On the Epix channel there is a new show tied to the Batman mythos called “Pennyworth” about the early exploits of Batman’s Butler Supreme Alfred Pennyworth and how he got involved with Thomas Wayne(Bat-Dad) back in the Sixties. I’m liking the series, but I noticed something in the background that seems to be tied to most other Batseries: The use of dirigibles for transportation and advertising. They fly about in London, Washington DC, Gotham, New York and a host of other cities…but I don’t think it has been explained why they are prevalent in Batman’s universe. My own theory is that in the Bativerse the Hindenburg disaster never took place, so the use of them never really died out. Is there an official explanation for this anomaly?
They made heavy use of dirigibles in Batman the Animated series. There were a lot of anachronisms in the series which I believe was a deliberate attempt to make the series timeless. I’ve never heard an official explanation for why though.
I believe the term is “retro-futuristic”. They do it because airships are cool.
The other term is “The Rule of Cool”.*
I can’t wait til I can take a vintage zeppelin to New York City! Even though it’ll take me three times as long, it’ll be…cool.
*[CAUTION: TVTropes links should only be clicked after homework and dishes are done]
I’ve only seen the pilot episode but along with the dirigibles, I also noticed the gibbet cages in the background…
The airships are in keeping with the Art Deco aesthetic adapted by many Batshows. It just looks cool.
Tim Burton’s Gotham City was very stylised and deliberately different, whereas Pennyworth’s Alfred seems to be modelling himself after Michael Caine’s performance in the Nolan movies. The laws seem to be harsher and medieval, with public executions and such. So a little bit of this, a little bit of that, makes it generally timeless and non-specific, while also introducing elements that may later have some plot relevance.