Batman: The Animated Series
Batman : The Animated Serieshas been such an enduring classic for so long for a good reason , aging even better than even the most hopeful day - one fans could have hoped . Coming out not long after 1989’sBatmanre - invented the persona in pop culture consciousness , the XC animated cartoon has gone on to become one of the most beloved animated superhero show ever made . WhileBatman : The Animated Seriesdoes eld poorlyin sealed respects , for the most part , the show has held up remarkably well .
There are a bevy of reason as to why the dear show has endured as well as it has over 3 tenner later . Thebest episodes ofBatman : The Animated Seriesare some of the most compelling Batman stories ever made , and the presentation of the show was second - to - none . But above all else , the series was groundbreaking in multiple ways for both comic Holy Writ adaptations and TV in universal .
10Batman: The Animated Series' Depictions Of Key Characters Has Defined Them For Decades
The show’s cast is still the default for most Batman characters
Part of the reason that love forBatman : The Animated Serieshas quell as strong as it has over the twelvemonth is due to just how well the show nails its characters . Batman almost forms his own comic book universe all his own in Gotham City , with supporting civilians , brother , and sempiternal hordes of villains all partake in the town with him . It ’s rarified thatBatman : The Animated Seriesdid a ill service to any one of them .
The ending of Batman and Robin : Year One # 4 feel bare moments off from launching into the Batman : The Animated Series ' legendary intro .
In fact , many Batman fans still consider the earth ofBatman : The Animated Seriesto be the " nonpayment " Batman setting upon which all other Batman movies , comics , and television receiver appearance are measured . Killer Croc is a atrocious reptile man , Alfred is a consecrated but sassy British butler , and Robin is a wisecracking hero that adds some levity and youthful energy to Batman ’s man . The influence the series has had over time on the Batman mythos is but immeasurable .
9Batman: The Animated Series Debuting Harley Quinn Makes It Even More Important
Harley Quinn has become one of DC’s biggest faces
It ’s not only the exist characters that are so well represented inBatman : The Animated Series . In fact , many of the original names put forth by the show have since go on to become a dedicated part of the DC strip canon , showing up in other adaptation , as well . small model like Baby - Doll and Renee Montoya crop up all the metre , but by far the crowing winner amid the show ’s original cast is none other than Dr. Harleen Quinzel , a.k.a . Harley Quinn .
From the moment she first come out , Harley Quinn has held up the seniority ofBatman : The Animated Seriesfor a retentive clip to come .
Batman : The alive Series’creation of Harley Quinnhas been by far the grown impact it has leave on the human beings of funny book adaptations . Not only has Harley Quinn just become a fan - deary , enjoying many other comic , animated , and alive - action interpretations , but she ’s even become a flagship character for DC as a company . From the moment she first appears , Harley Quinn has held up the seniority ofBatman : The Animated Seriesfor a farseeing clip to come .
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8Batman: The Animated Series Set Harley Quinn And Poison Ivy Up For Romance
The cartoon is responsible for some big leaps and bounds in DC representation
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Part of the understanding Harley Quinn works so well as a character in the Batman mythos is because of how entertaining her fundamental interaction with other characters are . Whether she ’s turning over a unexampled leafage with Batman or lose herself to her sorry impulses with The Joker , Harley Quinn is only a joy to follow . However , it ’s the early seed that were planted byBatman : The Animated Serieswith her relationship to Poison Ivy that deserves extra commendation .
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy ’s friendly relationship was set up up thanks to episodes likeHarley and Ivy , though their interactions later on seemed to imply something more . InThe New Batman Adventures , Harley and Ivy are sharing an apartment while wear off some dubiously daily outfits , lead to the eventual closing of their romantic relationship in future spell of Batman media . It ’s dependable to say that withoutBatman : The Animated Series , DC ’s highest - visibility same - sexual activity couple would never have gotten the chance to make such an crucial bounce in representation .
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7Batman: The Animated Series' Batman & Joker Are Still Some Of The Best
The two most important characters of the franchise are at their best here
As important as supporting characters are , it goes without order that the two cock-a-hoop names of the Batman enfranchisement , The Joker and Batman himself , are well - represented inBatman : The Animated Series . Kevin Conroy ’s vocal operation as Bruce Wayne and The Dark Knight has become the stuff and nonsense of legend , breaching over into many other alive holding and even dear videogames like Rocksteady’sArkhamseries . By the time of his pass along , Conroy had far outdone any live - action Batman player as the authoritative version of the hero for so many .
On the flip side , Mark Hamill ’s Joker was able to keep up just as well . His iconic wheezing laugh and scarey raspy note are a work of pure acting magic , a part that most would never mistrust issue forth from the ostensibly idyllic mouth of Luke Skywalker . The two were so perfectly intertwined as hero and villain thatMark Hamill actually put out his office as Jokerafter Kevin Conroy ’s passing out of regard for his beloved Colorado - mavin and Quaker .
