Batwheels
Batwheels is an American computer-animated superhero children's television series that premiered on September 17, 2022, on HBO Max. It made its linear premiere on October 17, 2022 on Cartoon Network's preschool block Cartoonito.[2]
Batwheels | |
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![]() Promotional poster | |
Genre | |
Based on | |
Developed by | Michael G. Stern |
Directed by | Antoine Charreyron[1] |
Voices of |
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Theme music composer | Andy Sturmer |
Composer | Alex Geringas |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 32 |
Production | |
Executive producer | Sam Register |
Producers |
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Animator | Superprod Animation[1] |
Running time | 10–33 minutes |
Production companies |
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Release | |
Original network | Cartoon Network |
Original release | September 17, 2022 – present |
Plot
The Bat-Family's vehicles are brought to life by the Batcomputer to form the "Batwheels", a team led by the Batmobile or "Bam", to fight crime in Gotham City.
Characters
The Batwheels
- The Batmobile / Bam (voiced by Jacob Bertrand) - The insecure leader of the Batwheels.[3]
- Redbird / Red (voiced by Jordan Reed) - Robin's car and the youngest of the Batwheels.[3]
- Batgirl cycle / Bibi (voiced by Madigan Kacmar) - Batgirl's small but impulsive motorcycle.[3]
- Bat Truck / Buff (voiced by Noah Bentley) - A good-hearted monster truck who serves as the Batwheels' muscle.[3]
- The Batwing / Batwing / Wing (voiced by Lilimar) - Batman's sophisticated and confident supersonic jet.[3]
- The Batcomputer / BC (voiced by Kimberly D. Brooks) - The team's trainer, supervisor, dispatcher, and mother figure.[3]
- M.O.E. (voiced by Mick Wingert) - Short for Mobile Operation Expert, M.O.E. Batman's kindhearted yet sarcastic robot mechanic.[3]
The Bat-Family
- Bruce Wayne / Batman (voiced by Ethan Hawke) - A vigilante operating in Gotham City and father figure to the Batwheels.[3] Hawke previously turned down the role for Joel Schumacher's Batman Forever.[4]
- Duke Thomas / Robin (voiced by A.J. Hudson) - A mystery-loving member of the Bat-Family who wants to prove himself in the eyes of Batman.[3]
- Cassandra Cain / Batgirl (voiced by Leah Lewis) - A daredevil tech-savvy member of the Bat-Family, who serves as a "big sister" figure in the group.[3]
- Oliver Queen / Green Arrow (voiced by MacLeod Andrews) - A vigilante archer from Star City and a friend of Batman's. He operates in Star City.[5]
The Legion of Zoom
- Badcomputer (voiced by SungWon Cho) - An A.I. computer software inside a scoreboard who wants to replace the Bat Computer as the most powerful computer on Earth.[6]
- Crash (voiced by Tom Kenny) - Badcomputer's crash-dummy like robot minion.[6]
- Prank (voiced by Griffin Burns) - Joker's funny and pranking van.[6]
- Jestah (voiced by Alexandra Novelle) - Harley Quinn's fun-loving ATV.[6]
- Ducky (voiced by Ariyan Kassam) - Penguin's mischief-causing duck on a boat with wheels vehicle.[6]
- Quizz (voiced by Josey Montana McCoy) - Riddler's quiz-loving helicopter.[6]
- Snowy (voiced by Xolo Maridueña) - Mr. Freeze's bad but gentle snow crawler.[6]
The Rogues' Gallery
- The Joker (voiced by Mick Wingert) - Batman's archenemy and the self-proclaimed "Clown Prince of Crime".[6]
- Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn (voiced by Chandni Parekh) - Joker's partner-in-crime and girlfriend.[6]
- Oswald Cobblepot / The Penguin (voiced by Jess Harnell) - An elegant penguin-like criminal.[6]
- Edward Nigma / The Riddler (voiced by SungWon Cho) - A riddle-obsessed criminal.[6]
- Victor Fries / Mr. Freeze (voiced by Regi Davis) - An ice-themed supervillain with a mechanical suit.[6]
- Selina Kyle / Catwoman (voiced by Gina Rodriguez) - A cat-themed burglar.[6]
- Pamela Isley / Poison Ivy (voiced by Kailey Snider) - A plant-themed villain.[5]
- Jack Nimball / Toyman (voiced by James Arnold Taylor) - A toy-themed villain who is Superman's enemy.[6]
Minor
- Kitty (voiced by Kinza Khan) - Catwoman's playful cat car who likes to have fun.
