Batman: Caped Crusader is breathing new life into the Dark Knight's iconic rogues' gallery, and season two delves into one of his more peculiar adversaries: Barbatos. This reimagining presents the demon bat-god as a central figure in a new Gotham-centric mystery, offering a distinct interpretation from his comic book history.
In "The Devil's Due," the fourth episode of season two, Batman is framed for murder when a burglar is killed and a bat symbol is drawn in blood at the crime scene. The culprit is a cult that worships Barbatos, a supposed demon bat-god slumbering beneath Gotham. Their belief is that by sacrificing blood and treasure to Barbatos, they will awaken him to destroy nonbelievers and grant them riches. The cultists even adopt Batman's likeness, considering him an avatar of Barbatos.
The episode's narrative twist reveals Barbatos to be an urban myth concocted by a deceptive cult leader seeking personal gain through stolen goods. His scheme unravels when a true believer, overhearing his confession, murders him for blasphemy.
This interpretation starkly contrasts with Barbatos's comic book origins. The name itself has roots in 16th-century mystic texts, where Barbatos is listed as a spirit or demon summonable by sorcerers. It first appeared in DC Comics in the 1990 issue "Dark Knight, Dark City" as Barbathos, summoned by occultists in 1765, who claimed to have created Batman to eventually release him. Gotham City itself was built upon the site of this ritual.
Later, writer Grant Morrison utilized the name Barbatos, positing the entity as a creation of Darkseid. Scott Snyder's 2017 "Dark Nights: Metal" event further expanded the lore, with Barbatos serving as the arch-villain. In this storyline, Barbatos, an ancient force aiming to shatter the Multiverse, unleashes corrupted versions of Batman, including the Batman Who Laughs. He also asserts a direct influence on Bruce Wayne's life, suggesting he was instrumental in Bruce becoming Batman and that many dark realities are manifestations of Bruce's deepest fears.
Barbatos also made an appearance in the 2023 series "Gotham Nocturne." In this gothic opera, Batman, while possessed by a demon named Azmer, uses Barbatos's aid to combat the demonic influence, ultimately undertaking a quest where he rejects offers of power from Barbatos to face his battles independently.
"Batman: Caped Crusader" is known for its inventive reinterpretations of familiar characters, transforming the Mad Hatter into a talk show host and severing Harley Quinn's ties to the Joker. Presenting Barbatos as a fabricated myth rather than a tangible supernatural entity is another example of the show forging its unique path within the Batman mythos. Whether future adaptations will explore the more esoteric aspects of Barbatos remains to be seen.
Batman: Caped Crusader season 2 is currently streaming on Prime Video.