News
News on Batwheels. In most cases a link will accompany each headline back to the original article.
News on the DCAU originates from animation and comic book related news sites, personal staff forums or comic book conventions. Fans beware, in some cases, false news does get spread among the Internet.
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News
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Television Series Season 1 News
October 6, 2020: There will be a preschool animated action-adventure comedy titled "Batwheels" that will aire on Cartoon Network and stream on HBO Max. It will star the Batmobile, named Bam. Cast includes Bibi (The Batgirl Cycle), Red (The Redbird), Jett (The Batwing) and Buff (The Bat Truck), sentient super-powered crime-fighting vehicles who defend Gotham City alongside Batman, Robin, Batgirl and a host of DC Super Heroes. Michael G. Stern serves as co-executive producer, Simon J. Smith is supervising producer and Steven Fink of Bang Zoom Ltd. is producer. Production has begun. CBR Article
February 17, 2021: First look footage of Batmobile chasing Joker van in Cartoonito sizzle reel at 0:07, 0:13, 0:43, 4:08 marks. User CNC YT
June 17, 2021: Millie McElvain started doing storyboard revisions this week. Mollie McElvain instagram
September 3, 2021: The cast will be announced on September 13 during a virtual one-hour interactive event celebrating the Cartoonito launch, "Nito's Birthday Party," at CartoonitoParty.com on Monday, September 13 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET. Animation Magazine Article
September 13, 2021: Ethan Hawke voices Batman, Jacob Bertrand as Bam, Jordan Reed as Redbird, Madigan Kacmar as Bibi, Noah Bentley as Buff, Lilimar as Batwing, Kimberly D. Brooks as the Batcomputer, Mick Wingert as Moe, AJ Hudson as Duke Thomas/Robin and Leah Lewis as Cassandra Cain/Batgirl. Bam is the Batmobile and leader of the Batwheels team, like his hero Batman, 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. Redbird is 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 hold his own on a mission. He's enthusiastic and extremely inquisitive, asking tons of questions, like a kid detective. Bibi is Batgirl's brave and bold motorcycle 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. Buff the 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. Batwing is Batman's supersonic jet plane, "Wing" is easily the most sophisticated, and confident member of the team. The Batcomputer is the supervisor, dispatcher, and trainer of the team 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. Moe is Batman's robot repairman who facilitates repairs and upkeep on his fleet of vehicles. He is well-equipped, highly efficient mechanic who can fix almost any vehicular glitch, but not without a healthy dose of sarcasm. Batman is 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. Duke Thomas/Robin is the Boy Wonder who loves sinking his teeth into a great detective mystery while he strives to prove himself alongside Batman. Cassandra Cain/Batgirl is the first Asian-American Batgirl as first introduced in the comics. 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. Group stills of the cast included.. Animation Magazine Article
September 13, 2021: 29 second animation test from Cartoonito live stream previews Bam chasing the Joker van. user CNC YouTube
October 16, 2021: 1:36 sneak peek released containing previously released animation test and new concept art of the Batcave and various locales in Gotham City. Premieres in 2022. WF YouTube
March 25, 2022: Warner Bros. Animation is hiring for an animation supervisor, visual development, and storyboard artists. WB Animation Careers Instagram
April 12, 2022: Bryan Turner is part of the staff. Bryan Turner instagram
April 18, 2022: Lila Martinez is a director. Lila Martinez instagram
May 19, 2022: New poster released. Cartoonito Tweet
