9 DC Superheroes Who Would Makes Sense In The Batman's Universe
The Batman is the Caped Crusader's latest adaptation, and Matt Reeves's portrayal of Gotham City is one that brilliantly blends both elements from the comic books and a semi-realistic quality that grounds the movie in a sense of believability. While some purists might desire more from the comics or the DCEU, Reeve's world just feels more like the type of universe Batman would inhabit.
As any DC fan is aware, Gotham's Dark Knight isn't the only costumed crimefighter the city has known. The likes of Aquaman, Wonderwoman, and Superman might seem a little out of place in Reeves's world, but there are plenty of other heroes and vigilantes that would be perfect for this darker and more comic-book-like universe.
Matt Reeves's adaptation of the Batman universe might not be the most believable setting for most of DC's fantasy-fueled characters, but a supernatural element could easily fall into place, especially if the shadowy side of Gotham is revealed once more. Enter the Spectre and his spirit of vengeance.
A spiritual being bringing justice to Gotham's criminal underworld would definitely be something fans would love to see, especially given the fact that the character has been drawn to Batman's desires for revenge, justice, and other morally grey undercurrents. To see the two working together wouldn't be out of place.
The Phantom Stranger is yet another supernatural character that would blend well with Matt Reeves's Gotham, and there are several different venues and adaptations of the character the filmmakers could use to induct him into the universe. But regardless of whether he's a ghost, an angel, or a man from the future stuck in a universal time loop, his noir-themed exploits are great for another Batman mystery.
Gotham City might not be overrun with demons, cults, or other entities of the like, but it does have an overabundance of murder and mayhem. It wouldn't be wrong to assume Batman might call upon the Stranger's omniscient ways to help him solve a particularly baffling case.
Given the fact that many of Red Hood's motifs have been shared with the new incarnation of Batman, such as the motorcycle themes and red and black color palette of the film, it's safe to say that some variation of the character would thrive in Reeves's Gotham. Although no Jason Todd currently exists in this Batman's mythos, that's not saying he doesn't exist.
The Red Hood is an alias used by different characters in the DC universe, including one of the Joker's origins and a gang inspired by the masked character. It's more plausible that the Red Hood Gang might exist in this canon, but there's still time to develop an appropriate incarnation.
Again, while a fantasy element would be hard to make believable in this universe, Raven could be the exception if given the right direction. Especially if they pull from something like Kim Garcia's graphic novel that gives her powers a mix of magic-realism by making her more of a psychic than a conduit for the dark forces of Azarath.
A Reeves-made Raven movie could be an excellent supernatural thriller, especially if some of The Batman's gothic overtones are brought back. Watching her duke it out with Trigon the Terrible might be overkill, but a game of cat and mouse with someone like Deathstroke would be ideal.
Robin the Boy Wonder might be an unusual member of the Reeves-verse, but a version of Nightwing would certainly match Batman's energy against the corrupt and twisted nature of this new Gotham City. Especially if he's struggling emotionally after living in Batman's shadow.
Although it might need a second or third sequel until fans see a true live-action version of the character, Nightwing would be right at home in Reeves's Gotham. Especially since it would be a very stunt-heavy production.
To be fair, any member of Justice League Dark would be a great fit for Reeves's universe, but Constantine and his grungy nature would fit too well against the modern gothic of the Reeves-verse. If Reeves takes a page or two from Supernatural, a Hellblazer movie would be a step in the right direction.
A magical-realism take on Constantine, preferably with Keanu Reeves reprising the role, would be a heart-pounding thriller that the director would deliver full-heartedly. As graphic as Matt Reeves was willing to go with someone like the Riddler, it's hard to tell what he would do with the dark world of the cynical sorcerer.
Although Neil Gaiman's reinvention of the character will always be the best version, there's no reason that a version of the original masked detective couldn't have ties to the Lord of Dreams. A modernization of Wesley Dodds would be required, but it's an easy feat to accomplish.
Depending on the success of the upcoming Sandman Netflix series, a version of the Sandman's original appearance may or may not be on the horizon. Speculation aside, a vigilante detective with crimefighting technology of his own design seems to be something Reeves has a talent for adapting.
If there's one DC character that would be more in their element in The Batman's universe than Batman himself, it's the Question. The conspiracy-obsessed detective would be ideal to take on a series underworld of crooks, gangsters, and lowlifes with the greatest of ease, and Reeves's universe would be perfect for him to explore.
A modern adaptation of the Question would have to take a mixture of Watchmen's Rorschach and Frank Miller's Spirit, but Reeves would make it happen with minimal difficulty. The gothic nature of Batman mixed with the crime-noir of the Question would fit all too well in the director's wheelhouse.