Batwheels, a new series starring the extended Bat family - their vehicles - is going to premiere on Oct. 16, 2022 on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network and HBO GO.
What is Batwheels exactly? It's a show that follows the adventures of Bam, the Batmobile (Jacob Bertrand), Bibi, the Batgirl Cycle (Madigan Kacmar), Redbird, Robin's racecar (Jordan Reed), Buff, the Bat-truck (Noah Bentley), and Batwing, the Bat-plane (Lilimar). Hold on - why did the Batmobile get a nickname, but the Batwing didn't? Weird.
If you were somehow worried that the actual Bat family won't be making be making an appearance, well, you can put those fears to rest. The human Bat people are going to making appearances and they're voiced by some pretty heavy hitters. The Bat-family includes Batman (Ethan Hawke) of course, Duke Thomas Robin (AJ Hudson), and Cassandra Cain Batgirl (Leah Lewis).
To be honest, speaking as not even the biggest Batman fan, I find the costume designs to be fantastic. It is a kiddie, aged down version of the Batman the Animated Series, Justice League Unlimited look. Looks pretty awesome.
Additionally, kids can enjoy a game on the Cartoon Network Asia website called Batwheels by You. I kinda wanna see the stats on that page - I'm not sure if going to websites to play flash games is still kids' behavior these days. Would've thought it would work better as an app with the game and all the info and a button that launches HBO GO or something.
An interesting thing about Batwheels is how it's not just any other cookie cutter kids' show. It's actually got a curriculum, and aims to teach kids about heroic traits, being the best version of themselves. I can certainly relate - my morality was essentially authored by Stan Lee. If you want to see what Batwheels plans to teach kids, check out this handy little sheet. It also won't hurt that your kids are gonna grow up loving Batman, so you can now justify the Iron Studios Batman statue purchase to your wife.
Cartoonito airs on Cartoon Network during the preschool block, 9AM on weekends, and it goes live on HBO GO the same day.