Batwoman, Season 2
(The CW, 2021)
The recasting of Batwoman (Javicia Leslie replacing Ruby Rose) serves as a launching pad for the show to explore issues of social justice and racial inequality. These take centre stage over the superhero elements, but not to the detriment of comic-book escapism.
Batwoman, Season 1
(The CW, 2019-2020)
Though the drama is predictably contrived across 21 episodes, Batwoman strikes a pleasing balance of Gotham-dark action (not overdone), character humour, and both female and lesbian empowerment. Rachel Skarsten walks an exquisitely fine line as the unhinged villain of the piece, Alice.
Pennyworth, Season 1
(Epix, 2019)
A slick but disturbingly visceral action crime drama set in a reimagined (Gotham sister city?) post-war London. While any given episode is diverting enough, the overarching plot lacks focus and the Batman character prefiguring is distracting and strained (in truth totally incongruous).