I was wondering if DC would ever make a pre-school cartoon now that Marvel is making one. I guess Krypto the Superdog skewed younger, but I don't know if that counts.
Latest blog update (November 5th, 2022).
This is pretty much that joke from the Teen Titans Go! to the Movies where they announce making a movie based on the Batmobile.
Edited by 123tbones on Oct 6th 2020 at 3:22:56 AM
Funny that Micheal Stern wrote a little on Beware the Batman (the episode "Control"), seeing as that show's Batmobile/Bat-Computer had some sentience there too.
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
The same movie joked about an Alfred spin-off, and look where it led us.
x2: You're probably right, I can't really put my finger on DC trying for a straight pre-school show in the past. They've had more "younger-leaning" shows like the aforementioned Krypto and the animated adaptation of Imaginext's DC Super Friends, but neither are traditionally educational besides universal basic morals. Educational video games and books are a different matter though.
The premise admittedly sounds pretty weird and reminiscent of the age-old preschool premise of "anthropomorphic partners helping humans," like PAW Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Dragons: Rescue Riders, and even a classic like Bob the Builder.
Though I suppose it's not really a bad thing, as Stern does have some experience in that field, and DC branching out to appeal to an even broader demo is a good idea. I'm honestly shocked that it'll air on Cartoon Network, with a simulcast implication for HBO Max, seeing as CN left the preschool market as quickly as it entered in 2005.
It must be Sam Register's doing, as head of both Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios now, meaning this is his first major known contribution since taking the position.
Edited by XMenMutant22 on Oct 6th 2020 at 6:57:18 AM
At 4:08, you can see a brief glimpse of the show.
They should just make an animated cartoon of JL 8.
Mollie Mc Elvain has said that she joined the show as a storyboard revisionist. While the projects aren't out yet, she also did work on Jellystone and Space Jam: A New Legacy.
https://dou-hong.format.com/resume
Dou Hong's resume said that she helped with some visual development for the series.
The cast of Batwheels will be announced on Monday September 13 during a Cartoonito virtual birthday party.
The voice cast for Batwheels was announced. This includes
Jacob Bertrand (Cobra Kai) as Bam
Jordan Reed (Chuggington) as Redbird
Madigan Kacmar (Chuggington) as Bibi
Noah Bentley (Elliott from Earth) as Buff
Lilimar (Cleopatra in Space) as Batwing
Kimberly D. Brooks (DC Super Hero Girls) as The Batcomputer
Mick Wingert (What If?) as Moe
Ethan Hawke (The Good Lord Bird) as Batman
AJ Hudson (The Good Place) as Duke Thomas/Robin
Leah Lewis (Nancy Drew) as Cassandra Cain/Batgirl
Some first looks at the character designs. Honestly, it's a bold move giving Duke Thomas and Cassandra Cain the mantles of Robin and Batgirl right from the get-go. In fact, this is Duke's first animated appearance! Cassie's costume does come across more like Barbara's attire though.
- Ethan Hawke (The Good Lord Bird) as Batman — Gotham City’s greatest protector who keeps the streets safe from any and all threats. Even though Batman doesn’t communicate directly with the Batwheels, he acts as a father figure. They absolutely seek his approval and trust while they fight alongside him. Hawke is represented by CAA, MGMT Entertainment and ID.
- AJ Hudson (The Good Place) as Duke Thomas/Robin — The Boy Wonder who loves sinking his teeth into a great detective mystery while he strives to prove himself alongside Batman. Hudson is represented by Abbie Waters from Osbrink Agency and Tanesia Tramell from Eleven 7 Artist Management.
- Leah Lewis (Nancy Drew) as Cassandra Cain/Batgirl — The first Asian-American Batgirl as first introduced in the comics. In Batwheels, Cassandra is the “big sister”, tech-savvy daredevil of the Bat-Family. She loves ripping around the streets of Gotham City on her motorcycle and always wants to be in the center of the action.
- Jacob Bertrand (Cobra Kai) as Bam — The Batmobile and leader of the Batwheels team. Like his hero Batman, Bam has a strong sense of justice and tries his best to lead the team, even though he’s not always sure he’s up for the task. Ultimately, the other Batwheels know they can count on him, both as a super teammate, and as a friend.
- Jordan Reed (Chuggington) as Redbird — Robin’s zippy sports car. “Red” is the kid brother of the team, always eager to prove himself a worthy sidekick to Bam but he can definitely hold his own on a mission. He’s enthusiastic and extremely inquisitive, asking tons of questions, like a kid detective.
- Madigan Kacmar (Chuggington) as Bibi — Batgirl’s brave and bold motorcycle. She is the fastest of the Batwheels, but also the smallest, so she sometimes has a habit of being impulsive and jumping right into the action without a plan. Kacmar is represented by Bonnie Shumofsky Bloom at Stewart Talent Agency.
- Noah Bentley (Elliott from Earth) as Buff — This Bat-styled monster truck is the team’s muscle and can ram through or run over any obstacle in his path, but he’s also the heart of the team – a gentle giant who doesn’t really know his own strength. Bentley is represented by CESD.
- Lilimar (Cleopatra in Space) as Batwing — Batman’s supersonic jet plane, “Wing” is easily the most sophisticated, and confident member of the team. Lilimar is represented by CESD and LINK.
- Kimberly D. Brooks (DC Super Hero Girls) as The Batcomputer — She is the supervisor, dispatcher and trainer of the team – but most importantly she is also their mother figure. In addition to training and advising them, she must be there to comfort them and even hold their mechanical hands when needed. Brooks is represented by Cynthia Mc Lean at SBV Talent.
