While the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) is beginning to find its footing, the CW network has long established its very own DC media universe, or Arrowverse. One that has long explored the concept of the multiverse before Zack Snyder’s “Justice League” or Marvel’s “What If…?”. One where Superman and Lois raised a pair of twins, one where Green Arrow became a spirit of vengeance and of course, one where Gotham is defended by Batwoman in Bruce’s absence.
Needless to say, the possibilities in the Arrowverse are endless. With that in mind, CW has saw fit to give us another TV series revolving around successors to the Dark Knight. One that follows a group of teenage rogues and vigilantes seeking to defend Gotham. Here are some wild facts about CW’s “Gotham Knights”!
1. The Bat is Dead
Unlike the ambiguity surrounding Bruce Wayne’s disappearance in “Batwoman”, this series makes it very clear: Batman is dead. In the season trailer, we see a clip the police and Harvey Dent hover over the bloody corpse of Batman as he informs his adopted son of his loss. Say what you will about the show’s potential quality but you have to admit, it’s a pretty gutsy move start your show with the death of the Dark Knight.
2. The World Knows Batman’s Secret Identity
That’s right, not only was the Batman murdered but his secret identity has been revealed to the world. There doesn’t seem to be any Jim Gordon around to help hide his identity. So with the secret out and about, we’re definitely curious to see the effects it’ll have on the legacy of the Waynes, the legend of the Bat and the future of Gotham. Now that they know that Bruce Wayne, the true Batman, has fallen, criminals and villains will seek to seize Gotham for themselves. That is unless a new heir to the throne rises…
3. Batman has an Adopted Son
Before you start guessing, no it’s not Dick Grayson, Jason Todd or Tim Drake. In “Gotham Knights”, the adopted son of Batman is a wholly new character – Turner Hayes played by Oscar Morgan. Apparently, he also didn’t know his adoptive father was a crime-fighting vigilante dressed up as a bat. Another major departure of the traditional Batman mythos which sees his adoptive sons becoming his sidekick.
4. Duela could be the Daughter of Joker or Harvey Dent
It’s revealed that three teenagers were tasked with robbing Bruce Wayne’s office. Things begin to fall apart for them when they’re framed for the death of Bruce Wayne. Interestingly enough, one of the teenagers just so happens to named Duela, played by Olivia Rose Keegan.
So, the exact parentage of Duela in comics has always been ambiguous to say the least. In the past, she’s claimed to have been the daughter of Harvey Dent but in her latest appearance in the New 52 line of comics, she’s known as Joker’s Daughter. In the trailer, she’s even asked if she’s really the Joker’s daughter. No doubt her parentage will be recurring theme in the show.
5. Introducing Bluebird
The Bat-Family has always been a crowded lot. Consisting of former Robins (Nightwing, Red Hood, Red Robin) and current ones like Damian Wayne; new heroes aligned with the Bat like Duke, Orphan, Spoiler, Batwoman and the iconic Batgirl. One lesser known member would be Harper Row, also known as Bluebird.
She’s best known for her ability to use electric based weapons and gadgets against her enemies. Based on the trailer, it seems like Harper and her brother, Cullen will be teaming up with Turner and Duela to bring Bruce Wayne’s true killer to justice. Will we get to see her in costume? Guess we’ll have to wait to find out. Harper Row is played Fallon Smythe and her brother by Tyler DiChiara.
6. A New Robin
Yes while Dick, Jason, Tim and Damian are nowhere to be seen, we’ll still be getting a version of the Robin in “Gotham Knights” with Carrie Kelly played by Navia Robinson. In Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns”, an old, grizzled Batman teams up with a plucky young girl called Carrie Kelly. Together, they’d go on adventures fighting mutants, criminals and even Superman. This version of Carrie Kelly probably isn’t a fully faithful adaptation of her comic counterpart. However, we’ll most likely see elements of the story adapted for her character. Fingers crossed, we’ll get to see some mutants involved.
7. Harvey Dent will be an Antagonist in the series
Misha Collins, best known for his role as the angel Castiel in the series “Supernatural”, will be playing Harvey Dent in the series. While not exactly a villain per se, it seems like he’ll be doing his part to put Turner, Duela, the Rows and Kelly behind bars. For some reason, he seems to suspect that Turner played a role in the death of his adoptive father. Question is: Does Harvey really think Turner is a possible suspect or is he trying to frame the boy? More importantly, will Harvey meet with an unfortunate accident this season? Two-Face is one of the Bat’s most iconic villains, afterall. He could very well be a reccuring villain in the series.
8. Stephanie Brown as Batgirl or Spoiler
One character that doesn’t seem to be getting much spotlight in trailer is Anna Lore’s Stephanie Brown. She’s framed to be a friend and potential love interest to Turner but there’s more to the character than meets the eye. In the comics, Stephanie Brown has played a major role in the Bat-Family. She’s taken up the mantle of both Robin and Batgirl in the past, she now goes by the moniker Spoiler. With Carrie Kelly already filling up the title as the Bat’s “little robin”, Brown would most likely take up the title of Batgirl or Spoiler.
9. It’s made by the same team that created “Batwoman”
One thing we’re not exactly stoked about is the fact that the creative team behind “Gotham Knights” is the same one responsible for CW’s “Batwoman”. Namely the writers Natalie Abrams, James Stoteraux, and Chad Fiveash. While the show did have some bright spots, we were not a fan of the way the characters were written and the fact that the mantle of Batwoman had been passed between three leads. Hopefully, “Gotham Knights” won’t make the same mistakes of its sister series.
10. The Batcave will be in the series
Rounding off on a positive note, fans will at least get to see a brand new version of the Batcave in “Gotham Knights”! We’re curious to know if Batman left Turner with a specially-made costume just for the boy. In the trailer, we see Turner wielding a bladed Batarang as he surveys his new lair. At the end, we also hear Cullen ask Kelly if she brought the Batmobile with her, so there’s a chance we could see one in action this season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnUkN3h9yQw&t=24s&ab_channel=TheCWNetwork
Source: Variety
