The Dark Knight is returning to animation – with some very interesting new creators.

HBO Max and Cartoon Network have announced that they have launched a direct order for the series for what the press release describes as “a brand new animated series and a reinvention of Batman mythology.” It will be titled Batman: Hooded Crusader, and it features a creative team as impressive as animation, with JJ Abrams, Matt Reeves and longtime DC Comics host and artist Bruce Timm as executive producers.

Here is their collective commentary on the news, via the press release:

We’re more than excited to be working together to bring this character back, to tell some compelling new stories in Gotham City. The series will be thrilling, cinematic, and evocative of Batman’s dark roots, while delving deeper into the psychology of these iconic characters. We can’t wait to share this new world.

The new show will supposedly use “cutting-edge animation techniques and technologies” and “reimagine Batman and his iconic rogue gallery with sophisticated storytelling, nuanced characters, and intense action sequences, all set in a visually world. striking. “

Timm was one of the main creators of Batman: The Animated Series, which is still considered one of the character’s artistic strengths across all mediums. Along with Paul Dini, he also co-created the character of Harley Quinn. Reeves is currently finishing The batman, the latest film version of The Dark Knight, starring Robert Pattinson as the main character. He and Abrams have collaborated on numerous occasions in the past, including on the TV series. Congratulated and their monster movie hit Cloverfield.

Here is the full overview of Crusader in hat:

The image evokes both the Batman: The Animated Series style, as well as the look of Batman in his first appearances in Detective Comics, when he had giant curved ears. Then maybe Crusader in hat will be more of an origin story? Whatever the form of the project, it is an intriguing concept and group of producers.