10 Characters Perfect for Batman: Caped Crusader Season 2

Batman: Caped Crusader expertly introduces a new take on the titular hero, all the while making the series familiar in great ways. Evoking both previous animated projects and his original comic books, the series has already been lauded by many and is set to have a continuation. With more episodes on the way, there are several other DC Comics characters that could appear in Batman: Caped Crusader Season 2.

These include characters from Batman’s own supporting cast and rogues gallery, namely some who haven’t shown up much in other adaptations. Likewise, various other DC superheroes would also fit in series’ the noir world — even a certain Man of Tomorrow. This will make for a more robust world in the show’s next season or seasons, all the while keeping the same scope and tone.

11 Hugo Strange Is the Premiere Golden Age Batman Foe

Debut: Detective Comics #36 by Bill Finger and Bob Kane

Though overshadowed by enemies such as The Joker, The Penguin, The Riddler and Catwoman, Hugo Strange is one of Batman’s oldest foes. He’s also one of the first to discover that Bruce Wayne and Batman are the same person, using this information to his benefit. Beyond this, he’s largely been characterized as something of a mad scientist, making him Batman’s equivalent to the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths versions of Lex Luthor.

Hugo Stange would fit well in the world of Batman: Caped Crusader, be it as a mad scientist or an amoral creator of a designer drug. His antics in the latter regard could even be tied to other villains, including the Joker Gas used by The Joker (as teased in Season 1’s final moments), or the Venom that powers Bane. Doing this would make Hugo Strange more important than ever, as other prominent Batman enemies would use him as a supplier, of sorts.

10 Wildcat Can Show Batman the Ropes in Multiple Ways

Debut: Sensation Comics #1 by Bill Finger and Irwin Hansen

A member of the Golden Age Justice Society of America, Wildcat is one of DC’s oldest vigilante characters. Also a heavyweight champion boxer named Ted Grant, Wildcat lacks true powers and relies more on his wits and two fists. These elements could be showcased in a variety of ways in the second season of Batman: Caped Crusader.

It might be revealed that Ted Grant is a boxer (or former boxer) in the world of the show, even training Bruce Wayne before he becomes Batman. This may or may not involve him taking on the persona of Wildcat, but if the latter is the case, there could be multiple homages to it. If Grant does become Wildcat in the show, however, it can lead to the introduction of a Caped Crusader universe version of the Justice Society.

9 The Court of Owls Could Be Reimagined In Caped Crusader

Debut: Batman #6 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo

The Court of Owls is a group that’s become one of Batman’s greatest enemies in only a little over a decade. Debuting during the New 52 reboot in the comics, they’re a sect that’s behind the rise and fall of Gotham City throughout the years. This pits them against Batman, whose own life they’ve been heavily watching from the shadows.

The Court of Owls might be changed to essentially be a metaphysical cult in the vein of other 1930s/1940s belief systems. To this end, their actions in the shadows of Gotham City would have a more religious angle. This could give them a more supernatural bend without losing the show’s noir tone, making them the perfect go-between in terms of Batman enemies. It would also cement them as the most successful modern Batman foes.

8 Tim Drake Might Work in Caped Crusader, But Not as Robin

Debut: Batman #436 by Marv Wolfman and Pat Broderick

Perhaps the best part of Batman: Caped Crusader was the absence of a wider Batman Family. This meant that the show had no references or setup for the introduction of Robin, the Boy Wonder. Instead, four of the Robins from the comics appeared as orphans, but only in their civilian identities. The main exception was Tim Drake, but he still might not be meant to become a true sidekick.

Caped Crusader can introduce its own take on Tim Drake who never becomes Robin, but still adapts the character’s most defining elements. This could include discovering that Bruce Wayne is Batman and trying to help his war against crime. Adding Robin would deviate from the show’s noir tone (much like what happened in the comics), but keeping the best version of Robin around in another capacity can also work.

7 Sandman Is One of DC’s Most Noir Heroes

Debut: New York World’s Fair Comics #1 by Gardner Fox and Bert Christman

Debuting in the Golden Age, the Wesley Dodds version of Sandman was the first hero in comics to use that name. Using a gas gun and wearing a gas mask to protect himself from his own devices, he was one of the most grounded characters published by DC Comics. This was best exemplified in the Vertigo Comics series Sandman Mystery Theatre, which showcased the gritty reality of 1930s New York City.