May 19, 2022: Batman villains will appear in addition to the Legion of Zoom, a team of sentient vehicles brought to computerized life by Badcomputer, the new ultimate computer of the DC Universe. Gina Rodriguez voices Catwoman, Xolo Mariduena voices Mr. Freeze.s Snowy the Snowcrawler, Tom Kenny will play Crash, Badcomputer's robotic minion, Mick Wingert voices the Joker, Chandni Parekh voices Harley Quinn, Sungwon Cho voices the Riddler, Jess Harnell voices Penguin, Regi Davis voices Mr. Freeze, James Arnold Taylor voices Toyman, Griffin Burns voices Prank, the Joker's favorite ride; Alexandra Novelle voices Jetstah, Harley Quinn's souped-up ATV; Josey Montana McCoy voices Quizz, Riddler's helicopter; Ariyan Kassam voices Ducky, Penguin's boat; and Sungwon Cho voices the Badcomputer. First look at villains and Legion of Zoom included. The series will premiere Fall 2022. THR Article
June 15, 2022: Villains and Legion of Zoom along with cast photos posted. DC Kids Tweet
July 19, 2022: Corentin Lejam posts photo of Bat Family and main cast spotted at San Diego Comic Con. Lejam was a designer on the series. Corentin Lejam instagram
July 21, 2022: Alessio Menghi is a storyboard artist and worked on a lot of episodes that stars Batwing. Alessio Menghi instagram
July 23, 2022: 2:28 trailer released. Will debut a half-hour origin special, "Secret Origin of the Batwheels," exclusively on Cartoonito on HBO Max on Saturday, September 17 -- Batman Day. The special will then premiere on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network at a later date. DC Kids YouTube
July 25, 2022: Angela Parrish is a vocal producer. Parrish indicates there will be shorts. Angela Parrish instagram
August 1, 2022: 30 second theater promo posted. Cartoonito Tweet
August 5, 2022: 24 alleged episode titles for season one. EIDR
August 17, 2022: 0:26 trailer for Secret Origins of the Batwheels special. HBO Max Family YouTube
August 24, 2022: 1:11 clip "Introducing Ethan Hawke as Batman" released. Cartoonito YouTube
August 25, 2022: 0:53 clip "Batcave Tag" released. DC Kids YouTube
August 28, 2022: There will be a panel for the show at the Ottawa International Animation Festival on September 24 with showrunner and co-executive producer Michael G. Stern and supervising producer Simon J. Smith. Ottawa International Animation Festival Tweet
August 30, 2022: There will be a panel for the show at New York Comic Con on October 9. THR Article
September 6, 2022: 2:04 clip "Meet Robin!" released. Cartoonito YouTube
September 7, 2022: 2:44 clip "Buff's BUFF" released. DC Kids YouTube
September 13, 2022: 2:02 "Stop That Ducky" released. DC Kids YouTube
September 13, 2022: 30 second Batgirl preview released. Cartoonito Tweet
September 14, 2022: 2:05 Batgirl clip posted. DC Kids YouTube
September 19, 2022: New teaser posted. The series will premiere on October 17 on Cartoon Network's Cartoonito block at 9 am Eastern. The new episode streams the next day on HBO Max. IGN Article
September 30, 2022: Logline for 7 episodes set for October 17 premiere. Rollin Bishop Tweet
October 9, 2022: 8:47 interview with cast, including Jacob Bertrand, A.J. Hudson, Xolo Maridueña, and Lilimar. CBR YouTube
October 10, 2022: Interview with Co-Executive Producer Michael G. Stern and Supervising Producer Simon J. Smith. ComicBook Article
October 10, 2022: First look at Green Arrow and Poison Ivy. Ivy is voiced by Kailey Snider. Ivan wantso help Gotham return it its primitive roots by turning the streets into her own personal garden where plants rule. Arrow is voiced by MacLeod Andrews. He is as quick with a quip as he is with his quiver, is Batman's crime-fighting bro, uses multipurpose arros and loves ribbing Batman. Animation Magazine Article
October 11, 2022: Interview with Co-Executive Producer Michael G. Stern and Supervising Producer Simon J. Smith about the creation of the show. Animation Magazine Article
October 13, 2022: Interview with Co-Executive Producer Michael G. Stern and Supervising Producer Simon J. Smith about the creation of the show. Animation Scoop Blog
October 14, 2022: Interview with Co-Executive Producer Michael G. Stern and Supervising Producer Simon J. Smith about the creation of the show. AWN Article
October 16, 2022: "The Secret Origin of the Batwheels" can be watched online for free. Cartoonito YouTube
October 20, 2022: 44 second clip of Bam and Moe encountering Poison Ivy posted. Cartoonito YouTube
November 4, 2022: 1:03 clip from "Holidays on Ice" released. Cartoonito YouTube
November 15, 2022: "Rev and Let Rev" airs on November 21 at 10 am on Cartoonito. It features the debut of Catwoman. 1:09 clip included. Animation Magazine Article
