Warner, the company owning DC Comics, is currently accepting offers to be bought. DC owns some of the best known superheroes (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash) but fails to deliver movies staring them. Besides the Dark Knight Trilogy most other films and shows failed to be successfully popular. Management interference, a lack of planning, strategy and consistency lead to the downfall of the DCEU. DCs rival Marvel succeeded with their Marvel Cinematic Universe. So just in case someone wants to give me the funds to buy Warner/DC here is my plan to create a content, coherent and entertaining universe using my favorite part of the DC universe: Batman.
Batman has always been my favorite superhero. I believe it’s because of his more realistic nature. He doesn’t have superpowers, he is not an alien from outerspace or any other form of metahuman. He is just rich and intelligent. A billionaire with a lithograph tech toys fighting for the good of humanity. Yes, that’s not very realistic as most real life billionaires are closer to villain than vigilante. But hey, Batman at least could exist in our universe.
This take, realism over fantasy is what my Batman Cinematic Universe would be built on. I‘m a fan of the Nolan Trilogy, I love the 1989 Batman and Batman Returns is a masterpiece. I watched every episode of Gotham and love how Pennyworth shines light on Alfred. Bilds of prey (the series) gave a spotlight to the female characters of the bat family. This way of storytelling is great. The execution was maybe not always on point, but I love that idea. What’s important for me is also that each story, if movie or series, can stand by its own. When watching Marvel movies, I often have the feeling that I have to watch all previous movies and shows to understand the plot. Small connections between shows are great, but the understand and storytelling should not depend on it.
I would create the Batman Cinematic Universe in a multi-decade spanning plan. This could be broken down into phases.
Phase 1: The Foundation (Years 0–4)
Theme: Gotham before Batman — crime, corruption, and the law’s failure.
TV Shows
- Gotham PB (2–3 seasons)
- Follows young James Gordon as a police officer fighting corruption.
- Foreshadows Harvey Dent’s fall and Batman’s vigilante emergence.
- Falcone (1–2 seasons)
- Crime drama about mob families battling for Gotham’s control.
- Highlights Maroni vs. Falcone dynamics; sets stage for The Long Halloween.
- The Riddler (1 season)
- Edward Nashton evolves from idealistic whistleblower to extremist criminal.
- Foreshadows Long Halloween and Batman’s detective challenges.
Films
- The Batman: Year One
- Bruce returns to Gotham; first vigilante attempts.
- Introduces Gordon, Dent, and initial mob crackdowns.
- Ends with Batman earning tentative trust of GCPD.
- The Long Halloween
- Mob wars collapse; Harvey Dent becomes Two-Face.
- First glimpses of the psychological cost of Gotham’s crime.
Phase 2: The Batfamily Emerges (Years 4–8)
Theme: Batman realizes he cannot fight alone; first sidekicks and allies emerge.
TV Shows
- Grayson (2 seasons)
- Dick becomes Robin; explores moral lessons, personal growth, and eventual departure.
- Barbara Gordon / Batgirl (2 seasons)
- Barbara’s calculated path to heroism with Gordon’s guidance.
- Scarecrow (1–2 seasons)
- Jonathan Crane uses fear-based psychological experiments; establishes Batman’s restraint philosophy.
Films
- Batman & Robin
- Dick officially becomes Robin; Penguin introduced as political crime broker.
- Roman Sionis
- Rise of corporate crime; Batman & Robin vs. organized “New Crime.”
- Batman: Dark Victory
- Two-Face returns; Dick nearly dies → Nightwing leaves Batman’s shadow.
Phase 3: Collapse & Rebirth (Years 8–14)
Theme: Gotham fractures, Batman faces personal failures, Batfamily suffers.
TV Shows
- Jason Todd (2 seasons)
- Troubled street youth becomes Robin II; explores trauma and street politics.
- Oracle (2 seasons)
- Barbara rebuilds herself using intelligence networks; her arc runs parallel to Jason’s death.
- Harley Quinn: Arkham Shadows (1–2 seasons)
- Follows Harleen Quinzel, Arkham psychologist. Harleen her fascination with Joker’s mind, gradual moral collapse, and willingness to commit crimes.
Films
- Batman: Full Metal
- Jason’s methods clash with Batman’s code; Zsasz introduced.
- Death in the Family
- Joker kills Jason; emotional low point.
- The Killing Joke
- Joker shoots Barbara → paralysis; Batman hits moral nadir.
- No Man’s Land
- Gotham cut off; gangs control zones; Nightwing returns; teamwork re-establishes Batman’s purpose.
Phase 4: Legacy (Years 14–20)
Theme: Next-generation heroes and villains emerge; Gotham shaped by Batman’s shadow.
TV Shows
- Nightwing (2 seasons)
- Dick leads Blüdhaven PD special crimes task force.
- Birds of Prey (2 seasons)
- Oracle + Black Canary + Huntress stop criminal trafficking networks.
- The Penguin (1–2 seasons)
- Transition from crime boss to political manipulator; mayor-maker.
Films
- Tim Drake
- Teen deduces Batman’s identity → Robin III; stabilizes Batfamily emotionally.
- The Joker: City of Masks
- Joker as a philosophical manipulator; tests Gotham’s moral compass.
- The Red Hood
- Jason returns as violent antihero (grounded: trained by criminal organizations, not supernatural).
Phase 5: The Final Years (Years 20–30)
Theme: Legacy, mentorship, and institutionalized heroism; Batman becomes symbol, not center.
TV Shows
- Damian Wayne (2 seasons)
- Bruce’s son de-radicalized; explores morality and assassin legacy.
- Batman Inc. (2–3 seasons)
- Global vigilante network; focuses on social reform and intelligence, not armed ops.
Films
- Batman & Son
- Damian becomes Robin IV; mentored by Nightwing.
- Gotham City Elections
- Penguin’s political takeover thwarted by Oracle and Gordon.
- The Court of Owls
- Secret elite society manipulating Gotham exposed; wealth, blackmail, grooming—not magic.
- Batman: The Last Night
- Bruce retires; Nightwing protects Gotham; Oracle leads intelligence; Damian or Red Robin becomes new Batman.