- Goldie (voiced by Chandni Parekh) - Green Arrow's arrowplane who is Batwing's flying friend.
- A.D.A.M (voiced by Adam West with archived dialogue) - Batman's early Batmobile.
Episodes
No. | Title [7][8] | Directed by | Written by | Original air date [7][8] | Max release date [7] | Prod. code [7] | U.S. viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Secret Origin of the Batwheels" | Antoine Charreyron | Michael G. Stern | October 15, 2022 | September 17, 2022 | 101 | 0.10[9] |
2 | "Stop That Ducky" | Antoine Charreyron | Michael G. Stern | October 17, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | 102 | N/A |
3 | "Buff's BFF" | Antoine Charreyron | Craig Fernandez | October 17, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | 103 | N/A |
4 | "Up in the Air" | Antoine Charreyron | Patrick Rieger | October 17, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | 104 | N/A |
5 | "Bibi's Do-Over" | Antoine Charreyron | Sarah Eisenberg & Becky Wangberg | October 17, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | 105 | N/A |
6 | "Sidekicked to the Curb" | Antoine Charreyron | Michael G. Stern | October 17, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | 106 | N/A |
7 | "Keep Calm and Roll On" | Antoine Charreyron | Michael G. Stern | October 17, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | 107 | N/A |
8 | "Bam's Upgrade" | Antoine Charreyron | Michael G. Stern | October 17, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | 108 | N/A |
9 | "Redbird's Bogus Beach Day" | Antoine Charreyron | Sarah Eisenberg & Becky Wangberg | November 7, 2022 | November 8, 2022 | 109 | N/A |
10 | "Cave Sweet Cave" | Antoine Charreyron | Craig Fernandez | November 7, 2022 | November 8, 2022 | 110 | N/A |
11 | "Scaredy-Bat" | Antoine Charreyron | Andrew Guastaferro | November 14, 2022 | November 8, 2022 | 111 | N/A |
12 | "Riddle Me This" | Antoine Charreyron | Ryan Toyama | November 14, 2022 | November 8, 2022 | 112 | N/A |
13 | "Zoomsday" | Antoine Charreyron | Ryan Toyama | November 21, 2022 | November 22, 2022[lower-alpha 1] | 113 | N/A |
14 | "Rev and Let Rev" | Antoine Charreyron | Janae Hall | November 21, 2022 | November 22, 2022[lower-alpha 1] | 114 | N/A |
15 | "Batcomputer for a Day" | Antoine Charreyron | Patrick Rieger | November 28, 2022 | November 29, 2022[lower-alpha 1] | 115 | N/A |
16 | "Grass is Greener" | Antoine Charreyron | Patrick Rieger | November 28, 2022 | November 29, 2022[lower-alpha 1] | 116 | N/A |
17 | "Holidays on Ice" | Antoine Charreyron | Scott Gray | December 5, 2022 | December 6, 2022 | 117 | N/A |
18 | "Bam's Clawful Mistake" | Antoine Charreyron | Sarah Eisenberg & Becky Wangberg | May 1, 2023 | May 2, 2023 | 118 | 0.06[10] |
19 | "Harley Did It" | Antoine Charreyron | Scott Gray | May 1, 2023 | May 2, 2023 | 119 | 0.07[10] |
20 | "Buff in a China Shop" | Antoine Charreyron | Craig Carlisle | May 1, 2023 | May 2, 2023 | 120 | 0.07[10] |
21 | "A Tale of Two Bibis" | Antoine Charreyron | Craig Fernandez | May 1, 2023 | May 2, 2023 | 121 | N/A |
22 | "Batty Race" | Antoine Charreyron | Andrew Guastaferro | May 1, 2023 | May 2, 2023 | 122 | 0.07[10] |
23 | "When You're a Jet" | Antoine Charreyron | Sarah Eisenberg & Becky Wangberg | July 3, 2023 | July 4, 2023 | 123 | N/A |
24 | "Ride Along" | Antoine Charreyron | Ryan Toyama | July 10, 2023 | July 11, 2023 | TBA | N/A |
25 | "Wheels Just Want to Have Fun" | Antoine Charreyron | Jennifer Heftler | July 17, 2023 | July 18, 2023 | TBA | N/A |
26 | "Tough Buff Blues" | Antoine Charreyron | Andrew Guastaferro | July 24, 2023 | July 25, 2023 | TBA | N/A |
27 | "Wheel Side Story" | Antoine Charreyron | Andrew Guastaferro | July 31, 2023 | August 1, 2023 | TBA | N/A |
28 | "Ace in the Hole" | Antoine Charreyron | Andrew Guastaferro | September 11, 2023 | September 16, 2023 | 128 | 0.04[11] |
29 | "Mechanic Panic" | Antoine Charreyron | Jennifer Heftler | September 12, 2023 | September 16, 2023 | 129 | N/A |
30 | "Improvise My Ride" | Antoine Charreyron | Sarah Eisenberg & Becky Wangberg | September 13, 2023 | September 16, 2023 | 130 | 0.06[11] |
31 | "Dynamic Du-Oh-No" | Antoine Charreyron | Andrew Guastaferro | September 14, 2023 | September 16, 2023 | 131 | 0.07[11] |
