The main thing to remember is that this is being made for kids, so don't set your expectations too high for the writing. I'm betting it's going to probably be up there with Teen Titans, minus the zany anime-ish comedy, or maybe even Batman Beyond.
Don't expect somehtign as dark and almost adult as B:TAS. I'm not saying it isn't possible, but it seems unlikely.
I personally really like the character deisgn. I love the Bruce Timm designs from before, but this is a little closer to Mazzuchelli or Steve Rude's Batman, and I love both of those. Not to mention it fits the "year one" angle they're taking.
The look probably has mostly to do with the new movie. I mean, it is coming out in a little over a year. It can't just be coincidence, and we know from reports that Nolan is going for a "year one" style in the flick.
