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Scripted audio series’ darker take on Batman a global hit
How do you breathe new life into one of the most adapted comic book characters of all time, who already has countless iterations? Naturally, you make a podcast about him.
“Batman Unburied,” a scripted audio series created and executive produced by David S. Goyer, which stars Winston Duke (Bruce Wayne/Batman), is unlike any Batman story to come before it.
“This isn’t completely bingeable, and it didn’t all drop at once, so we were very deliberately messing around with the narrative,” Goyer said. “You can get halfway into the story and actually not know who the real villain is — which has been really fun.”
Just days after its premiere on May 3, the superhero audio drama skyrocketed to No. 1 on Spotify’s U.S. podcast charts. “Batman Unburied” remained a fixture at or near the top of the chart as its five-week run came to an end on May 31.
Thanks in large part to its simultaneous release in nine markets worldwide — Spotify’s largest podcast launch yet — the audio series quickly became a global hit as well. Following its debut, “Batman Unburied” claimed the top spot in Mexico, India, the U.K., Australia, France, Germany, Brazil and Italy.
Goyer, a prolific screenwriter who has spearheaded a collection of comic book adaptations — “Blade,” “Batman Begins,” “Man of Steel” — was relieved to find that people are open to an all-new take on the Caped Crusader.
“What’s been so lovely about the response is that so many people have embraced it. I always felt like Batman should be for everyone,” he said. “The acceptance of it just blew me away across the board. There was no pushback at all in terms of the casting, which was invigorating and sort of made me feel just better about humanity in general. Also, just that we could tell this kind of story and that (the fanbase was) open to, a certain extent, messing with the canon.”
The “Batman Unburied” original story features shocking reveals, earned plot twists and dramatic cliffhangers every step of the way. It takes some big risks and experiments in ways that previous adaptations of the character haven’t — in terms of its casting, narrative and the auditory medium.
The majority of the main cast are actors of color — including Gina Rodriguez (Barbara Gordon), Hasan Minhaj (the Riddler), Lance Reddick (Thomas Wayne) and Emmy RaverLampman (Poison Ivy). This both intrigued and worried Duke when he was approached to play the titular role.
“The history of the comic book world is that they don’t usually like a lot of change, and they can be very resistant to things that feel like dramatic, drastic changes,” he said. “For me, I had some anxiety about, ‘Are racist feelings of keeping Batman “pure” in that way going to come up?’ None of that really surfaced. (The response) was overwhelming support, intrigue and acceptance. That was one of the things that really just warmed my soul deeply.”
Goyer’s creation is a distinctly darker take on the cowl-wearing crimefighter. He said if it was made live-action “it would have been R-rated.” Due to the lack of visuals, the immersive sound design shines throughout the series. “Batman Unburied” is chock-full of authentic soundscapes that sound eerie and haunting.
It’s also far more focused on Batman’s mental psyche rather than physical brutality. It replaces action set pieces with mystery, suspense and horror.
So what’s next for “Batman Unburied” and will there be a second season? It seems likely, considering that the series is the product of a recent partnership among Spotify, Warner Bros. and DC Comics and serves as the origin for their forthcoming audio universe.
Goyer said he’s definitely willing to dive back into “Batman Unburied,” on one condition.
“(Spotify has) definitely asked if I’m interested in doing more,” Goyer said. “My response is what I said to Winston: If he’s game for more, I’m game for more, because this has been a very pleasurable experience . ... Hopefully we have the ability to play in that space again.”
Which raises the question: Is the “Batman Unburied” star on board?
“I am very game for more, I can tell you that,” Duke said with a grin. “We’ve just kind of dipped our toe into that water . ... If we did move forward, it’s just a really cool opportunity to really dive into that pool.”