32 | "To the Batmobile!" | Antoine Charreyron | Craig Fernandez | September 15, 2023 | September 16, 2023 | 132 | 0.06[11] |
TBA | "The Dark Night" | Antoine Charreyron | Ryan Toyama | TBA | September 16, 2023 | 133 | TBD |
TBA | "License to Joke" | Antoine Charreyron | Craig Fernandez | TBA | September 16, 2023 | 134 | TBD |
TBA | "Bibi's Bad Day" | Antoine Charreyron | Scott Gray | TBA | September 16, 2023 | 135 | TBD |
TBA | "A Jet Out of Water" | Antoine Charreyron | Ryan Toyama | TBA | September 16, 2023 | 136 | TBD |
TBA | "Batty Body Swap" | Antoine Charreyron | Ryan Toyama | TBA | September 16, 2023 | 137 | TBD |
Shorts
No. | Title [7][12][8] | Directed by | Written by | Original air date [7][12][8] | Max release date [7] | Prod. code [7] | U.S. viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Meet the Batwheels" | Michael Berardini and Antoine Charreyron | Michael G. Stern | September 5, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | MTB101 | N/A |
2 | "Calling All Batwheels" | Michael Berardini | Michael G. Stern | September 12, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | MTB102 | N/A |
3 | "Bam!" | Michael Berardini | Andrew Guastaferro | September 19, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | MTB103 | N/A |
4 | "Buff Tuff" | Michael Berardini | Andrew Guastaferro | September 26, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | MTB104 | N/A |
5 | "Faster" | Michael Berardini | Andrew Guastaferro | October 3, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | MTB105 | N/A |
6 | "Fly" | Michael Berardini | Andrew Guastaferro | October 10, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | MTB106 | N/A |
7 | "Spooky Batcave" | Michael Berardini | Michael G. Stern | October 17, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | MTB108 | N/A |
8 | "Robin's Ride" | Michael Berardini | Andrew Guastaferro | October 24, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | MTB107 | N/A |
9 | "Bam's Bubble Trouble" | Michael Berardini | Michael G. Stern | October 31, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | MTB109 | N/A |
10 | "Wheelin' and Dealin'" | Michael Berardini | Andrew Guastaferro | November 21, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | MTB110 | N/A |
11 | "Interview with a Crime Fighter" | Michael Berardini | Michael G. Stern | December 5, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | MTB111 | N/A |
12 | "The Best Present in the World" | Michael Berardini and Antoine Charreyron | Andy Sturmer | December 12, 2022 | December 13, 2022 | 112 | 0.06[11] |
13 | "Silly Stowaway" | Michael Beradini | Michael G. Stern | January 9, 2023 | June 16, 2023 | 113 | N/A |
14 | "The Knight Shift" | Michael Beradini | Andrew Guastaferro | February 13, 2023 | June 16, 2023 | 114 | N/A |
15 | "Rockin' Robin" | Michael Beradini | Michael G. Stern | March 6, 2023 | June 16, 2023 | 115 | N/A |
16 | "Bibi Bops" | Michael Beradini | Jennifer Heftler | April 10, 2023 | June 16, 2023 | 116 | N/A |
17 | "Batwingin' It" | Michael Beradini | Jennifer Heftler | May 15, 2023 | June 16, 2023 | 117 | 0.06[11] |
18 | "Bad to the Chrome" | Michael Beradini | N/A | June 5, 2023 | June 16, 2023 | 118 | N/A |
19 | "A Joking Matter" | Michael Beradini | Unknown | July 3, 2023 | TBA | TBA | N/A |
20 | "Parking Problems" | Michael Beradini | Unknown | August 7, 2023 | TBA | TBA | N/A |
21 | "Bat-Surfing" | Michael Beradini | Unknown | August 28, 2023 | TBA | TBA | N/A |
TBA | "I'll Be Your Shelter" | TBD | TBD | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
Production
Development
In October 2020, it was announced that an animated preschool series centered around the Batmobile was in development at Warner Bros. Animation, set to premiere on Cartoon Network's then-upcoming preschool block Cartoonito and HBO Max.[2] According to Tom Ascheim, president of the now-defunct Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics, the series was greenlit due to its concept being fit for the studio's focus on preschool projects.[2] Michael G. Stern serves as developer and co-executive producer, with Simon J. Smith as supervising producer, and Steven Fink and Caroline Karmel producing.[13][14] Stern was brought into the project early in development, as WB explored ideas for preschool-oriented DC shows, while Smith was brought after Stern wrote the first scripts for the series.[15] In December 2022, the series was renewed for a second season, with Stern and Smith being promoted to executive producers.[16]
