GOTHAM KNIGHTS: Latest Reviews Declare The CW's BATMAN TV Series As Outdated And Embarrassing

GOTHAM KNIGHTS: Latest Reviews Declare The CW's BATMAN TV Series As Outdated And Embarrassing

More reviews for Gotham Knight have swooped online, and it doesn't sound like The CW's Batman TV show, minus Batman, is a win for the network. Find more details on what to expect after the jump...

By JoshWilding - Mar 14, 2023 10:03 AM EST
Filed Under: Gotham

Gotham Knights premieres on The CW tonight, and to say that there's a lot of excitement for the series...well, that would be an exaggeration. From the start, fans have been left confused about everything from the title - which is exactly the same as a video game released last year - to the fact it will revolve around a newly created character called Turner Hayes. 

A couple of weeks ago, a number of fansites shared their verdicts on the show, with the majority of those reviews far from positive. While it seems the Batman-themed series has a few redeeming qualities (Misha Collins as Harvey Dent, for example), there really aren't that many based on what we've heard about the first six episodes!

Now, the trades have weighed in and while we know they're often not the biggest fans of comic book adaptations, The Wrap definitely doesn't go easy on this one!

"It’s possible that 'Gotham Knights' might have felt edgy or unique 20 years ago, when 'Smallville’s' whole gimmick was doing a Superman story without actually showing Superman in costume," the site states. "But in 2023 the superhero zeitgeist has mostly moved on — both on the big screen and small."

"There’s too much other quality content based on comic book universes populating the broadcast and streaming landscape to make this feel like anything other than an embarrassing afterthought."

As for The Hollywood Reporter's review, they conclude by saying, "Without enough style or personality to shed new light on this world, though, Gotham Knights‘ darkness starts to look awfully dull....but if [the cast is] really determined to blaze a new trail forward for Gotham City, these knights will need to start by not retreating so readily into its past."

Not all the reviews are this dire, but Gotham Knights sounds like another mediocre DC TV series that pales in comparison to the Arrowverse's early days. That shared world is nearing its end, of course, and this one will be entirely standalone from that and Batwoman

Will you be tuning into Gotham Knights on The CW?

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TheUnworthyThor
TheUnworthyThor - 3/14/2023, 11:02 AM
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 3/14/2023, 11:05 AM
Someone owed or did someone a favour to get this shit greenlit.
noahthegrand
noahthegrand - 3/14/2023, 11:06 AM
I’m very excited to watch, mostly because Two-Face is my favorite Batman villain
Tufasrox
Tufasrox - 3/14/2023, 11:14 AM
@noahthegrand - that’s the only thing that’s got me curious.
Repian
Repian - 3/14/2023, 11:24 AM
@noahthegrand - Only watch the episodes relevant to the development of Two-Face
noahthegrand
noahthegrand - 3/14/2023, 12:21 PM
@Tufasrox - well I know I’m not watching for “Turner Hayes”, though I have nothing against the actor, I’m just unsure why they couldn’t use any of the actual Bat children?
The1st
The1st - 3/14/2023, 1:34 PM
@noahthegrand - Oh I am happy for the cast, love Micha too, but...I am assuming this couldn't be written off.

MarioT1000
MarioT1000 - 3/14/2023, 2:17 PM
@Repian - even better.. only Youtube the scenes relevant 😂
noahthegrand
noahthegrand - 3/14/2023, 6:39 PM
@Tufasrox - in regards to Duela Dent, who is also on this show. I’ve always thought giving Harvey Dent a daughter is an interesting idea that I don’t think has ever had it’s potential met. I doubt this show will be able to meet that potential but it’s strange for as long as that character has existed, she’s only interacted with Two-Face once or twice in her entire history
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 3/14/2023, 7:15 PM
@noahthegrand - Because of the dumbass Bat embargo that exists since forever for the most idiotic reasons. During the run of the animated TV show The Batman they were not able to use for the firt 2 Seasons Robin because Teen Titans was using him, they had to wait till TT ended in 2006 and then they were able to do so.

