An Underrated DC Show Proved The DCU’s Arkham Asylum Spinoff Is Perfect For The Franchise 5 Years Ago

Summary The Arkham Asylum show in the DC Universe is set to explore Batman villains like Gotham did successfully.

DCU's Arkham Asylum show offers more budget and Batman involvement compared to Gotham.

Moving Arkham Asylum into the larger DCU is a smart move that can elevate the concept even further.

The newly formed DC Universe has an Arkham Asylum show in the works, and an underrated TV show based on Batman's villains proved the concept could be successful. Arkham Asylum was originally envisioned to be set in the world of The Batman by Matt Reeves, but was confirmed by James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, to be set in the main DCU roster instead of Reeves' take on the Caped Crusader's mythos. However, Matt Reeves will still be involved with the show, despite fitting into the larger DCU that his live-action version of Batman is not part of.

Arkham Asylum is one of the best settings in Batman lore that hasn't been thoroughly explored in live-action. The new show Arkham Asylum will shine a light on Batman's rogues gallery in a similar way the underrated Gotham TV show did for several successful years. Like Gotham, the new show will be able to explore iconic Batman villains on a deeper level than a movie typically can, giving audiences a look into what makes Gotham City one of the most beloved (and feared) cities in DC history.

Gotham Proves A Show About Batman's Villains Could Be Successful

There is so much story to glean from Batman's rogue gallery, and Gotham proved a show mainly focused on his villains could be successful throughout its five-season run from 2014-2019. Gotham aired on Fox, received generally good reviews throughout its seasons, and featured interesting new takes on some of the best villains DC has to offer. It garnered a dedicated fan base that proved Batman's villains could shine without the hero being front and center. Though not a perfect series, it shows a concept like Arkham Asylum could thrive if done well.

Why DCU's Arkham Asylum Show Could Be Even Better Than Gotham

Arkham Asylum is in a prime position to explore the greater world of Batman villains than ever before. With it being a Max original show, it should have a higher budget than Gotham, with top production values allowing the unique setting of the Asylum to truly shine. Arkham Asylum is a setting filled with fantastical villains and thus the place for many larger-than-life events, and this could help elevate it compared to the often more grounded approach Gotham had to take with its mob-focused storylines.

Batman and his villains are generally tightly intertwined and Arkham Asylum allows for those relationships to be explored in a way Gotham just wasn't able to.

The biggest edge Arkham Asylum has over Gotham is the ability to use an established Batman in the show's narrative, since Gotham wasn't allowed to use the hero. Batman and his villains are generally tightly intertwined, and Arkham Asylum allows for those relationships to be explored in a way Gotham just wasn't able to. With The Brave and the Bold movie set to establish a seasoned Batman in the DCU, the villains in the asylum could have a deeper history that helps to build out the Gotham City side of the new universe.

Moving Arkham Asylum into the DCU after previously being attached to The Batman universe is a smart move that will help to best establish the universe James Gunn and Peter Safran are creating. Batman has a rich history of top-tier villains, which makes the upcoming show one of the most interesting projects in the new DC Universe. Gotham proved that a show revolving around Batman villains can be successful, but Arkham Asylum has the opportunity to elevate the concept even further.