Warning! This article contains spoilers for Batman Unburied: Fallen CityDC Studios has already nailed the perfect story in the lead-up toThe Brave and the Boldwithin theDCU. AlthoughThe Batmanand its record-breaking spin-off show,The Penguin,have been holding the fort when it comes toquality Batman media, more unconventional formats are also playing host to some compelling narratives.Batman Unburied, an audio drama podcast series centered on the Dark Knight, is one such example. This show and its spin-off,The Riddler: Secrets in the Darkhave been occupying the audio space since 2022, recently culminating in the latest series,Batman Unburied: Fallen City.
Given the format,Batman Unburiedtakes a decidedly different approach to Batman, supplanting high-octane action sequences for a more slow-burning focus on narrative and atmosphere.Batman Unburied: Fallen Citycomprises eight episodes that delve into political intrigue, Harvey Dent’s bleak transformation into Two-Face, and the insidious power of the Court of Owls. It is largely a well-receivedfresh take on Batman- and I think it might have just coined the perfect story forBatman’s debut in the DCUyears before it occurs.
Batman Unburied: Fallen City’s “The Brave And The Bold Plan” Feels Weirdly Close To What The DCU Movie’s Story Could Have Been
Batman Unburied: Fallen City Ticks All The Right Boxes And Uses The Movie’s Title
The main narrative ofBatman Unburied: Fallen Citysees Bruce Wayne attempt to fulfill his parents' wishes by partnering with Harvey Dent and their mutual friend Coby Williamson to transform the abandoned Gotham Orphanage into a place that can help the people of Gotham.This project is given the name “The Brave and the Bold,“alluding to the DC Comics run of the same name. More pertinently, it shares its name with the current title for the DCU’s own Batman movie.
Supermanwas calledSuperman: Legacywhen it was announced, meaning something similar could happen withThe Brave and the Bold.
Unsurprisingly, the “Brave and the Bold” project goes awry after Harvey Dent is captured and tortured by the Court of Owls until he becomes Two-Face. Williamson is also revealed to be an unwitting Talon of the Court of Owls and responsible for the death of Bruce Wayne’s parents. The Court of Owls, meanwhile, comprises several big names in Gotham, not least of whom being the mayor. What follows isplenty of typical detective work from Batman in addition to plenty of action before the mastermind is revealed to be none other than Ra’s al Ghul.
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I can’t help but feel like this would be theperfect narrative for the DCU’sThe Brave and the Bold. Setting aside the fact that the movie’s title shares its name with the noble project undertaken by Bruce, Harvey, and Coby, it’s alsoa classic Batman tale incorporating all the core elements of his comic book career. That’s also not to mention the ensemble cast boasted by the audio drama.
Batman Unburied: Fallen City’s Story Brings A Big Number Of Key DC Characters Together
Multiple Iconic Villains And Allies Fit The Current DCU Mould
The currentrelease slate for the DCUshows that James Gunn is leaning into lesser-known characters like the Authority, Booster Gold, and Swamp Thing in a move that should help the franchise feel fresh. 2025’sSuperman, meanwhile, is also packed with lesser-known DC characters alongside those more central to Superman’s mythos like Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, and Krypto. It stands to reason thatThe Brave and the Boldwill also feature a stacked cast- andBatman Unburied: Fallen Cityis certainly not lacking in that department.
At this point,Two-Face is nearly as widely adaptedas the Joker - but that is for good reason. The fan-favorite villain is distinctly sympathetic with incredibly distinctive attributes both physically and mentally. Core allies like Jim and Barbara Gordan and Alfred Pennyworth are also key players in the narrative, while Ra’s al Ghul - a nemesis second only to Joker - is the arch-villain. The Court of Owls, meanwhile, has yet to make its live-action cinematic debut and offer a dizzying level of narrative possibilities.
Batman Unburied: Fallen City Has Made Me Even More Excited For What DCU’s Batman Movie Could Hold
The Unique Narrative Has Renewed My Enthusiasm For Another Batman Adaptation
Batman is one of DC’s most commonly adapted heroes, so much so that Matt Reeves’The Batmantrilogy will likely run parallel to the DCU’s own adaptation of the Caped Crusader inThe Brave and the Bold. This could be worrying, butI’m pretty confident that Gunn’s take on Batman will be suitably distinct from Matt Reeves'.Batman Unburied: Fallen Cityis an exciting look at how this might take shape, especially as it includes such unrealistic concepts as the Lazarus Pit, something which would feel decidedly out of place in Reeves' grounded universe.
I’ve no doubt that The Brave and the Bold is in safe hands with James Gunn, and with his track record of drawing inspiration from some of DC’s most compelling material, I hope he’s included Batman Unburied: Fallen City in his “to listen” list.
Ultimately, I’m enthused by the possibilities.Batman Unburied: Fallen Cityshows that an adaptation can be filled to the brim with unique characters and faithful to Batman’s lore. I’ve no doubt thatThe Brave and the Boldis in safe hands with James Gunn, and with his track record of drawing inspiration from some of DC’s most compelling material, I hope he’s includedBatman Unburied: Fallen Cityin his “to listen” list.
The Brave and the Bold
The Brave and the Bold will introduce audiences to a new Batman in the DC Universe, focusing on the unique dynamic between the Dark Knight and his son, Damian Wayne, who takes on the mantle of Robin. This film marks yet another reboot for the iconic vigilante superhero.
