beware the batman

Sam Register confirmed the title of the next animated Batman series, due in 2013. Register, executive vice president for creative affairs at Warner Bros. Animation, closed the MIP Junior conference in Cannes, France on Sunday, October 2nd, 2011, with a keynote address on upcoming Warner Bros. Animation plans. MIP Junior is an intensive two-day conference agenda of debates, interactive workshops, pitching and matchmaking sessions that update executives and consumers on the latest developments in kids entertainment. With a new Batman theatrical feature slated for next year, Register says it was synergy to bring about a new Batman animated series.

The next Batman animated series, debuting in 2013, is titled Beware the Batman. According to Register, the CGI animated series will spotlight a classic-looking Batman teaming up with a gun-toting Alfred Pennyworth and a female ninja sidekick. Beware the Batman is executive-produced by Glen Murakami, and will explore the mythology’s more obscure villains, such as Professor Pyg, but also won’t shy away from featuring some of the more well-known Batman foes.

Concerning villains slated to appear in the series, Register commented, “We went in deeper into the villain library and pulled out some other villains. 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,” he concluded.

In the series, Batman will team up with a younger female sidekick named Katana. During the keynote, Register added that Katana will fill the sidekick role, but won’t be a replacement for Robin.

“Katana is gonna be his new Robin, but not necessarily,” Register said.

Register also revealed new details about the forthcoming DC Nation block during his keynote address. Register states Cartoon Network has a three-year deal with Warner Bros. Animation and DC Comics to make material for the upcoming block. Highlights include Aardman Animation creating new claymation Batman shorts, Plastic Man animated shorts, and the creator behind My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic working on a series of animated shorts teaming Wonder Girl, Batgirl, Supergirl called Super Best Friends Forever. Additionally, there is also a series of Doom Patrol animated shorts in production. The block will also host a series of behind-the-scenes videos, special interviews, and much more. DC Nation, slated to run for at least three years on Cartoon Network, will debut in Spring 2012 with Young Justice and Green Lantern: The Animated Series.

Stay tuned for further updates, including exclusive content and much more, right here at The World’s Finest.

Discuss Beware the Batman on The DC Animation Forum!

Discuss DC Nation on The DC Animation Forum!