One of the only DC TV shows left just got renewed for another season

As a dedicated DC fan with decades worth of memories tied to these iconic characters, I can’t help but feel a sense of relief and excitement at the news that Batwheels has been renewed for a third season. The past few years have been a rollercoaster ride for us fans, with one cancellation after another leaving our hearts heavy and our hopes dashed. But here we are, with the little Batmobile and his pals still cruising through Gotham City, teaching preschoolers everywhere about teamwork, friendship, and the importance of keeping the streets safe.

If you’re an enthusiast of DC Comics, these last few years might have been challenging for you. A merger at Warner Bros. triggered a wave of cancellations for movies and TV series based on their cinematic universe, and a change in management at The CW resulted in the termination of several popular DC shows that had ruled the network for over ten years.

Indeed, it’s been challenging for DC fans recently. However, the silver lining is that a new DC Universe is in development by Peter Safran and James Gunn. Although we won’t see its full realization immediately (with an animated series called “Creature Commandos” premiering in December and Gunn’s “Superman” movie not set to release until next year), this indicates a wait for more DC TV content on our screens in the near future – a situation hard to imagine only three years back.

Fortunately, not everything is getting canceled. One cherished DC TV show has been granted a new season.

Batwheels renewed for a third season at Cartoon Network

According to Deadline, the cartoon series “Batwheels” has been granted a third season on Cartoon Network. This is the first Batman show tailored for preschoolers, and it’s been quite a hit with this age group. Given that cars and Batman seem like an ideal pairing for kids, it’s no wonder it’s been so popular.

The television series debuted on HBO Max (now known as Max) in WarnerMedia’s streaming service back in September 2022, followed by its broadcast premiere on Cartoon Network through the preschool block Cartoonito. Spanning an extensive 40 episodes for its inaugural season, it garnered significant viewership, leading to a prompt renewal for a second season. As we speak, Season 2 is underway, and post a midseason hiatus, it resumed with a special Halloween episode in September.

The program revolves around the high-tech devices belonging to the Bat-Family, powered by the Batcomputer. Notably, the Batmobile, often referred to as “Bam,” is their primary vehicle, patrolling the city to catch criminal cars. One of its main adversaries is Prank, a fitting name for the car associated with none other than The Joker.

Besides Bam and the Batcomputer, they’ve got some backup in their battle against crime and its vehicles – Red (Robin’s Redbird), Bibi (Batgirl’s cycle), Buff (the Bat Truck), the Batwing, and M.O.E., the Bat-Family’s robot. While it’s true that the crime-fighting cars steal the limelight, let’s not forget that the Bat-Family themselves are key players too. Characters like Batman, Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, and even Green Arrow all make an appearance. Interestingly, Batman is voiced by Ethan Hawke in this series.

A victory for DC TV fans

The persistence of Batwheels is quite remarkable, as it’s one of the few DC TV series surviving from before the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. This resilience might be attributed to its independence from a broader shared universe, its appeal to younger viewers, and the support provided by Cartoon Network. As for future animated shows produced by DC Studios, Batwheels seems to have carved out its own unique niche and will likely remain distinct.

Similarly, Netflix productions like “The Sandman” and its spinoff “Dead Boy Detectives” were exceptions amidst the cancellations of many mainstream DC TV shows. Both series were adapted from Vertigo comics, giving them a unique edge. As Netflix produced these shows for their streaming platform, they managed to dodge the cancellation that was imminent for most DC television shows, even popular ones like “Young Justice”. Unfortunately, “Dead Boy Detectives” was eventually canceled by the streaming service, but its link to the “Sandman” universe is what made it possible in the first place.

In the realm of television, most shows now being produced are connected to the DC Universe, as created by Gunn and Safran. However, a few exceptions remain. For instance, the popular animated series Harley Quinn will continue for a fifth season, while Superman and Lois on The CW will return for a fourth and final season. The second season of Batman: Caped Crusader is currently in production, as well as the third season of My Adventures With Superman. A new spinoff from Harley Quinn, titled Kite Man: Hell Yeah!, has just premiered its first season, and Teen Titans GO! was recently airing its eighth season.

At the moment, fresh episodes of “The Penguin” are being broadcasted, and they are receiving praise from critics. However, it’s anticipated that this will be a limited series, running for just one season.

I’ve been finding myself yearning for more DC content recently, and it seems like there’s a scarcity, particularly in linear television. So, hearing about the renewal of Batwheels truly is heartening news on multiple fronts. Here’s to hoping that the vehicles of Gotham City continue patrolling the streets, ensuring our safety!

2024-10-03 01:31

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