SPYSCAPE brings the world of Batman to life

Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment on behalf of DC and SPYSCAPE have announced the opening of BATMAN x SPYSCAPE, a brand-new interactive experience that will drop fans into the heart of a Gotham City mystery. Public previews began on June 8 in New York City, and fans can sign-up online at spyscape.com.

Top scientists in Gotham City are missing and the world is in upheaval. The Bat-Signal is in the sky. Who will step in and help Batman solve the mystery at hand?  BATMAN x SPYSCAPE will take fans on a top-secret mission to infiltrate an underworld organisation, Leviathan, whose goal is to disrupt the Super Hero and Super-Villain communities.

The adventure features a seamless combination of an immersive physical experience enhanced with an interactive real-time app. Guests will be asked to download the BATMAN x SPYSCAPE app from the Apple or Google app stores in advance of their visit and immediately enter the story world. The experience plays out in three acts where they will be recruited by the mysterious Oracle, an alternate identity of Barbara Gordon (Batgirl), to help solve some mysterious kidnappings, all while interacting with some of Gotham City’s most compelling characters via the app.

BATMAN x SPYSCAPE features an original narrative by critically acclaimed writer Gail Simone (who has penned both BATGIRL and WONDER WOMAN), an immersive exhibition design by Mona Kim Projects, and interactive experience design by SPYSCAPE, all aimed at bringing the world of DC’s Batman to life like never before.

The BATMAN x SPYSCAPE experience will also be supported with a highly curated range of bespoke merchandise including a BATMAN x SPYSCAPE Companion Book, also penned by Gail Simone with art by award-winning artist Jim Calafiore.

Warner Bros and DC launch first AR Batman mobile app featuring digital comics, games and more

Warner Bros Consumer Products and DC Comics have lifted the cowl on a new Batman mobile experience for young fans with the launch of the DC: Batman Bat-Tech Edition app – a free mobile app that immerses fans in a story that takes a deep dive into the technology of the caped crusader.

The new app encourages kids to join Batman’s crime-fighting team, the Knightwatch, and experience a first of its kind augmented reality immersion in the world of the Dark Knight himself, learning how to use his Bat Tech to fight crime and defend Gotham City from his evil adversaries.

COPPA compliant, free to use and available in 13 different languages, the new app experience is DC and Warner Bros Consumer Products’ latest leap into the digital space to bring young fans a fully interactive and immersive dive into the world of the DC Super Heroes.

The Joker, Mr Freeze, The Riddler, and other DC Super-Villains each make an appearance in the narrative-driven app game, while in addition to learning about Batman’s technology through the app’s AR storytelling features, kids can play mini games, transform photos with AR face filters and stickers, and read exclusive digital comics.

Fans will also be able to watch Batman Bat-Tech themed video content and gain access to the Batcomputer, the super-computer where Batman’s tech secrets are stored.

“Batman is one of our most important franchises, so bringing together the DC and Warner Bros. Consumer Products teams to develop this app featuring his fan-favorite gadgets and crime-fighting tech was a chance for us to give fans yet another way to engage with a favorite DC Super Hero,” said Pam Lifford, president, WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences.

“The app creates a truly unique experience that gives kids around the world a chance to immerse themselves in the DC Universe — there’s no other app like it available today.”

Kevin Morris, vice president, franchise management and marketing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, added: “The Batman mobile app showcases Batman’s innovative technology, using augmented reality like never before, and gives kids a way to unlock the mystery behind Batman’s crime-fighting gadgets.

“Kids can now experience being a DC Super Hero alongside Batman, and while learning and playing they can also help save Gotham City.”

At launch, the DC: Batman Bat-Tech Edition app features Augmented Reality mission to complete as kids become members of Batman’s new Knightwatch team, Mini Games such as the Batman themed mobile driving game, the Batarang Practice campaign, or the Grapnel Launcher game, AR face filters featuring Batman, The Joker, Batgirl, and more, and Sticker packs that kids can use to decorate photos.

The app, meanwhile, will also house Batman Bat-Tech video content delivered through its connection to the popular DCKids’ YouTube channel. A new series titled Batman Science Lab will launch this autumn, exploring the real world application of Batman’s technology.

New missions, games, filters, sticker packs, and video content will be added and updated on a regular basis.

On top of all of this, the DC: Batman Bat-Tech Edition app will host an exclusive digital comic series – Batman – Knightwatch, through which kids can explore how the Knightwatch programme was created and follow along with Batman and his Super Hero team as they take on Gotham City’s Super-Villains.

Fans can download the DC: Batman Bat-Tech Edition today and help Batman save Gotham City.  Available for free on the App Store and the Google Play store, the app is playable on both tablets and smart phones. The app is available globally and is localized in 13 different languages.

Warner Bros.’ Batman vs Superman tops the John Lewis ten toys for Christmas list

The Warner Bros. and DC Comics icon, Batman has swooped in on the first of the major retailers’ top Christmas toy predictions this year, having secured top billing within John Lewis’s Top Ten Toys for Christmas 2021.

