Batman‘s next DC show will be making one of the last villains most people would expect into a seeming close ally of the Dark Knight and his nearest and dearest. Though Batman’s rogues gallery are more often than not shown trying to murder or destroy the DC hero in a range of creative ways, having one or several villains ally themselves with Gotham’s protector isn’t unheard of.
With characters like Catwoman often intentionally being kept on the line between being an ally of the Dark Knight and being his enemy, it’s no surprise DC’s next upcoming release makes one villain into a far friendlier figure than usual. What’s perhaps more notable is the figure who’s been chosen for this role, and how this contrasts with how the franchise tends to operate.
November 2025’s Batman Show Is Set To Make Man-Bat Part Of The Family
Damian giving Man-Bat a high five in Bat-Fam
Having been an established part of the Batman mythos since the 70s, Man-Bat has had a range of appearances in the comics and on-screen since his introduction into the world of Gotham. Of course, this has been first and foremost as an antagonist, with the core concept of the mutated scientist being intentionally the exact opposite of Batman himself.
However, DC’s next Batman show appears to be taking more of a sympathetic perspective on the character. Bat-Fam’s trailer shows Man-Bat interacting with Damian Wayne and the Batman household as seemingly essentially a part of the family, and Man-Bat voice actor has effectively confirmed as much, stating in an interview with Screen Rant that:
“He’s kind of just around the house and doing his own thing, eating pistachios and having a wonderful time… I really enjoy playing it. He’s a kooky little weirdo, and I love it.”
Given Man-Bat has often either been entirely ignored by Batman adaptations or otherwise characterized as a more bestial and thus almost mindless antagonist in part, seeing Bat-Fam instead make the character a part of Batman’s weird and wonderful extended family is surprisingly heart-warming – and a decision that works on several levels.
Why Giving Man-Bat Part Of The Bat-Family Is A Perfect Call
Batman stood looking off-screen in the I’m Batman Scene in Batman (1989)
Over the course of Batman’s extensive history, several characters who were initially more direct villains have been given a range of different characterizations that depict them as more sympathetic, letting them delve into antihero or direct hero territory. However, this is a treatment that has previously been less afforded to the likes of Man-Bat.
Despite the fact that Man-Bat is fascinating in terms of being an intentional contrast to the Dark Knight himself, more popular DC characters have generally gotten focused on in this way over Kirk Langstrom – and while that does make sense to a degree, it does also mean the franchise has largely missed out on an opportunity to explore an underrated figure who works particularly well alongside Batman.
Naturally, the fact Bat-Fam delves into this largely unexplored opportunity makes the upcoming show all the more exciting, and underlines the unique approach the Batman series appears set to take when it comes to the Caped Crusader’s wider lore and world.