BATMAN: THE AUDIO ADVENTURES (Review)

HBO Max, a streaming service, has released the first 20 half-hour episodes of Batman: The Audio Adventures, which borrows the flavor and format of the great Batman: The Animated Adventures and converts these adventures into the format of an old-time radio program. (Since radio drama is not technically a thing these days, the studio aptly described this as “The Audio Adventures.”)

After years of crime fighting, the long-rumored Batman (a masked vigilante) has been verified as existent and prepares to become an official member of the Gotham City Police Department. But while the caped crusader is combating crime and facing off against Two Face, The Joker, The Riddler, and others, a rift deepens between himself and Catwoman, who has been using Gotham criminals for financial gain.

 

Like any audio adventure, the magic is not letting the audience peak behind the curtain. Actress Melissa Villasenor voices Robin and you would not know if you were not told who voiced the boy wonder. Jeffrey Wright, who I loved in the HBO series Westworld, voices Bruce Wayne/Batman and his voice fits perfectly for the character.

Seth Myers, John Leguizamo, Rosario Dawson, Brent Spiner Jason Sudeikis, Bradley Whitford and Brooke Shields play recurring roles on this series, adding to the long list of talent.

 

The character of Two Face more of the contemporary version: the idea that the two sides of his face are arguing with each other. In the comic books, this is not how Two-Face behaves. Among the earliest rendition of this interpretation was in Batman Forever when Tommy Lee Jones played the role. In the comic books, Two-Face was obsessed with the dual nature of certain things but in this rendition he is schizophrenic.

 

The interconnecting plotlines features all the classic criminals, with tongue-in-cheek humor, witty one-liners, easter eggs for those who know their Batman lore, and enough fun to warrant listening to these while driving to see family this holiday season.