- Mick Wingert (What If?) as Moe — Batman’s robot repairman who facilitates repairs and upkeep on his fleet of vehicles. He is a well-equipped, highly efficient mechanic who can fix almost any vehicular glitch, but not without a healthy dose of sarcasm. Wingert is represented by Heather Dame at Atlas Talent Agency.
Edited by XMenMutant22 on Sep 13th 2021 at 2:10:26 PM
The sleepiest good boi
Holy shit, Cass is actually in something?! And not like she was "in" the Harley Quinn movie ft. the Birds of Prey?
DiDio really is gone.
Disney100 Marathon | DreamWorks Marathon
And eventually, they were rescued by oh, let's say Moe
Now Young Justice has no excuse. 
I have mixed feelings overall, though. Finally, Cass as Batgirl in animation, and Duke gets some exposure. But, it seems like they just grafted Barbara's character unto Cass and Duke's whole deal is rejecting the Robin mantle for something more unique. But I guess they needed a non-white traditional Robin and Duke was the best option.
Color me interested overall, though.
Latest blog update (November 5th, 2022).
Apparently, this sneak peek of Batwheels was shown yesterday (presumably during the Cartoonito live stream). It's of Bam going up against the Joker car.
It does feel like using Duke and Cassandra is a fancy variant on doing a Race Lift. Like, obviously Batgirl won't be Gordon's daughter but I don't expect elements specific to these characters to show up. Closer than In Name Only Cassandra from DCEU but I would love to see even more more faithful take on Cass.
I find it hilarious that Batman's build makes me think of Frank Miller's Batman...only you know, complete opposite of gritty.
I wonder how Rogues Gallery will look like, it's already crazy that Joker owns a van with AI. I would expect something from ]Mr Freeze, Two-Face, Riddler, Penguin and Catwoman. Maybe Bane, Harley Quinn, Mad Hatter or Scarecrow? I have hard time picturing Ivy showing up. Killer Moth would be perfect for some flyer but because of name, I'd expect rather Firefly.
Speaking of, I wonder how show will balance using vehicles and actual people.
Godzilla
I’d say that the Villain Cars could take inspiration from the vehicle segments in LEGO Batman… which would give this show the distinction of having the only superheroes with an iceberg in their Rogues Gallery.
SKREEEEEEEONK!Here's a convinent video of the DC Fandome coverage for Batwheels. It includes interviews and new animated footage:
Here's a video from the DC Kids Fandome livestream that was put on the Cartoonito You Tube channel.
The voice cast and designs of Batman's Rogues Gallery, along with their vehicles "The Legion of Zoom", have been revealed:
Rodriguez will play Catwoman. Maridueña will voice Mr. Freeze’s Snowy the Snowcrawler and Kenny will play Crash, Badcomputer’s robotic minion. Snowy and Crash are among the Legion of Zoom, a team of sentient vehicles brought to computerized life by Badcomputer, the new ultimate computer of the DC Universe.
The rogues and Legion of Zoom go bumper-to-bumper against the Batwheels heroes, made up of by the previously announced Ethan Hawke (Batman), Jacob Bertrand (Bam the Batmobile) and AJ Hudson (Duke Thomas, aka Robin).
Additional rogues include Mick Wingert (the Joker), Chandni Parekh (Harley Quinn), Sungwon Cho (the Riddler), Jess Harnell (Penguin), Regi Davis (Mr. Freeze) and James Arnold Taylor (Toyman).
Beyond Maridueña and Kenny, the Legion of Zoom consists of Griffin Burns as Prank, the Joker’s favorite ride; Alexandra Novelle as Jetstah, Harley Quinn’s souped-up ATV; Josey Montana Mc Coy as Quizz, Riddler’s helicopter; Ariyan Kassam as Ducky, Penguin’s boat; and Sungwon Cho as Badcomputer.
Edited by XMenMutant22 on May 19th 2022 at 2:17:41 PM
Godzilla
“Legion of Zoom” is a terrible pun and I love it for that.
SKREEEEEEEONK!
I think I would have preferred if all the show was just a cars styled world in which everything and everyone is a car and that's it but I guess having the human characters alongside their cars lets them sell more toys.
A brand new trailer, showing off the cast, has been revealed:
Goku Black
The only thing I'm sad about is no Eobard Thawne/Professor Zoom in the Legion of Zoom.
"That's right mortal. By channeling my divine rage into power, I have forged a new instrument in which to destroy you."
Alleged episode title leaks for season one and season two. Apparently, we're not only getting a second season already, but some episodes tease Poison Ivy, Clayface, and Music Meister appearances.
https://deadline.com/2020/10/batwheels-series-cartoon-network-hbo-max-warner-bros-animation-1234592169/
There's a preschool DC cartoon that's going to air on Cartoon Network and HBO Max called Bat Wheels.
"They are a team of incredible crimefighters who have banded together to oppose evil, combat crime and clean up the streets of Gotham City. They are…okay, they’re NOT Batman and Robin. They’re the Batwheels - an awesome group of sentient super-powered crime-fighting vehicles defending Gotham City alongside Batman, Robin, Batgirl and a host of DC Super Heroes. Having just been created by the Batcomputer, our heroes are essentially kids with little to no life experience. Led by Bam (The Batmobile), the Batwheels - Bibi (The Batgirl Cycle), Red (The Redbird), Jett (The Batwing) and Buff (The Bat Truck) – must navigate the growing pains of being a newly formed super team as well as the growing pains that come with just being a kid. This relatable and aspirational series will follow the journey of this dynamic team as they thrill and entertain with their heroic adventures as well as demonstrate to kids the value of self-confidence, friendship and teamwork."
The showrunner is Michael G. Stern. He's known for his work on Sofia the First , Doc McStuffins , and the tv movie Lucky Duck. He also wrote an episode of Beware the Batman .