Adding Dodds to the mix in Batman: Caped Crusader would be easy, as he’s even more grounded than Batman himself. The show could have Dodds as a fellow rich playboy in Gotham City (as portrayed in the Golden Age of Comics) or have him in NYC, like in the Vertigo series. Either way, he’s the kind of character who’s perfect for a noir, hardboiled story, especially given the source material.

6 Constantine Could Build Upon Caped Crusader’s Mystical Elements

Debut: Swamp Thing #37 by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette and John Totleben

Season 1 of Batman: Caped Crusader mostly stayed grounded and realistic, but there were a few forays into more paranormal elements. This was seen with the appearance of both Gentleman Ghost and Linton Midnite, aka Papa Midnite. It’s unknown if those elements will continue, but if they do, there’s one DC character who must appear.

John Constantine is DC’s resident scoundrel, and he’s more of a magical trickster than a powerful wizard. This has seen him run afoul of numerous characters, namely the aforementioned Papa Midnite. If nothing else, Caped Crusader should confirm that Constantine exists in this world and perhaps even bring him to Gotham City.

5 Black Canary Should Kick Her Way Into Caped Crusader Season 2

Debut: Flash Comics #86 by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino

Like Batman, Black Canary debuted in the Golden Age of Comics, becoming a female vigilante who’s regarded as one of the best martial artists in the DC Universe. The original version was Dinah Drake, with her daughter, Dinah Laurel Lance, taking up her mother’s mantle and also wielding the sonic-powered “Canary Cry” power. Elements of both versions can be used in Batman: Caped Crusader, with Dinah Drake assisting Batman in solving a case.

This sort of thing would also allow Black Canary to work with the show’s version of Barbara Gordon. That development would reflect how they formed the group known as the Birds of Prey in the comics. Plus, with no Emerald Archer around, Dinah could assert herself as a solo hero.

4 Azrael Is One of the Most Overlooked Members of the Batman Family

Debut: Batman: Sword of Azrael #1 by Denny O’Neil and Joe Quesada

Introduced right before the iconic “Knightfall” storyline, Jean-Paul Valley is most well known as Azrael. Tied to the Order of St. Dumas, he was made to be a fighter. This pitted him against Batman, though he later temporarily replaced Bruce Wayne as Batman when his back was broken by Bane. While Bane might not show up in Batman: Caped Crusader, Azrael can appear in the show’s second season.

The Order of St. Dumas could be tied to the Court of Owls, making Azrael more important than ever. Becoming a vigilante in his own right, his methods could come into conflict with Batman before being forced to work with him. Given that he’s never really been used much in outside media, this could be his biggest push yet.

3 The Question Is Another Hardboiled DC Comics Character

Debut: Blue Beetle #1 by Steve Ditko

The Question was once a character published by Charlton Comics, but he and the rest of that publisher’s stable were later acquired by DC Comics. A brilliant reporter in Hub City, Vic Sage uses a false “face” mask to cover his features and protect the streets of Hub City as The Question. He’s many times been one of DC’s more esoteric characters, being portrayed as either an Objectivist in the vein of Ayn Rand or a sort of urban shaman.

The Question could have a similar mix of elements in Batman: Caped Crusader Season 2, with a case bringing him to Gotham City. He might even mention other characters who operate in his home city, namely the Ted Kord version of Blue Beetle. This would expand the DC Universe in the series while also contrasting Batman with a similar character. It would also be The Question’s biggest push outside the comics since his appearance in the Justice League Unlimited cartoon.

2 Superman Should Definitely Be in Batman: Caped Crusader Season 2

Debut: Action Comics #1 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

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One episode of Batman: Caped Crusader actually featured a cameo by Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, but Clark Kent/Superman was absent. This can definitely change in the show’s second season, and it might be all the better for it. This could be done by simply having Clark Kent cameo in a small capacity, or even have a more down-to-Earth version of Superman appear.

Given that Lois’ appearance recalled the Max Fleischer Superman cartoon, this take on the Man of Steel can appear in the world of Caped Crusader. This incarnation was based on the Golden Age of Comics, which Caped Crusader superficially is. Thus, bringing in a version of Superman who only leaps tall buildings in a single bound would fit the tone of the show, while also expanding its scope.