With the introduction of Gotham City and Kate Kane/Batwoman to the CW’s Arrowverse, audiences are no doubt wondering if the Dark Knight himself will make an appearance. And while Bruce Wayne will be referenced throughout the series, the producers of Batwoman have no intentions of bringing the Caped Crusader into the fold.
Executive producer Sarah Schechter said, “It’s a post-Batman Gotham City … What is it like after these heroes leave?” In Batwoman’s entry into the Arrowverse, the Elseworlds crossover event, Kate Kane tells the team that Batman has been gone from Gotham City for three years.
Schechter followed up by saying, “Batman is missing. What does that do when your heroes are gone and who steps into that void? What’s great about the restriction of just focusing on Batwoman is that we have to build a world for our character. It’s a character that people don’t really know.”
And even though Batman is AWOL, Batwoman will still have access to various Gotham City institutions, as well as the Bat’s iconic Rogues Gallery of villains. After all, Gotham featured a baby Bruce Wayne but still had plenty of Bat-references to mine. I won’t be missing a Bat-cameo on the series, mainly because it’s Kate’s story and that’s what we’re here for.
Another reason I’m fine with Batman staying out of sight? I don’t want Batwoman to get crowded out of her own series, a fate that often befalls Supergirl when Superman drops in for an appearance.
Don’t get me wrong, I find Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman to be a delightful, true-to-form take on the character. And Bitsie Tulloch’s turn as Lois Lane was a solid outing. Would I watch a show with the two of them living it up on Argo City? Sure, why not. But whenever Superman shows up on Supergirl, he ends up stealing focus from our titular heroine.
Last year’s crossover event Elseworlds saw Kara Danvers sidelined from the action, despite being canonically more powerful than Supes (in this series, at least). It was frustrating to see Supergirl spend most of Elseworlds in a prison cell, playing second fiddle to her cousin, Barry Allen, and Oliver Queen.
Supergirl functions just fine without Clark Kent, and Batwoman will easily do the same without Batman. Both characters are plenty compelling in their own right and don’t necessitate a male explainer. And besides, there are plenty of television series and films to watch if you’re craving a Superman or Batman fix.
Just don’t watch Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice because that movie is trash. Or if you do, make like I do and just fast-forward to all the Wonder Woman scenes.
(via The Wrap, image: Jack Rowand/The CW)
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