It’s Warner Bros Consumer Products’ partnership with the leading hobby brand, Hornby’s own Scalextric that is tipped to excite Christmas shoppers this season, featuring not once but twice upon a list that otherwise sees licenses somewhat thin on the ground this year.

The Scalextric Batman vs Superman (exclusive to John Lewis) sits atop the list, followed by the retailer’s non-exclusive version. A read through the top ten, however, and it’s a sparse presence that the licensing department holds with the retailer’s selection this year.

A £59.99 Harry Potter Games Compendium features above the Tonies Soft Cuddly Friends – Hoppie Rabbit Audio Play line this year, while the seven items selected among this year’s top ten lean towards the traditional toy and play-sets trend, tipped to be a core element within the Christmas toy shopping scene this year by the retailer.

LEGO makes its appearance in the form of its LEGO Elf Clubhouse, while sustainability finds itself at the forefront as John Lewis places its FSC Wooden My 1st Train Set and FSC Wooden Waitrose Supermarket firmly within the top ten picks.

Elsewhere, Ravensburger secures two listing with its Space Puzzle and Gravitrax Pro Starter Extrme (another John Lewis exclusive), while the rundown is made complete by the Secret Garden Book and the Kaloo My First Doll.

Rachael Larkman, toy buyer at John Lewis, said: “This year we’ve seen a huge surge in the popularity of traditional toys and games that can be enjoyed by the whole family. We predict this trend will continue for Christmas 2021.

“The selection chosen by our panel includes toys suitable for all ages – a great variety that will guarantee excitement on Christmas day.”

Bravado and Warner Bros. Consumer Products line up expansive UK licensing partnership

Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Bravado – the merchandise and brand management division of Universal Music Group – have detailed a new partnership across some of the biggest titles of the Studio’s 2021 and 2022 slate, as well as over 100 iconic movies and heritage brands.

A first of its kind partnership between the two industry giants, the agreement recognises Bravado as a key UK licensee, covering adult apparel for iconic film and entertainment brands including Space Jam, Mortal Kombat, and The Matrix, as well as franchises within the DC universe, including Aquaman, Batman, Black Adam, and Justice League.

The first lines of merchandise will hit UK retail, online and in-store, beginning Summer 2021.

‘Having developed an impressive and extensive roster of entertainment-based licenses, the Warner Bros. Consumer Products partnership reaffirms Bravado’s position as the go to licensing management company for global brands that cross into music, film, TV and sport,’ read a statement from the firm.

‘With its extensive range of partners and licenses, Bravado’s scope compliments Warner Bros.’s vast portfolio of multigenerational titles, delivering a breadth of opportunity in the retail space.’

Keith Taperell, vice president, retail and sales, Bravado UK, said: “We’re extremely excited about the creative possibilities this partnership carries. The huge offering and diversity of titles, iconic brands and the multi-generational fanbases that accompany them, delivers real scope from design stage to retail placement. We’re very much looking forward to working with the team at Warner Bros. on making this collaboration as far reaching as possible.”

The multi-collection partnership will service a broad range of partners across all areas of retail including a series of fashion led capsule collections. Product will be live across UK retail stores and eCommerce from Summer 2021.

Spread Group expands its partnership with Warner Bros for new licenses and markets

Spread Group – the firm formerly known as Spreadshirt – has expanded its partnership with Warner Bros to bring 14 of its brands including Harry Potter, Batman, and Friends, to new target markets in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.

The latest development is an extension of a European partnership that has existed between Spread Group and Warner Bros since 2012. Over the past eight years, Spread Group has developed more than 1,700 designs with popular Warner Bros. heroes and symbols across Germany, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.

The Warner Bros. brands are among some of the best-sellers on these European Spreadshirt marketplaces.

“We are excited about the opportunity to use our know-how to launch into new markets and to strategically develop our partnership with Warner Bros. In doing so, we will cover design, marketing and production, to the web presence on our Spreadshirt marketplace, as well as on Amazon and eBay – according to our 360-degree approach,” said Ann-Katrin Hager, head of licensing Europe of Spread Group.

The licensing deal will make Warner Bros. will one of Spread Group’s largest partners. It will offer over 1,000 Warner designs on the Spreadshirt marketplaces in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia as well as 1,500 item positions on Amazon.com.

Warner Bros. Animation begins production on Batman pre-school series Batwheels

Warner Bros. Animation is vaulting into the pre-school sector as production begins on a new Batman series called Batwheels, featuring scaled down versions of the caped crusader’s Batmobile and the Batgirl Cycle as they fight crime alongside Batman, Robin, Batgirl, and other DC Universe characters.

The new animated pre-school series is slated to stream on HBO Max and air on Cartoon Network and its global platforms, as it follows the Batwheels – a group of super-powered crime-fighting vehicles that defend Gotham City from villains alongside their super hero counterparts.

