While Batman has yet to make a formal appearance in James Gunn and Peter Safran's new DC Universe, the HBO series Lanterns may have quietly introduced a significant connection to the iconic hero. The show's Sheriff Kerry Kane, portrayed by Kelly Macdonald, exhibits a mysterious past tied to Gotham City and a surname that echoes deeply within Batman's lore.
Sheriff Kane is initially presented as a local law enforcement officer who obstructs Hal Jordan's investigation into an alien conspiracy. However, it soon becomes apparent that she possesses considerable knowledge about the unfolding events, hinting at a personal history that extends beyond her current rural Nebraska setting. In the second episode, Hal Jordan reveals that Kane was once a resident of Gotham City, a detail she appears reluctant to discuss, suggesting a past she has deliberately left behind.
The crucial link to Batman emerges with the revelation of her full name: Kerry Kane. The surname "Kane" is historically significant in Gotham City, being one of the "First Families" alongside names like Wayne, Cobblepot, and Arkham. In DC Comics continuity, Martha Wayne was originally Martha Kane, establishing a familial connection between the Kanes and the Waynes. Furthermore, the Kane name is associated with prominent figures such as Kathy Kane, the original Batwoman, and her niece Kate Kane, the more recent Batwoman and Bruce Wayne's cousin.
While Lanterns has not explicitly confirmed Kerry Kane's direct relation to these prominent Gotham families, the deliberate choice of her surname and birthplace strongly suggests an intended tie-in to the broader Kane family tree. This connection positions Sheriff Kane as a character with indirect links to Bruce Wayne himself, potentially holding secrets related to her family's influence and history within Gotham.
The presence of a character with such deep ties to Batman raises questions about the Dark Knight's existence within the DCU's established timeline. Lanterns primarily takes place in 2016, a period before David Corenswet's Superman made his public debut. It remains unclear whether Batman was active in 2016, potentially as a nascent vigilante, or if his emergence came later. If Batman was active, his presence might have been more of an urban legend than a publicly acknowledged hero.
However, the planned film Batman: The Brave and the Bold, which is expected to feature an older, more established Bruce Wayne drawing from Grant Morrison's comic run, suggests a considerable history for the character. This implies that Batman must have been active for at least a decade or more by the time The Brave and the Bold is set. If this is the case, it is probable that a version of Batman existed in the DCU by 2016, even if his operational status and public recognition were still developing. The dynamic between a character like Hal Jordan and an emerging Batman remains an open question for future exploration within the universe.