2024: A Game-Changer for the Batman Franchise
The release of several major Batman-related properties in 2024 has revealed an exciting truth about the franchise going forward. While it’s difficult to imagine Batman as anything other than one of Warner Bros and DC’s most lucrative IPs, recent developments have shown that the Batman mythos has a surprising amount of potential outside of live-action films.
The success of properties such as 1992’s Batman: The Animated Series, the first four Arkham video games, and 2019’s Joker demonstrate that the franchise can thrive in various mediums. The recent focus on Batman’s supporting characters and villains, such as The Penguin and Joker, has also been successful.
In 2024, the release of The Penguin and Joker: Folie à Deux, two properties that do not feature Batman himself, have shown that the franchise can go beyond live-action movie adaptations. While not all of these releases have been met with widespread critical acclaim, they have proven that the franchise has a lot of creative potential.
The expansion of the Tim Burton Batman timeline, with the release of Batman: Resurrection and the ongoing Batman ’89: Echoes comic series, has also been a highlight of 2024. The first season of Batman: Caped Crusader, which debuted in 2024, received a largely positive reception, and the announcement of a Clayface film set in the new DC Universe is an exciting development.
In conclusion, 2024 has shown that the Batman franchise is more versatile and creative than ever before, with many exciting developments on the horizon. With its rich history and diverse range of characters, the franchise is in a strong position to continue to thrive for years to come.