“Having just been created by the Batcomputer, our heroes are essentially kids with little to no life experience. Led by Bam (The Batmobile), the Batwheels – Bibi (The Batgirl Cycle), Red (The Redbird), Jett (The Batwing) and Buff (The Bat Truck) – must navigate the growing pains of being a newly formed super team as well as the growing pains that come with just being a kid,” read the description from Warner Bros. Animation.

“Batwheels is the perfect show to headline our new foray into pre-school,” said Tom Ascheim, president of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics. “I can’t wait for all the aspiring superheroes out there to meet this whole new batch of crime-fighters.”

Sam Register, president of Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, added: “From Batman: The Animated Series to Teen Titans Go!, superhero storytelling has definitely been one of our superpowers here at Warner Bros. Animation.

“We are so excited to bring that expertise over to the preschool space and take something that all kids love, cool vehicles, and give it a turbo boost with Batman.”

Batwheels is produced by Warner Bros. Animation, with Sam Register (“Looney Tunes Cartoons”) serving as executive producer. Michael G. Stern (“Doc McStuffins”) is co-executive producer, while Simon J. Smith (“Baymax Dreams”) is supervising producer and Steven Fink of Bang Zoom Ltd. serves as producer.

DC to celebrate global Batman Day and puts wheels in motion with GPS app Waze

DC has revealed its plans for a global Batman Day celebration taking place on September 19th this year, inviting fans from across the globe to participate in a range of Batman-themed activities.

The celebration will kick off with a new partnership with the GPS navigation app Waze, introducing a Batman and The Riddler theme to the system, alongside a collection of Waze and DC Super Hero or Super-Villain playlists on Spotify while driving via the Waze Audio Player feature to complete the driving experience.

On top of this, free digital comics, free activity kits for kids, a Batman Virtual 5K and 10K run or walk, and even a digital mystery to solve in which fans can take on the role of the caped crusader, will all launch in celebration of the DC super hero.

Fans can also team up with Batman to protect Gotham City in a series of digital activities, such as joining the celebration on social media and helping Batman to piece together a series of clues left behind by The Riddler. Players who successfully decode the mischievous hints will unlock exclusive, limited-time reveals.

The adventure begins when the virtual Bat-Signal lights up at 12PM PT, September 18, on the @DCComics Twitter.

The new Waze Batman theme allows for more than 100 million monthly active Waze users to ride along with Batman and The Riddler from August 31 to October 31.

Waze drivers can opt to hear directions in the style of Batman, voiced by Batman: The Animated Series actor Kevin Conroy, as well as select a custom Batmobile icon and Batman mood. Drivers who want a slightly more villainous experience can select The Riddler voice directions (voiced by actor Wally Wingert), mood and custom vehicle. Waze users worldwide can experience the Batman theme in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Warner Bros. partners with Wonderland Restaurants to bring DC-inspired dining experience to London

Warner Bros. has partnered with the emerging experiential dining group, Wonderland Restaurants to bring a new, DC-inspired establishment to London’s Soho.

The restaurant, called Park Row, is scheduled to open at 77 Brewer Street, and will be the first fully-immersive DC-inspired restaurant experience in the world, bringing with it characters from the DC universe, including Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman.

Wonderland Restaurants is a new group formed by leading names in the culinary world, including its executive chef Cláudio Cardoso, the former group executive chef at Sushisamba, innovation director Mark Garston, the former head of central development at the Fat Duck in Bray, and creative director Mike Bagale, the former executive chef at Alinea in Chicago.

This trio will be responsible for the development of the menu.

Park Row will occupy the 18,000 sq ft basement at the Crown Estate’s Grade II-listed venue. It will have 330 covers across five restaurants and three bar areas with interiors designed by London-based Ab Rogers Design (ARD).

ARD has designed the interiors to bring DC’s famous fictional environments to life.

Pennyworth’s (named after Bruce Wayne’s butler, Alfred), will serve historically-inspired British sharing dishes. The Iceberg Lounge, dedicated to Batman comic book villain the Penguin, will be the largest restaurant in the Art Deco dining room featuring an international menu, cocktail bar and live entertainment.

There will also be a Harley Quinn-inspired restaurant and an Old Gotham City speakeasy, serving cocktails and sharing plates. The Monarch Theatre, Park Row’s multi-sensory tasting menu experience, will use projection mapping technology ‘to explore the psychology of heroism through food.’

James Bulmer, chief creative officer at Wonderland Restaurants, who founded and owns the group together with private equity investors, said: “This is a project many years in the making, with every detail carefully thought out to deliver a unique experience for our guests. Trends in our sector are moving towards fun, immersive and experiential dining and our aim is to demonstrate this on a grand scale with exceptional food and drink to match.”

Peter van Roden, senior vice president of Global Themed Entertainment at Warner Bros. Consumer Products, added: “Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC have been integrally involved in the creative development of the concept, collaborating and contributing to Wonderland’s vision for this unique experience and expression of the DC brand.

“We are hugely excited to see the first immersive DC-inspired restaurant open here in London and wish the incredibly talented team at Wonderland and Park Row all the best for its launch.”