James Gunn‘s involvement in the Dynamic Duo Batman spinoff concept art controversy drew renewed attention after Swaybox Studios publicly refuted the authenticity of artwork circulating online on May 30. The clarification came as speculation grew over the visuals, prompting an official response from the studio and raising questions about the creative direction of the upcoming film.
Swaybox Studios Addresses Alleged Concept Art Leak
On May 30, images alleged to be concept art from Swaybox Studios’ animated spinoff, Dynamic Duo, began spreading rapidly across social platforms. The three illustrations, which appeared initially on an unofficial Reddit DCAU forum, depicted Batman entering Dick Grayson and Jason Todd’s shared bedroom, future versions of Nightwing and Red Hood atop Gotham’s skyline, and signature designs for the duo themselves. Jason Todd’s striking mohawk of red hair caught the eye of many fans, igniting debate and curiosity about the potential fresh take on the character. Notably, this detail harkens back to his depiction as a secret redhead during Grant Morrison’s Batman and Robin era, which was itself a source of inspiration for elements in James Gunn’s developing DCU.
However, Swaybox Studios soon took to social media to address the confusion, clarifying that the artwork in question was unrelated to their current project.
“The concept art that had leaked online is not from our film.”
—Swaybox Studios spokesperson
With Dynamic Duo only announced in October and with few official details beyond the use of Swaybox Studios’ mixed-media animation style, the look and feel of the spinoff film remain closely guarded. The viral images were the work of a passionate fan rather than a sanctioned preview, feeding both anticipation and misinterpretations within the fandom.
Marcus Evans Emerges as the Source of the Artwork
One day after Swaybox Studios’ debunking statement, artist Marcus Evans revealed himself as the individual behind the speculative concept art. Evans, taking to social media platforms, provided evidence of his creative process by posting a video of himself developing character designs for Dick Grayson and Jason Todd. On Tumblr, he elaborated on his inspiration, specifically for Dick’s Robin costume, stating,
“…wanted to represent Dick as Romani by giving him a floral patterned cape with the red cartwheel symbol”
at the garment’s edge, in addition to aiming for an “old school circus” aesthetic. —Marcus Evans, Artist
This was not Evans’ first foray into faux concept art: in 2019, he generated buzz with unofficial artwork for an animated Batman Beyond film then rumored to be in development. The recurrence underscores the lengths to which devoted fans will go to imagine alternate directions in the Batman mythos.
Unanswered Questions Surrounding Dynamic Duo’s Future
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the project, Dynamic Duo is far from its release, with a projected debut not until Spring 2028. As a result, there is skepticism about whether the animated feature will be completed, especially as the direction of the DCU itself depends on the box office performance of major upcoming titles like Superman.
It also remains uncertain whether Dynamic Duo will be positioned as a DCU prequel or stand alone as an “Elseworld” narrative. James Gunn has previously confirmed that Damian Wayne would take up the role of Robin in the wider DCU, leading projects like the Teen Titans movie. If Gunn and Swaybox Studios choose to integrate Dynamic Duo into DCU continuity, the evolution of the Robin persona could be carried across into future live-action films as well.
The incident highlights both the excitement and unease within the fanbase regarding new directions in beloved franchises. While Swaybox Studios and James Gunn work to define the film’s place in the ever-shifting world of superhero media, fans will remain attentive to any official updates, hoping their favorites are represented faithfully when the project finally reaches the screen.
