SDCC 2007: The Batman

The Caped Crusader crew just picked up its fourth Emmy Award heading into a season that promises even more punch, courtesy of guest appearances from some Justice League pals. Supervising producer Alan Burnett (The Batman), producer-director Michael Goguen (Batman: The Animated Series), renowned voice director Andrea Romano discussed the upcoming surprises.

The biggest news for Titans fans is that Jerry O'Connell returns in season five as Nightwing. Not wanting to spoil the episode, the crew would only divulge that the episode does NOT take place in the future.

Expect Justice League members to appear in 8 of the 13 episodes. The first episode features a team-up with Superman and Batman - who battle Luthor, Mercy, Metallo, Joker, Clayface, Poison Ivy and more! Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen also appear. Superman appears in Gotham when it starts rebuilding after the events of last seasons' "The Joining." In this episode, Superman has not yet joined the Justice League. George Newburn, Dana Delaney and Clancy Brown all reprise the voices of Supermna, Lois & Lex.

Expect Batman to also team up - in individual episodes - with the Flash ("In my mind, it's Barry Allen under the mask, although he doesn't take off his mask."), Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Hawkman and Green Arrow (the Green Arrow episode will recount his origin). The Flash episode features Mirror Master, voiced by John Laroquette. The GL episode features Sinestro, voiced by Miguel Ferrer.

A bunch of villains appear in season five, including Joker, Harley, Penguin, Freeze, Sinestro, Phosphorus, the Wraith, Black Mask, Scarface, Mirror Master, Hugo Strange and Toyman. Sounds like a slam-bang season!