It is an extraordinary moment for Batman in animation. Four distinct Batman animated projects are simultaneously in production, in theaters, or premiering this week — spanning premium streaming, the theatrical format, adult animation, and anime. Here is the complete guide to every Batman animated series right now and the comics behind each one. Sources: DC Studios official, Amazon Prime Video official, The Hollywood Reporter (June 25 2026), Deadline (June 25 2026).
Batman: Caped Crusader — Season 2 premieres July 31
Batman: Caped Crusader Season 2 premieres Thursday July 31 on Amazon Prime Video. Bruce Timm, J.J. Abrams, and Matt Reeves. Hamish Linklater voices Bruce Wayne / Batman. The series is set in a 1940s art deco Gotham — noir visuals, pre-Silver Age villain interpretations, morally complex storytelling. Season 1 premiered in August 2024 and received universal critical acclaim. Season 2 was confirmed at the DC Studios Annecy 2026 panel. Full DC animation slate from Annecy: DC Studios Unveils Full Animated Series Slate at Annecy 2026 →. Source: Amazon Prime Video official, Movieweb (June 25 2026).
Comics to read: Batman: Year One (Frank Miller / David Mazzucchelli) · Batman: The Long Halloween (Jeph Loeb / Tim Sale) · Batman: Dark Victory · Batman: Ego and Other Tails (Darwyn Cooke). Full reading guide: Batman: Caped Crusader S2 — Read Before You Watch →. All in store at superheroempire.com/collections/dc-comics.
Absolute Batman — adult animated series in development
DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation announced an adult animated adaptation of Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta's Absolute Batman at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Snyder serves as executive producer and showrunner; Dragotta as producer. No network deal, episode count, or release window has been confirmed. The series is described as adult animation faithful to the comic's working-class, gritty tone. Source: The Hollywood Reporter (June 25 2026), Deadline (June 25 2026).
The Absolute Batman comic launched October 2024 and has sold over 6 million copies across its run. Absolute Batman #1 has printed over 11 times. Issue #22 carried a KCC key flag — full breakdown: Absolute Batman #22 — KCC Key, 86 Variants →. Source: The Hollywood Reporter (June 25 2026), Epicstream (June 25 2026).
Comics to read: Absolute Batman #1 onward — all issues in store at superheroempire.com/collections/dc-comics.
Joker: Laugh Riot — DC's first anime series, in production
Joker: Laugh Riot is DC's first-ever anime series, currently in production in Japan with director Aoki (Steamboy, 2004). Announced at the Annecy 2026 panel alongside Absolute Batman. Executive produced by C.H. Greenblatt. The logline: when Batman is murdered, the Joker launches a ruthless crusade through Gotham's underworld to find the killer who took away his greatest adversary. Source: Deadline (June 25 2026), Anime Superhero News (June 25 2026).
Comics to read: Batman: The Killing Joke (Alan Moore / Brian Bolland) · Joker (Brian Azzarello / Lee Bermejo) · Batman: White Knight (Sean Murphy). All in store at superheroempire.com/collections/dc-comics.
Batman: Knightfall — world premiered at Annecy June 25
Batman: Knightfall Part 1 received its world premiere screening at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 25 2026. A multi-part direct-to-video animated film event adapting the classic 1993 storyline. From WB Animation, DC Studios, and Warner Home Entertainment. No home release date has been confirmed. Source: Animation World Network (June 25 2026), The Wrap (June 25 2026), Popverse (June 25 2026).
Comics to read: Batman: Knightfall Omnibus Vol. 1 (Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench / Jim Aparo, Norm Breyfogle). In store at superheroempire.com/collections/dc-comics.
Opening July 31
Batman: Caped Crusader Season 2 and Spider-Man: Brand New Day both open July 31 — full guide: Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Batman: Caped Crusader S2 — Both Open Tomorrow →
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter (June 25 2026) · Deadline (June 25 2026) · Amazon Prime Video official · Movieweb (June 25 2026) · Animation World Network (June 25 2026) · The Wrap (June 25 2026) · Popverse (June 25 2026) · Anime Superhero News (June 25 2026) · Epicstream (June 25 2026) · DC Comics official