Batman: Caped Crusader, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, has made significant changes to many of its core characters. As such, many fans are wondering which characters from the Batman mythos have been altered for the show. The series is set during Batman’s early career in crime fighting. Bruce Timm, who famously made the 90s’ iconic Batman: The Animated Series is the showrunner.
Here is our breakdown of all the characters changed for Batman: Caped Crusader.
List of all altered characters in Batman: Caped Crusader
Batman: Caped Crusader has made changes to the following characters’ portrayals.
1. Penguin
Penguin aka Oswald Cobblepot is famously a male villain in most Batman media. However, Batman: Caped Crusader has taken a different approach with the character and changed their gender to female. The character is now Oswalda Cobblepot. While sharp and menacing like the original Penguin, this character has some key differences. She is taller than the original Penguin, who typically has a short stature, and she is also a parent to two boys, Aaron and Ronald.
2. Harley Quinn
Another character changed for Batman: Caped Crusader is Harley Quinn. The character is famously known for her deep ties to Joker. However, the series has chosen to make her more independent and has instead made her a therapist by day and a criminal by night. As a therapist, Dr. Harleen Quinzel delves into the psychologies of Gotham’s elite figures. However, at night, she uses her Harley Quinn persona to cause psychological problems for her enemies, even influencing them to fulfill her whims and desires.
Moreover, her costume is also noticeably different, consisting mainly of yellow and green overalls compared to the traditional black and red.
3. Barbara Gordon
In the comics and most Batman media, Barbara Gordon is depicted as the vigilante Batgirl and is a skilled computer hacker and specialist. However, Batman: Caped Crusader portrays her as a defense attorney much to her father’s disapproval. She is also depicted as being skilled with a gun.
4. Catwoman
In most Batman media and comics, Catwoman is a highly skilled thief with a humble background. However, Caped Crusader portrays the character as a wealthy woman from an elite family, running in the same social circle as Bruce Wayne.
5. Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred Pennyworth in Batman: Caped Crusader is mostly the same character with the same purpose as Bruce Wayne’s butler and first source of help. However, their dynamic is different in Caped Crusader to most modern depictions, which imply a close familial-like bond between the two characters. In Caped Crusader, there is only a professional relationship between them, with Batman simply addressing Alfred by his last name and seeing him as a dutiful assistant.
6. Harvey Bullock
Counter to his traditional depiction as a noble and trustworthy cop despite his gruff demeanor, Batman: Caped Crusader’s Harvey Bullock is a corrupt cop. Bullock’s role as a corrupt cop in the series is traditionally given to his partner, Arnold Flass.
7. Harvey Dent / Two-Face
Harvey Dent/Two-Face’s portrayal in Batman: Caped Crusader is significantly different from most Batman media. While Harvey Dent is traditionally depicted as a troubled but ultimately honest District Attorney with a strong sense of justice, prior to his tragic transformation, Caped Crusader portrays Dent as a corrupt DA, who lets wealthy criminals get away with their crimes.
Moreover, the scarred part of Two-Face’s face has the same color as his skin. This is different from most depictions, where the scarred part of his face has a noticeably different color.
8. Robins (Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Stephanie Brown, and Carrie Kelley)
In most Batman media, the Robins Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Stephanie Brown, and Carrie Kelley had separate upbringings before meeting each other and teaming up. However, Batman: Caped Crusader portrays them as fellow orphans residing at the same orphanage run by Dr. Leslie Thompkins. Moreover, Dick and Stephanie are referred to as “Dickie” and “Stephie” in Caped Crusader.
