The Long Night of 1939.
In the shadow of 1939, Gotham stands battered and broken. The echoes of the Great Depression have brought the city to its knees, leaving its people struggling for hope amid crime and corruption. A decade of turmoil has transformed Gotham into a crucible of desperation, its streets ruled by ruthless gangsters and crooked politicians.
But in the darkness, a shadow stirs.
Out of the city’s despair emerges a figure—part myth, part man. A detective in the truest sense, this Batman is no superhero but a relentless, down-to-earth crusader against the rot that threatens to consume his city. Over the course of a single year, his presence will upend the fragile balance of power, striking terror into the hearts of Gotham’s underworld while offering a faint glimmer of hope to the innocent.
Yet, as quickly as he rises, this shadowy figure will vanish, leaving behind only whispered tales of The Long Night of 1939.
This project is another storytelling exercise. This time, I envisioned a closed series and handled everything from concept and modeling to look development and lighting. It was a larger project, and I wanted to capture the unique mood of a dark 1930s aesthetic with a stop-motion feel created in 3D. I aimed for distinctive characters, unique lighting, and a fresh take on the character by returning to its origins. Maybe someday it gets made.
Character Sketch.
The Batman suit is simple and bold, reflecting its era, but I wanted to pay homage to all the designs created over time while adding my own unique take. I ultimately merged the bat logo into the suit, giving it a sharp and graphic look.
Arthur the Joker has a vibe true to his era. I wanted to introduce stripes to break away from the more common looks he has had over the years, bringing a mix of clown and criminal elements in juxtaposition. I love the bat-shaped Easter egg in his hair—Joker is obsessed with Batman, and thinking about these world-building details is something I enjoy to enrich the visuals.
I wanted to create a Bat-vehicle scene, so I researched designs from the 1930s and found the 1930 Henderson KJ Streamline motorcycle. It felt like something this Batman would ride.
