In a stunning leap beyond Gotham, Batman Azteca: Clash of Empires introduces an untold saga where the Dark Knight rises from the heart of the Aztec Empire. Unfolding in an age of conquest and glory, the animated film follows Yohualli Coatl, a young warrior turned avenger, as he dons the bat’s mantle against the fearsome Hernán Cortés. With iconic characters reimagined in a world of gods, temples, and betrayal, this fresh Elseworlds tale unites ancient history with heroic legend—now arriving in English and Spanish this September.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Aztec-era reboot of Batman introduces Yohualli Coatl as a warrior-turned-Caped Crusader.

• Villains reimagined: Hernán Cortés becomes a Two-Face hybrid; Joker is reborn as a brutal madman.

• New allies and rogues: Jaguar Woman (Catwoman), Forest Ivy (Poison Ivy).

• Voice cast includes: Jay Hernandez as Batman, Raymond Cruz as Joker.

• Directed by: Juan Meza-Léon (Harley Quinn, Rick and Morty).

• Release dates: Digital on Sept 19, 4K/Blu-ray/DVD on Sept 23.

In a cinematic twist that’s been long in the making, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment unveiled the first trailer for Batman Azteca: Clash of Empires during a packed panel at San Diego Comic-Con. More than three years after its initial announcement, the animated Elseworlds film reintroduces Batman—not in the gritty streets of Gotham, but amidst the temples and turmoil of the ancient Aztec Empire.

The trailer, which was released online via IGN for those unable to attend the convention, marks a significant departure from traditional Batman lore. Set during a time of conquest and resistance, the film follows a young Mesoamerican warrior, Yohualli Coatl, who takes on the mantle of the Bat after his village is ravaged and his father slain by invading Spanish conquistadors.

The narrative, rich with cultural subtext and historical tension, opens with a tender exchange between Coatl and his father, just moments before Spanish forces arrive demanding gold. His father’s refusal to betray sacred Aztec traditions leads to his swift execution by Hernán Cortés—an act that catalyzes Coatl’s transformation into the Dark Knight of Mesoamerica.

“There’s a sense of inherited duty and a deep-rooted desire to protect what’s left,” says one of the film’s creative leads, speaking on the emotional underpinnings of the character. “Yohualli doesn’t just become Batman—he becomes a symbol of resistance in a crumbling world.”

Forced to flee, Coatl finds refuge in Tenochtitlán, where he begins a sacred and spiritual journey of self-discovery and vengeance. Under the guidance of a temple mentor—an Aztec-era parallel to Alfred Pennyworth—he trains in the ways of the warrior, learning to channel the energy of the bat god Tzinacan. His transformation is both physical and philosophical, embodying the duality of fear and hope, tradition and adaptation.

What sets this project apart is not only its unique setting but also its bold reimagining of classic Batman characters. Cortés, more than a historical antagonist, evolves into a version of Two-Face—complete with a signature gold coin and a volatile sense of justice. His motivations are as much rooted in power as they are in vengeance.

Meanwhile, the Joker’s reinvention is especially chilling. No longer just a clown-faced criminal, this iteration is a blood-stained lunatic who has carved his own smile and slowly infiltrated Cortés’s trust.

“He’s unpredictable, he’s violent, and he’s tragically charismatic,” said actor Raymond Cruz, best known for his role as Tuco Salamanca in Breaking Bad, who voices the Aztec Joker. “It’s a darker take, even by Joker standards.”

Joining Cruz in the English-language cast is Jay Hernandez (Suicide Squad), who lends his voice to the Aztec Batman. In the Spanish-language version, the film features notable voices such as Horacio García Rojas, Omar Chaparro, and Álvaro Morte. Direction comes from Juan Meza-Léon, known for his work on Rick and Morty and Harley Quinn, while the screenplay is penned by Ernie Altbacker (Justice League Dark: Apokolips War).

The film doesn’t stop at mere reimagining. It expands the Batman universe in culturally respectful ways. Catwoman is reinterpreted as Jaguar Woman, fierce and stealthy, echoing the jaguar warriors of Aztec legend. Poison Ivy emerges as Forest Ivy, a nature deity-like figure offering spiritual guidance instead of villainy.

To deepen the viewer’s understanding of this historical-fantasy crossover, Warner Bros. has included two featurettes with the release:

• “The Battle Cry of Aztec Batman” – Follows Jay Hernandez’s behind-the-scenes journey into the role, exploring the emotional and technical challenges of voicing a Batman outside of Gotham.

• “The Batman Mythology and Aztec Inspiration” – A collaborative deep dive with screenwriter Altbacker and Hernandez into how Aztec traditions and Batman’s legacy were merged on screen.

Though Elseworlds stories have always allowed for alternate realities in DC lore, Batman Azteca arrives as one of the boldest experiments yet. It is less a simple shift in scenery and more a complete cultural reimagining that blends myth, colonial history, and heroism into a new kind of legend.

Batman Azteca: Clash of Empires will debut digitally on September 19, with 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD versions available from September 23 in both English and Spanish.

Batman Azteca: Clash of Empires stands as a daring artistic venture, blending timeless heroism with the rich textures of Mesoamerican history. By placing the Caped Crusader in an era shaped by conquest, mythology, and resistance, the film offers a striking reimagination of a global icon. With a powerful voice cast, bold visuals, and deep cultural inspiration, this Elseworlds narrative invites both longtime fans and new audiences to witness Batman as never before—reborn under the shadow of pyramids, facing enemies carved from both legend and history.

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