Prime’s New Batman Show Is The Perfect Dark Knight For The Cartoon Network Generation [Review]

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Following the surprising success of Merry Little Batman two years ago, Mike Roth and the team at DC are back with a full season series, Bat-Fam. As the title suggests, the show centers on the relationships within Batman’s (voiced by Luke Wilson) unconventional family. Roth’s experience on beloved cartoons like Regular Show, Rugrats, and SpongeBob SquarePants shines through, giving the series a wonderfully nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic Cartoon Network shows.

The latest version of this story features Damian Wayne (Yonas Kibreab), also known as “Little Batman,” taking the lead, and debuted during the 2023 holiday season. Joining him are familiar faces like Alfred (James Cromwell), his niece Alicia (London Hughes), and the reformed villain Volcana (Haley Tju), alongside some surprising additions like the ghost of Ra’s Al Ghul (Michael Benyaer), Man-Bat (Bobby Moynihan), and a cat named Selina Kyle (who isn’t connected to the famous Catwoman). Rather than a traditional Batman adventure, it feels more like a fresh take on The Addams Family, and that’s a good thing. Judging it on its own terms, Bat-Fam is genuinely enjoyable.

Score: 4/5

Pros Cons
It’s funny and the episodic storylines are fast-paced and genuinely entertaining. The after-school special moralizing is a little on-the-nose.
The new versions of old DC characters are great. Damian occasionally gets a little Scrappy Doo.
The art style is suitably weird, and becomes immensely charming.
Patrick Stump’s theme song is brilliant.

This Is Not Your Typical Batman, But It’s Not A Deconstruction

Many online criticisms of unique artistic styles claim that deconstruction is a pointless modern fad and that we should simply appreciate things as they traditionally are. Setting aside the flaws in that reasoning, Bat-Fam successfully combines unusual visuals with a clear passion for and understanding of DC Comics history. The story doesn’t try to portray characters as helpless victims, even when it playfully exaggerates some of their flaws – like making Man-Bat more humorous.

The humor doesn’t come at the expense of good acting; the voice performances are excellent, particularly from SNL’s Moynihan and James Cromwell. While no one delivers a performance quite as iconic as Mark Hamill’s Joker, that’s rare in any animated series. Michael Benyaer is fantastic as the consistently frustrated Ra’s Al Ghul, and the show smartly relies on experienced voice actors like Fred Tatasciore instead of just casting celebrities for a quick boost.

Luke Wilson’s portrayal of Batman is especially noteworthy. He maintains respect for the character, but presents a Bruce Wayne unlike any we’ve seen in live-action films – largely because his version has a son and the resulting anxieties. Wilson delivers a warmer, gentler performance with good intentions, and like Keaton before him, avoids using a gravelly ‘Bat-voice’ to keep the tone appropriate for younger audiences. This creates a Batman who’s also a dad, but still fully capable in action sequences. This approach will be a fascinating comparison point for James Gunn’s upcoming The Brave & The Bold, if the creative team continues with the father-son relationship.

Bat-Fam Works Best As Cartoon Network-Like Throw-Away Fun

While “Bat-Fam” references some obscure DC Comics history in surprising ways, it doesn’t get overly complex or self-referential like some upcoming DC shows. That’s perfectly okay, though! The show has a playful, cartoonish vibe reminiscent of “Dexter’s Laboratory,” largely due to the character of Damian Wayne. The unusual family dynamic also feels like a clever nod to “The Addams Family,” with Man-Bat filling a similar role to Uncle Fester. This combination makes for a funny show with well-done action scenes.

Honestly, even though it’s not super long, this show is packed with detail! The stories are really well done, and each episode, clocking in at just over 20 minutes, feels like a complete little adventure. As a fan, it reminds me a lot of the classic Adam West Batman series – the way each episode feels self-contained and they bring back villains is so fun. Knowing they’re pulling from the DC universe and wondering who will show up next – or even just get a mention – is a huge part of the appeal for me. It’s a really nostalgic experience, even though the whole season drops at once instead of weekly!

The show’s theme song, with its catchy pop-punk vibe, is a real standout – a much better fit than simply bringing back the old Batman theme, though it’s fun to hear Bruce occasionally hum that classic tune to motivate himself. I think it’s good enough to add to my Spotify playlist, and it highlights the surprisingly high production quality, which you might not expect given the artist’s style. If you’re looking for something fresh, Bat-Fam delivers, but it also manages to feel comfortably familiar. And, given how dark and intense Matt Reeves’ The Batman is, this show is currently one of the best options for younger DC fans.

I’m so excited – all 10 episodes of Bat-Fam are finally out on Prime! I’ve already started watching and I’m really enjoying it. What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear what you think, so let’s chat about it over on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-11-10 17:18