The Batman (TV series)

The Batman is an American web television series created for Netflix by Zack Snyder, based on the DC Comics character of the same name. It is set in the DCNU (DC Netflix Universe), sharing continuity with the other Netflix DC series. The series is produced by Warner Bros, in association with Berlanti Productions. Marc Guggenheim and Greg Berlanti served as showrunners for the series, with Snyder being a consultant.

Armie Hammer stars as Bruce Wayne/Batman, a billionaire businessman-by-day who fights crime as a costumed vigilante at night. Bryan Cranston, Nicholas D'Agosto, Michelle Rodriguez, Dina Meyer, Emily VanCamp, Eva Green, Mehcad Brooks, Crystal Reed, Emma Stone, Nicholas Hamilton, Joe Mantegna, John Doman, and Jeremy Irons joined Hammer for the first season.

All episodes of the first season were released on Netflix on February 1, 2013, while the second season was released in its entirety on February 14, 2014. Ten days before the second was released, The Batman was renewed for a third season, which premiered on February 27, 2015, followed by a fourth season, released on March 4, 2016. In May of the same year, the series was renewed for a fifth and sixth season, to be filmed back-to-back. In November 2017, the sixth season was confirmed to be the final season.

Premise
The first season introduces the main characters and reveals Bruce Wayne's plan to end corruption in Gotham, while Detective Jim Gordon and attorney Harvey Dent attempt to bring down the "Batman", while also dealing with their own personal lives. Journalist Vicki Vale becomes intrigued by the Batman and investigates him, bringing her into contact with Detective Renee Montoya, who quickly becomes a vigilante herself. Meanwhile, in the background of Gotham City, a gang war rages.

The second season features more flashbacks showing Bruce's time in Nanda Parbat, coinciding with the return of Talia al Ghul, who is warning Bruce of her father's interest in Gotham. Socialite Oswald Cobblepot takes over the remaining Falcone forces, while the mysterious Selina Kyle arrives in Gotham with a fortune of her own. Dent continues his downward spiral, as Barbara gets more involved with the Batman, and meets teenage acrobat Dick Grayson.

In the third season, the League of Shadows wages war against the Batman, forcing him to use as many allies as he can get. More heroes, including Spoiler and Batwing are introduced, while villains such as Clayface, Mr. Freeze, and Poison Ivy get their origin stories.

The fourth season has the Batman Family coping with Bruce's supposed death in many ways, but Barbara is convinced he is alive. The team meets Bruce's old friend Tommy Elliot, who seems to be trouble, while the shadowy figure known as the Joker takes Batman's disappearance as a sign to unveil himself to the city.

The two final seasons features the set-up of the Crisis of Infinite Earths storyline, while the Joker remains an integral character. The Riddler and Bane appear as major adversaries for season five, while the Anti-Monitor is alluded to as a behind-the-scenes force for season six. Eventually, the No Man's Land arc is adapted for the final episodes.