid-Season Trailer (HBO Max)
- Naomi First Look (The CW)
- Peacemaker Teaser (HBO Max)
- Stargirl Sneak Peek (The CW)
- Titans S3 Finale Sneak Peek (HBO Max)
