5 Alternate Versions of Batman That Could Carry an Entire TV Series Like Spider-Man Noir

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After a gap of over 50 years, Prime Video and Sony Pictures Television are bringing Spider-Man to television with a new live-action series. While not directly connected to the Spider-Verse movies, the upcoming Spider-Noir show draws inspiration from the expansive Marvel multiverse. Nicolas Cage stars as Spider-Man, playing a version of the character he previously voiced in an animated film. This series is unique because it focuses on a single alternate universe as the foundation for the entire show – something rarely seen, especially in live-action superhero content.

Spider-Man isn’t the only superhero with many different versions existing across alternate universes. DC Comics, home to Batman and Superman, also features countless alternate takes on these iconic heroes. In fact, different versions of Batman are incredibly popular, and one alternate reality Batman comic recently became a best-seller for over a year. It’s likely we’ll see an alternate universe Batman lead a TV series soon, and several versions would be a great fit.

5) Jurassic League Batman

The comic The Jurassic League presents a surprisingly compelling alternate universe – a world of dinosaur versions of classic superheroes, and it’s a wonder why this concept hasn’t been explored sooner. The series features Bat Walker, an allosaurus who embodies Batman and defends Growltham City from villains like the Dilophosaurus, Jokerzard. He even has a human sidekick and uses stone batarangs! Though the comic only ran for seven issues, the Jurassic League universe – and the idea of a scaly, prehistoric Batman – feels perfectly suited as a TV show concept. Given the success of Primal on Adult Swim, a similar series starring a dinosaur Batman seems like a guaranteed hit.

4) Owlman of Earth-3

A well-known alternate version of Batman completely departs from the usual Bat-themes. This version comes from Earth-3, a DC Universe reality where heroes are villains and vice versa. Here, the Justice League is the Crime Syndicate, and Batman is known as Owlman. Like the original Batman, Owlman’s origin involves the death of his family during a mugging – in this case, his brother Bruce is killed alongside his parents. This tragedy drives him to control Gotham City through fear and intimidation.

The Batman universe is incredibly popular and recognizable, so it’s interesting to see a series that completely reimagines it. This show features heroic versions of villains, corrupted heroes, and characters like The Joker who blur the lines, all while opposing a villainous Owlman. While it’s understandable why a company might hesitate to make an evil Batman the main character, viewers have shown they enjoy both Batman and complex, morally gray characters on television.

3) The Atomic Knights of Justice

This Batman comes from Earth-17, a world destroyed by nuclear war and now a barren wasteland. He teams up with the Atomic Knights of Justice – including alternate versions of heroes like Adam Strange, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, and Wonder Woman – to defend Novamerika against mutants, monsters, and evil scientists. Currently, the team is searching for a powerful artifact called the Cosmic Grail, hoping it will give them the power to defeat Darkseid.

This version of Batman feels like a blend of the Fallout video game series and Stephen King’s The Dark Tower – Batman even directly references the tower in one comic book appearance. It’s a stark departure from the traditional hero, presenting a grim, determined Batman who is simply “Batman,” with no secret identity. This post-apocalyptic take, equipped with thermal weapons, feels ripe for further development, especially given the current popularity of Fallout.

2) Gotham by Gaslight

The alternate Batman story, Gotham By Gaslight, has been a hit with fans for over thirty years. It reimagines Batman in Victorian London, originally pitting him against a version of Jack the Ripper – a compelling storyline that could easily support an entire TV season. Beyond that central conflict, the world features unique takes on familiar characters like a steampunk-inspired Mr. Freeze. What really sets Gotham By Gaslight apart from other stories at DC and Marvel (like Spider-Noir) is its distinctive historical setting. The enduring popularity of this alternate universe means DC continues to create new stories within it, providing a solid foundation for a potential TV series.

1) Flashpoint Batman

The Flashpoint universe is a well-known alternate take on the Batman story. It imagines a world where a small change – Bruce Wayne being killed as a child – leads to drastically different heroes. In this reality, Bruce’s father, Thomas Wayne, becomes Batman. He’s far more brutal in his methods and eventually tries to destroy his entire universe in a desperate attempt to resurrect his son.

The Flashpoint storyline offers a fantastic foundation for a TV series. Imagine Martha Wayne as the villain, mirroring The Joker, but driven to madness by the death of her son, Bruce. Add to that a ruthless Emperor Aquaman locked in a never-ending war against Queen Diana and her Amazons, and a unique take on Shazam – six kids combining their powers to form a single hero. The potential for storytelling is huge, which explains why this alternate DC universe has remained so popular for over fifteen years.

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2026-03-14 16:11