Batwheels is an American animated superhero children's television series that first premiered on September 17, 2022, on HBO Max and then on October 17, 2022, on Cartoon Network's preschool block Cartoonito. The series is the second ever preschool TV series based on the DC comic books.

Development

On October 6th, 2020, it was announced that an animated preschool series centered around the Batmobile was in development at Warner Bros. Animation, set to premiere on Cartoon Network's then-upcoming preschool block Cartoonito and HBO Max. According to Tom Ascheim, president of the now-defunct Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics, the series was greenlit due to its concept being fit for the studio's focus on preschool projects. Michael G. Stern serves as developer and co-executive producer, with Simon J. Smith as supervising producer, and Steven Fink and Caroline Karmel producing. Stern was brought into the project early in development, as WB explored ideas for preschool-oriented DC shows, while Smith was brought after Stern wrote the first scripts for the series. In December 2022, the series was renewed for a second season, with Stern and Smith being promoted to executive producers.

Casting: During the aforementioned 2021 DC FanDome convention event, Cobra Kai star, Jacob Bertrand, announced himself to be the voice behind Bam the Batmobile; while announcing a sneak peek of the show, he announced Ethan Hawke as the voice of Batman, three decades after the actor turned down the role in Joel Schumacher's Batman Forever. whilst A.J. Hudson announced himself to voice the Duke Thomas incarnation of Robin.

Writing: While writing the series, Stern wanted to avoid "kiddifying" the characters, as he felt children should be introduced to the characters through faithful portrayals and was also requested to respect the characters. For Batman, he wrote the character to stay faithful to most interpretations, with only his violence being toned down. He also wrote the villains with "a lane" that stayed faithful to their classical portrayals while still fitting the target audience, such as portraying Harley Quinn as a fun-loving prankster. When creating The Batwheels, the writers wanted them to be perceived as "lovable" and "fun" characters for the audience, in order to avoid the children only watching the show for Batman. In order to accomplish this, they tested the personalities for each character with a test group, who received the characters positively. The writers also wanted to avoid portraying The Legion of Zoom as mere copies of their owners, to which they gave each vehicle their own characteristics, such as portraying Prank, the Joker's van, as "a surfer dude".

Music: The series' score has been composed by Alex Geringas, while the theme song was performed and produced by Andy Sturmer, who previously composed the themes for the series The Batman and Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Sturmer also co-wrote the theme alongside Stern.

Reception

Positive

Batwheels has been well-received for the animation, Geringas' score, the voice-acting and for its wholesome story and message of teamwork.

Negative

Awards and Nominations/Accolades

• The series earned a nomination for "Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production for Preschool Children" at the 51st Annie Awards, specifically for the episode "To the Batmobile!".

Batwheels Crews

Superprod Studio

Snowball Studios

ICON Creative Studio

Merchandises