The power of the Caped Crusader cannot be underestimated, as the Spotify Podcast original Batman Unburied has recently assumed the top spot for all Spotify Podcasts. The audio drama, which currently only has four episodes available, will be releasing weekly episodes till the end of June of this year. The series has ten episodes planned, culminating in a truly unique approach to the Batman mythos, which is more true crime serial than a fantastic comic strip.
The series already has notoriety, unseating the popular Joe Rogan podcast and wearing the crown as the most popular Spotify podcast. So what is Batman Unburied? For starters, it is absolutely incredible. It is a brand new story that amplifies the fun and mystery. The creators are breaking new ground here, giving this production its massive drawing power.
The show Batman Unburied is a narrative audio drama, playing out familiar characters in Gotham City but in a new and bold way. Devotees of the Batman world will recognize references such as The Calendar Man, the infamous pearls (in a different context), and seedy city locales such as Park Row. In the first two episodes, Bruce Wayne isn’t a jaded orphan who prowls the street in cape and cowl, stomping on evil-doers and foiling their plans. Rather, Wayne trades in his gadgets for a scalpel. He is a forensic pathologist; his parents, Thomas and Martha, are very much alive. Dr. Wayne (Sr.) is a respected physician and surgeon, and Dr. Martha Wayne holds a PhD. They’re very much involved in Bruce’s life, and we can get a glimpse of what might’ve been.
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But what hasn’t changed is Bruce’s approach to justice. He has systematically studied the victims of a new serial killer, known as The Harvester. Bruce’s psyche is still just as vibrant and unique as always. He regards his victims with a fervent empathy for their demise, inserting himself as the victim while he studies the cadavers produced by The Harvester’s activities.
That exploration is just in the first two episodes. There is a narrative shift in the next two episodes. We accompany Detective Barbara Gordon as she undertakes unconventional and sometimes unethical schemes to further locate and capture The Harvester. Each episode so far ends on a meaty hook, making the episodic release of each story more enticing.
Among the show’s many strengths are its true originality and the bold risks it takes. There are a lot of permissive latitudes that will contrast with the established Batman storylines that have come in the 80 years before. But this new direction is respectful to the source and treats fans with respect.
The production of this audio drama is absolutely top-notch. The gritty and gnarly foley audio of windows breaking, cars crashing, and autopsies give the different settings incredible depth and scope. The cast is absolutely fantastic. Winston Duke (Black Panther) is commanding yet sympathetic as Bruce Wayne. Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin) conveys true poignancy and flair as Barbara Gordon. The rest of the cast, which includes Hasan Minhaj, Jason Isaacs, Sam Witwer, Lance Reddick, John Rhys-Davies, and Ashly Burch, carries their weight with conviction, no matter how minor their roles.
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Batman Unburied was created by David S. Goyer (whose screenwriting credits include Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy) and is produced by Warner Bros., DC Entertainment, Phantom Four, Wolf at the Door, and Blue Ribbon Content. It is available now on Spotify.