November 17, 2022: The "Holidays on Ice" two parter airs on December 5 at 10 am. Logline and still included. Rollin Bishop Tweet
December 2, 2022: 2:12 clip from "Holidays on Ice" released. Cartoonito YouTube
January 26, 2023: Trea Baily posts Robin explorations. Trea Bailey instagram
March 2, 2023: Florent Augoy posts concepts for Harley, Batman, Robin, Joker, Batgirl, Riddler, and Penguin. Florent Augoy instagram
March 3, 2023: Florent Augoy posts first concepts worked on. Florent Augoy instagram
April 16, 2023: Promo for May 1st premires. YouTube user CNArchive
April 17, 2023: 5 episodes will premiere on May 1 from 7:30 to 8:30 am: Bam's Clawful Mistake, Harley Did It, Buff in a China Shop, A Tale of Two Bibis, and Batty Race. DCAUR Tweet
April 27, 2023: Interview with SungWon Cho. Stills and clip for "Buff in a China Shop" included. ComicBook Article
April 30, 2023: "Batty Race" posted online in full by Cartoonito. Cartoonito YouTube
June 23, 2023: Season 1F will premiere on July 4. WBD Press Release
June 27, 2023: There will be 4 new episodes on July 3, 10, 17, and 24 at 7:45 am. DCAUR Tweet
July 13, 2023: "Wheel Side Story" airs on July 31 and will be a musical episode. The Batwheels are zapped by Penguin's Songinator ray and can only communicate through song. DCAUR Tweet
August 7, 2023: There will be a week of new episodes starting September 11 at 7:45 am. The September 15 episode features the guest voice of the late Adam West. Nick and More Article
August 9, 2023: Adam West voices the 1966 Batmobile in "To The Batmobile" Still included. ComicBook Article
August 10, 2023: With permission of the Adam West estate, the crew used existing VO for "To The Batmobile". Michael Stern Twitter
August 28, 2023: Season 1G streams on Max on September 16. ComicBook Article
September 14, 2023: Clip from "To The Batmobile!" released. ComicBook Article
September 15, 2023: 3:08 clip from "To The Batmobile!" released. DC Kids YouTube
September 19, 2023: There will be an instagram live discussion with composer Alex Geringas, creator Michael G. Stern, and executive producer Simon J. Smith on September 20 at 1:30 pm PT/4:30 pm ET on @alexgeringas. Michael Stern Twitter
September 28, 2023: Full version of "To The Batmobile!" released. DC Kids YouTube
September 30, 2023: Full discussion with composer Alex Geringas, creator Michael G. Stern, and executive producer Simon J. Smith posted. Alex Geringas YouTube
December 17, 2023: 1 hour, 23 minute interview with Michael G. Stern and Simon J. Smith. Holy BatCast #419
December 20, 2023: Michael G. Stern confirms season one has aired/streamed all episodes. Michael Stern Tweet
January 11, 2024: Nominated by Annie Awards for Best TV/Media - Preschool. Animation Magazine Article
Television Series Season 2 News
August 5, 2022: 31 alleged episode titles for season two. EIDR
December 7, 2022: Officially renewed for a second season. Variety Article
December 17, 2023: Michael G. Stern and Simon J. Smith estimate early 2024 for the premiere. Holy BatCast #419
December 20, 2023: Michael G. Stern teases a season two announcement is coming soon. Michael Stern Tweet
December 21, 2023: Batwheels season 2A streams on Max on January 12, 2024. WBD Press
January 28, 2024: Batwheels season 2 premieres on Cartoon Network on February 12, 2024 to start off a week of premieres, one on each day Monday to Friday. DCAUR Tweet
April 24, 2024: Batwheels season 2B streams on Max on May 3, 2024. WBD Press
Shorts News
September 14, 2022: 2:09 "Meet Bam!" musical short posted. Cartoonito YouTube
September 27, 2022: 2:12 video "Meet Bibi!" posted. Cartoonito YouTube
May 17, 2023: Meet The Batwheels 1C premieres on Max on June 16. ComicBook Article
November 27, 2023: Meet The Batwheels 1D premieres on Max on December 1. WBD Press Article
Other News
May 25, 2022: There will be a picture book titled "Lucky Wheels: Bam the Batmobile Learns a Lesson!" written by Andrew Guastaferro and illustrated by Sean Calico. Logline and preview pages included. Releases on September 6. Comic Beat Article
April 15, 2024: Batwheels will be screened at the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film in Germany on April 24 at 10:30am. RegularCapitalTweetsUK Tweet
