Even though he tried to deflect the blame, it’s at the very least a coincidence that James Gunn being named as co-CEO of DC Studios has led to an uptick in the comic book company’s episodic efforts being canceled, with the Arrowverse on its last legs.
Superman & Lois fans have become swamped with dismay as the axe potentially looms overhead, but even the most ardent supporters of the small screen mythology can’t argue that the quality has been declining at the same speed as the ratings for quite a while now, although not many were sold on Gotham Knights from the very beginning.
The first season still has two episodes left to air, but it’s already cultivated a reputation as one of the most bland, banal, and resolutely uninteresting comic book adaptations of the modern era, not just on The CW. That apathy has been reflected in both its critical responses and the shrug of indifference from its target audience, but a lot can be explained away by the fact it was made on a shoestring.
If the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s small screen exclusives can’t escape criticism carrying budgets of $25 million per installment, then Gotham Knights didn’t really stand a chance when it’s been touted as the single least expensive DC show that’s ever aired on the network. No offense intended to the cast and crew who worked hard to bring the street-level adventure to life, but it shows.
Ironically, being so cost-effective might actually save it from cancellation given that The CW is going out of its way to trim the financial fat across the board, even if there’s hardly going to be an outpouring of grief, campaigns, and petitions should Gotham Knights end up as a one-and-done.