Audio drama is one of the most unique styles of entertainment. It is one of the only ways of telling stories which relies on only one of the senses. It shows how much we rely on sound and audio to be entertained and to be told a gripping story. Batman: Unburied is the first in a series of audio dramas on Spotify set in the DC comics universe. This isn’t just a story of Batman being read off a page; it is a living, breathing story with a musical score, sound effects and some compelling voice acting. Much like reading a book however, the lack of visual components allows the listener to picture the story in their mind; relying on the sounds of Gotham City and what the character’s interactions would sound like. For me, it does this very effectively, I felt as if I was watching the story unfold in my head. The story itself explores the fractured psyche of Bruce Wayne, specifically where Bruce Wayne ends and Batman begins (no pun intended).
Winston Duke stars as the caped crusader as he unravels the mystery behind a series of gruesome murders committed by a man known only as ‘The Harvester’. Interestingly, Batman is absent for a while in the story, the first few episodes focusing on the more innocent side of Bruce Wayne. The story begins with Bruce working as a forensic pathologist in Gotham Hospital with his still-living father Thomas. We get a glimpse into what Bruce’s life would be like if his parents had not been shot down on that fateful night, as he initially has no memory of Batman. This is where Duke’s voice performance shines; he gives us a more sensitive, human side to Bruce that we haven’t really seen before in other mainstream media. He shows the comfort and care Bruce finds with still having his parents around in adulthood, yet still portrays his slightly unhinged side as the story unfolds (although I won’t deny his Batman voice does take some getting used to). I also never would’ve imagined Lucius Malfoy himself, Jason Isaacs, would be such a good Alfred; providing that British charisma which is so synonymous with the character. Hasan Minhaj also provides a seemingly more innocent yet charismatic portrayal of the Riddler, as he is forced to help Barbara Gordon (Gina Rodriguez) uncover the mystery of the Harvester with no signs of the world’s greatest detective.
The series frequently reminded me of the 90s Batman animated series in its tone and nods to the extended Batman mythos. This Gotham feels like that more animated, slightly supernatural city that we’ve had in the series and the Batman Arkham games. One of my favourite aspects of the series was its exploration of the dual identity of Bruce Wayne and Batman. Why does Bruce put on the cape and cowl every night? Does he do it for the memory of his parents? Or is there another, more profound reason? Moreover, how does much of a mental toll does being Batman take on this sensitive, naive version of Bruce Wayne? The fact that the series opens with a completely different angle on the story of Bruce Wayne provides enough intrigue to get listeners interested and keep that interest going. This isn’t just a story of Batman; it’s a murder mystery, a psychological thriller and almost a supernatural fantasy at some points. It’s a story that can be enjoyed by non-Batman fans, but Batman fans will appreciate the nods to the wider universe and its various surprises along the way. It doesn’t just divulge into Bruce Wayne, it divulges into certain other characters from the Batman universe which gives them a level of depth and intrigue which we’ve never seen before in mainstream media.
G does Films 