Writing
While writing the series, Stern wanted to avoid "kiddifying" the characters, as he felt children should be introduced to the characters through faithful portrayals and was also requested to respect the characters.[15] For Batman, he wrote the character to stay faithful to most interpretations, with only his violence being toned down.[15] He also wrote the villains with "a lane" that stayed faithful to their classical portrayals while still fitting the target audience, such as portraying Harley Quinn as a fun-loving prankster.[15]
When creating the Batwheels, the writers wanted them to be perceived as "lovable" and "fun" characters for the audience, in order to avoid the children only watching the show for Batman. In order to accomplish this, they tested the personalities for each character with a test group, who received the characters positively.[15] The writers also wanted to avoid portraying the Legion of Zoom as mere copies of their owners, to which they gave each vehicle their own characteristics, such as portraying Prank, the Joker's van, as "a surfer dude".[15]
Music
The series' score was composed by Alex Geringas, while the theme song was performed and produced by Andy Sturmer,[14] who previously composed the themes for the series The Batman and Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Sturmer also co-wrote the theme alongside Stern.[14]
Notes
- This episode was originally released on November 8, 2022, but was removed shortly thereafter.
References
- Idelson, Karen (October 11, 2022). "'Batwheels,' Start Your Engines!". Animation Magazine. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
- Zalben, Alex (October 6, 2020). "The Batmobile Is Getting Its Own TV Series". Decider. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
- "WarnerMedia Announces 'Batwheels' Cast". Animation World Network. September 12, 2021. Archived from the original on October 20, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
- Weiner, Jonah (October 2011). "Q&A;: Ethan Hawke". Details. Archived from the original on August 9, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
- Milligan, Mercedes (October 10, 2022). "NYCC Catch-Up: 'Dragon Prince' S4 Date, Jellico Returns in 'Prodigy,' 'Batwheels' New Characters & More Crunchyroll". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on October 10, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
- Schreur, Brandon (May 19, 2022). "Batman's Villains Get a Radical Makeover for Batmobile-Starring Batwheels". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on October 18, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
- "Batwheels Episode Listings". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
- "Batwheels Episode Guide". Zap2it. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
- Mitch Salem (October 18, 2022). "Saturday 10.15.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 18, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
- Mitch Salem (May 2, 2023). "Monday 5.1.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
- "Batwheels". USTVDB. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- "Meet the Batwheels Episode Guide". Zap2it. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- Pedersen, Erik (October 6, 2020). "'Batwheels': Warner Bros Animation Revs Up Preschool Series About DC Cars For Cartoon Network & HBO Max". Decider. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
- DC Kids (July 23, 2022). Meet The Batwheels | @Cartoonito | @DC Kids. Retrieved September 17, 2022 – via YouTube.
- Hermanns, Grant (October 19, 2022). "Michael G. Stern & Simon J. Smith Interview: Batwheels". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- "Cartoonito Hits the Gas on Season Two Renewal of Preschool Series "Batwheels" for Cartoon Network and HBO Max" (Press release). Cartoon Network. December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022 – via The Futon Critic.