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For all the DC Elseworlds stories about Batman, there are some things that remain constant. For most of the stories, beneath Batman’s cowl is white man and is typically well to do, but how does the story change when he is an indigenous warrior in Mesoamerica? It’s hard to imagine a further person stepping into that role, but that’s what Aztec Batman: Clash of the Empires looks to answer, and it works.

The history of Mexico and the culture of Mesoamerica during the Aztec Empire are the backdrop for the story. Yohuali Coatl, played by Horacio Garcia Rojas, is a young boy when his father Chief Toltecatzin is murdered by a Spanish Conquistador who has his eyes set on the great city of Tenochititlan and the riches of King Moctezuma.

“We did try and keep it in that he was a child of privilege; this is a chief’s son, and that makes him part of the noble class,” screenwriter Ernie Altbacker said. “He doesn’t want to become a masked avenger and risk his life at first. He wants to dance at festivals and swim in the nice sea.”

“Then all that is taken away from him [at the arrival of the conquistadors]. He’s like, the people think this guy’s a god. I know he’s a murderer. I got to step up my game and protect everyone."

After fleeing to the big city, Yohuali trains for years with his mentor Acatzin, who develops weapons to combat the Spaniards and avenge his father’s death. Yohuali is not a warrior, though, and he must toughen up and undergo a transformation of body and spirit, and learn how to master the night. How Batman and his mythology emerge from Mesoamerican culture is a thrilling blend of history and superhero lore.

Those are the parallels to the Batman universe where he comes from a privileged family, like the Pipitli, added director Juan Meza-Leon.

“The Pipitli were the rich people in Mesoamerica, and then you have all these other categories below the Pipitli. So he comes from the Pistil social structure, which is the highest hierarchy.”

“But through circumstances and tragedy, he’s taken a few pegs down and starts to realize there’s more to it than just classes of this or that. We’re all in it together when we have a common enemy that’s willing to kill and destroy us.” 

“Suddenly, those classes disappear, and we all have to fight together. That’s another message of the movie. That everybody, the rich, the poor, all have to come together because they’re going to annihilate us.” 

“Sounds very contemporary.”

Aztec Batman: Clash of the Empires will be available on digital September 19 and 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on September 23 from Warner Bros.

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