Turns out they're just as protective about all the damn Robins that they never have used on the big screen as they're with Batman so they did not let them use Dick, Tim, Jason nor Damian. That's pretty much why they had to come up with a new character.

Funny thing though: they don't have an issue with the female Robins like Carrie Kelly and Stephanie Brown who will be series regular in the show.
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 3/14/2023, 7:22 PM
@noahthegrand - Her origins have always been purposefully vague and in-between being Joker's as the show teases but also falling in somewhere in Harvey's courtyard. I wouldn't rule out that part of the mysteries will be finding out who are her parents, at least as a sub-plot.
Tufasrox
Tufasrox - 3/16/2023, 4:57 AM
@noahthegrand - yah that might be interesting too. I guess it also makes no sense that he’s NOT starting as Two Face given Batman has been around so long and starts out dead in the show.. Some extreme liberties taken before it even starts.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 3/14/2023, 11:09 AM
That describes pretty well how I fell about it. If they wanna do Batman without showing Batman, just make a show about crooks being hunter by Batman in an Alien Isolation style.
CaptainFlapjaks
CaptainFlapjaks - 3/14/2023, 12:38 PM
@bkmeijer1 - good idea, or just have it be centered around the bat family with no bruce. I think people would dig a show with dick, babs, jason and tim/damien. But that wont happen as long as titans is still going.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 3/14/2023, 12:43 PM
@CaptainFlapjaks - I think they should atleast have Bruce Wayne appear then. Reason I'm not interested in Gotham Knights (the show) or Gotham Knights (the game) is the lack of him.
The1st
The1st - 3/14/2023, 1:37 PM
@bkmeijer1 - Assault on Arkham showed how to pace and imply Batman's presence even if he is not the main man. I am sure there's a reason, but I am baffled as to why WB can't figure out in love action? ...probably less meddling.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 3/14/2023, 3:34 PM
@The1st - Assault on Arkham is still a great movie.

And it did get that pacing right. A lot of animated superheroes movie do, which kinda impresses me as they're often only 75 minutes long.
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 3/14/2023, 11:12 AM
It's CW.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 3/14/2023, 11:13 AM
“This doesn’t hurt the DC brand”
DudeGuy
DudeGuy - 3/14/2023, 11:50 AM
@GhostDog - it really doesn’t seeing as how no one outside of the geek community knows about it. I honestly only remember it when an article pops up about it. It’s completely out of sight, out of mind.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 3/14/2023, 11:17 AM
The shows are written by tik tok stooges
xfactor
xfactor - 3/14/2023, 11:23 AM
I anticipate the announcement next week from the network informing they will not be moving forward and ordering this to series. What a waste.
FinnishDude
FinnishDude - 3/14/2023, 11:26 AM
I know that WB has a weird stick in their butt when it comes to characters appearing on tv-shows, while having active movie franchises, but it's super weird that outside of the 60's show there hasn't been a proper live-action Batman show. The character is very popular, tv-budget friendly and could easily have a "case/villain of the week" format.
IronGenesis
IronGenesis - 3/14/2023, 11:26 AM
Dark Times

AntMan was a critical and box office disaster
Shazam2 looks to be the same (well at least box office)
MCU can’t be execute the Multiverse in any coherent fashion
DC is doing outdated television shows
Brie Larson is being her best self
Ezra Miller is well…in flux

I mean…

Help me Robert Downey, Jr. you’re our only hope!

(Oh and the Elseworlds Batman and Joker films)
Origame
Origame - 3/14/2023, 11:46 AM
@IronGenesis - isn't it strange post twilight that Robert Pattinson has become a bright spot in cinema? He somehow has become the light at the end of this dark tunnel of mediocrity.
Luigi
Luigi - 3/14/2023, 11:51 AM
@Origame - I find it weird how much pressure a third Guardians movie has. For a movie you would think wouldn't have much expectations, if it's not good that's pretty bad news for Marvel AND DC.
Origame
Origame - 3/14/2023, 11:53 AM
@Luigi - I mean, I don't see it as being that high. Like it's not starting anything for marvel, in fact it's ending a whole part of it for them. And Gunn will still have a strong track record even if guardians 3 is poorly received.
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