If you see the Bat Signal shining, it’s because there is a new heroic series on the horizon. New York Comic Con (NYCC) embraces the powers of the DC universe with a panel screening of Prime Video’s Bat-Fam.
At the Bat-Fam Sneak Peek Screening and Q&A panel, NYCC guests were the first to see the upcoming Batman series. On Saturday, Oct. 11, fans watched the first episode of Bat-Fam, followed by a Q&A session.
Bat-Fam follows the events of the popular film Merry Little Batman, featuring the return of Batman, Alfred, and young Damian Wayne. Fans will also meet new characters like Alicia Pennyworth, Alfred’s grand-niece; Claire, a reformed villain; Ra’s al Ghul, Damien’s “Pap Pap”; and Man-Bat. This animated series features action-comedy hijinks, new and familiar faces, and a focus on family values. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, this half-hour show features heroes and villains from the DC universe.
After watching the hilarious first episode, fans warmly welcomed the minds and voices behind Bat-Fam. Joining guests in Room 405 was executive producer and showrunner Mike Roth, alongside voice actors Yonas Kibreab (Damien Wayne), London Hughes (Alicia), and Bobby Moynihan (Man-Bat).
To start, the panelists shared their connections with Batman before working on the series. Moynihan and Kibreab expressed their love for Michael Keaton’s Batman, while Hughes gushed over Adam West’s iteration. After sharing their favorite Caped Crusaders, Roth jumped in to speak about the series’ new direction.
“So much of Batman [content] is focusing on Batman. With this, it’s like we get to take the mask off Bruce and see a side that we don’t normally see. This is a guy who solves his problems by beating people’s faces, but how does he solve a problem about his kid? These are skills outside of his skillset, and it’s really fun to see him wrestle through this and figure out this new family life,” says Roth.
Along with a new direction, fans will meet a new character never seen in the comics. For the first time in DC’s history, the series will feature a female Black British character named Alicia Pennyworth. Hughes shares her feelings about the character along with her experience in getting the role.
“She’s fun, she’s sweet, she’s fabulous. I’ve never done voice acting, and when the audition came up, I was like, ‘I think I can play her. I’ve got this.’ When I got the part, I was like, ‘Oh my God, I am amazing. I’m playing Black British female DC character.’ I love playing Alicia,” says Hughes.
Before leaving, NYCC guests saw the official trailer for Bat-Fam, which premieres Nov. 10 on Prime Video. After the panel, the panelists spoke to The Pop Insider to reveal more insights about the series.
Were there any challenges adding humor to a universe known for darker themes?
Humor is always challenging, because sometimes it takes a lot of work to get there. But I think the dynamics we set up with the characters and seeing Bruce solve problems with his mind and dad skills, helps [the story] write itself. It was really fun to see that.
How was your experience with voice acting for this series?
It’s definitely freeing. It’s more freeing to be silly and to try stuff. It doesn’t matter what you look like — it just matters what you sound like. If someone told me all I was doing was voiceover for the rest of my life, I’d be like, ‘All right, that’s great.’ I wouldn’t play a lot of the characters I play in animation if it were live-action, but for Man-Bat, I would.
Scenes from Prime Video's 'Bat-Fam' | Source: Warner Bros. Animation
Scenes from Prime Video's 'Bat-Fam' | Source: Warner Bros. Animation
Scenes from Prime Video's 'Bat-Fam' | Source: Warner Bros. Animation
Scenes from Prime Video's 'Bat-Fam' | Source: Warner Bros. Animation
What was it like getting into your role and character? How do you approach that challenge?
I got to go into the booth, show up, and just be myself. Sometimes, I would have to pull back from being too crazy, or I would have to be even crazier and take it even further. But I think [getting into my role] is just a matter of going in there, being yourself, and just trying to be different from the rest. And the reason I think they cast me is because I was being different and able to find something that was special.
This is your first experience as a voice actor. What did you like the most, and what was your least favorite part?
My least favorite is when we have to do all the little sound effects. Walla is my least favorite, as I didn’t know what it was, and I’ve never done it before. It’s like seeing a scene where there’ll be a bunch of people in the cinema doing ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’, and I’ve got to do that. I don’t like sound effects.
My favorite is when I get to talk. I remember there’s this one emotional scene in the car where I had to act annoyed with Damien. I really wanted to nail it, and I was like, ‘Guys, give me a moment to get this right, because I really want to nail it.’ That was fun, and I like it when I get to really act.
