Award-winning comic book writer Ed Brubaker has joined the staff of the upcoming animated series Batman: Caped Crusader.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Brubaker is attached as head writer and executive producer on the series, alongside Bruce Timm, J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves, as well as co-producer James Tucker. "Here's something few people know, but the original Batman: The Animated Series was one of the things that made me want to write superhero comics in general, and Batman in particular," Brubaker said in a statement. He acknowledged series writer Bruce Timm and "all the talented writers and artists did with that show."
Brubaker continued that what really sold him on the show was Timm, Abrams and Reeves's vision for Caped Crusader. He described it as "slightly more pulpy take on the character, and a new way of looking at the world of Gotham, set in the past but viewed through a modern lens." Describing the experience working on the project, he said, "So far every part of it has been a blast to work on." He teased, "I can't wait until the rest of the world can see what we've been building the last few months in the writers room. All I can say is, it's not what anyone is expecting…but in a good way."
In addition to his work for DC, Brubaker is known for his character-defining run on Captain America, which introduced the Winter Soldier, covered Cap's time during Civil War and featured the death and eventual return of Steve Rogers. He is also known for his creator-owned crime fiction series, including The Fade Out, Fatale and multiple volumes of Criminal. Over his career, Brubaker has won seven Eisner Awards and two Harvey Awards, as well as being nominated for several more.
Caped Crusader was announced in May of last year. The series is described as a "reimagining of the Batman mythology" that will "reinvent Batman and his iconic rogue’s gallery with sophisticated storytelling, nuanced characters and intense action sequences all set in a visually striking world." Timm described the show as "more Batman: The Animated Series than Batman: The Animated Series," returning the Dark Knight to his more noir-inspired roots and allowing for more mature stories and themes than was allowed in an early '90's children's show.
Batman: Caped Crusader will debut on Cartoon Network and HBO Max sometime in 2023.
Source: THR