DC Studios Announces New Animated Series Including Absolute Batman, Joker: Laugh Riot, and Krypto : Coastal House Media

DC Studios made one of its biggest animation announcements yet during the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, officially unveiling a brand new animated series: Absolute Batman, Joker: Laughter riotagain Krypto. Projects opened by DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran alongside Warner Bros. Animation, featuring a major expansion of the studio's animation slate.

Each series offers a completely different take on the DC Universe, from adult storytelling to family adventure.

Absolute Batman Brings Best Selling DC Comics to Animation

Perhaps the biggest reveal of the show was Absolute Batmanan animated adult from the hit comedy series from Scott Snyder again Nick Dragotta.

Instead of following the traditional version of Bruce Wayne, Absolute Batman it reimagines the Dark Knight as a working-class hero without the wealth, mansion, or high-tech advantages fans expect. The series will adapt the dark, grounded “Absolute Universe” that quickly became one of DC's biggest publishing successes.

Scott Snyder will serve as executive producer and showrunner, while Nick Dragotta joins the project as a producer. According to DC, this series asks a simple question:

“If you take away the manor, the money, and the benefits… what's left is Batman.”

Joker: Laughter riot Giving The Clown Prince His Own Anime

One of the biggest surprises was Joker: Laughter riotis an adult anime series produced by Japanese animation studio SOLA Entertainment.

The premise completely flips the traditional Batman/Joker dynamic.

After Batman is killed, the Joker launches a violent campaign across Gotham's criminal underworld to hunt down whoever killed his greatest enemy. As his investigation unfolds, Joker begins to move closer to being a vigilante than a criminal, forcing him to question who he really is outside of Batman.

The series will be directed by Yasuhiro Aoki with Jim Krieg acting as a major producer.

It's one of the boldest ideas DC has announced in years and marks the company's new push into anime storytelling.

Joker Laughter Chaos [credit: DC Studios]

Krypto Targeted at a Younger Audience

Estimating dark projects Kryptoa family-oriented animated series centered on Superman's loyal canine companion.

Created by CH Greenblatt (Chowder), the show follows Krypto as he accidentally gets involved with a gang of criminals. Instead of helping them commit crimes, Superman's best friend slowly teaches the group how to be better people.

The series seems to be aimed squarely at a younger audience while retaining the humor that Greenblatt is known for.

Krypto [DC Studios]

DC Continues to Expand Its Animation Slate

The announcements show that DC Studios isn't sticking to one animation style or audience.

Between adaptations and mature comedies like Absolute Batmanpilot projects like Joker: Laughter riotand annual exhibitions such as Kryptothe studio seems committed to offering something for every type of DC fan.

With James Gunn again Peter Safran continuing to shape the future of DC across film, television, and animation, today's reveal suggests that animation will remain a major pillar of DC's new era.