6Batman: The Animated Series' Changes To Mr. Freeze Have Endured The Test Of Time
From generic C-lister to compelling villain
Even ifBatman : The Animated Seriesdidn’t have a helping hand in the verbatim creation of many characters , some of its idea for revamping well - known names were so striking and efficacious that it may as well have . in the beginning , the Mr. Freeze of the comic strip was a generic ice - theme criminal , ruffle around in what look like a yellow set of pajamas with an situation piddle cooler on his head . But the redux of Mr. Freeze ’s origin provided byBatman : The Animated Serieshas since become the fiber ’s nonremittal background .
Now , Victor Fries was a inhuman , pitiless killer driven by his love for his wife , who he cryogenically freeze to stave in off her death due to a rarefied terminal disease .
This sympathetic human motivation now makes Mr. Freeze one of the most compelling and thought - chevvy villain in Batman ’s numerous rogue ’s gallery , driven by something deeper than wide-eyed fortune or insanity . His change in aim to resemble an intimidate 50s vitamin B - movie golem ogre was also a cold climb .
5Batman: The Animated Series Ensured Batman Never Killed
Unlike most other well-known pieces of Batman media
As great as the manylive - action translation of Batmanare , most of them suffer from a sorely obvious problem - their willingness to kill . Michael Keaton ’s Batman softly dispatched many outlaw without overtly draw attention to it , and Christian Bale ’s found creative loopholes to justify the Death he induce . By the fourth dimension of Ben Affleck ’s Batman in the DCEU , The Dark Knight had become an unrepentant murderer who remorselessly slaughters account of humans without a second thought , even using firearms on occasion .
Meanwhile , Batman : The Animated Seriesnever compromised on allow for Batman to like a shot kill a baddie , no matter how severely the plot may have demanded it . grant , much of this may have to do with the heavy censoring the show require to work around as a proficient tike ’s cartoon . But nevertheless , so many batman that have blatantly killed on - screen have only suffice to makeBatman : The Animated Series ' interlingual rendition look all the better .
4Batman: The Animated Series' Art Deco Setting Keeps It From Aging
The cartoon certainly doesn’t feel like a 90s show
One problem with many repair show in general , let alone among the superhero genre , is how rapidly they tend to mature with pop civilization references and technology . It ’s heavy to dissent invoke to the down in the mouth common denominator in any creative enterprise , let alone one think to grab the attention of kid and adult alike . But the equivocal prison term period ofBatman : The Animated Serieskeeps it from age in term of go steady character reference or artwork styles .
The Gotham City ofBatman : The Animated Seriesis a sort of heaven-sent retrofuture that heavily employs a hybrid gothic and artwork deco art dash . Not only does this result in some stunning background cell , but it keeps the time frame of the series equivocal enough that no one is ever bumped by a jarring unexpected anachronism when go back to it . Batman works best in a unknown portmanteau word of twenties and fifties aesthetics with more advanced technology than is available today , sans cringey kill finish reference .
3Batman: The Animated Series Made Sure Batman Actually Helped His Villains
Batman is a hero who saves, not just protects
Over time , Batman begin to get an undeserved reputation as a vengeful , brooding hero that ’s more concerned on taking out his trauma on unsuspecting criminals rather than actually make the creation a safer place . Films like Matt Reeves’The Batmanhave shockingly name this with character arcs showing Batman learning to be a symbolisation of hope as well as veneration . ButBatman : The Animated Serieswas room ahead of them , taking the time to show Batman going the extra mile to help and rehabilitate his villain whenever potential .
He open Harley Quinn a second chance after she decides to go away The Joker .
There are unnumerable example of Batman doing so in the animated serial publication . He contribute Harley Quinn a 2d opportunity after she decides to go out The Joker , and even blend in as far as to pay off Harvey Dent ’s reconstruction surgery in society to help him recover from being Two - facial expression . SomeBatman : The Animated Seriesvillains have horrible fates , but they ’re commonly never the geological fault of Batman himself , who regard the value and possible good in almost every human life .
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2Batman: The Animated Series Acted As The Foundation For The DCAU
The animated universe extends far beyond Batman
Another of the good waysBatman : The Animated Serieshas elderly was as a springboard for the dear DC Animated Universe , also known as the DCAU.After the success ofBatman : The Animated Series , follow - ups likeSuperman : The Animated Series , The New Batman Adventures , andStatic Shockfurther developed the visual sense of DC comics characters outside of Gotham City . This eventually culminated in the brainy crossing over seriesJustice League , later followed byJustice League Unlimited .
Also screw as the Timmverse , named afterBatman : The Animated Seriesproducer Bruce Timm , this new continuity run on to do for multiple DC hero what the original show did for Batman . To this day , Justice League Unlimitedremains the best exhibit of the beloved superhero team in non - comic form . It ’s fascinating to go back to where it all lead off after see what an expansive tale the jump out off point ofBatman : The Animated Serieswas able to tell .
1Batman: The Animated Series Paved The Way For More Serious Cartoons
Modern animation owes a lot to the show
It was n’t just the DC universe thatBatman : The Animated Serieswas able to inspire . It ’s important to remember that the show was among the first cartoon to desegregate in serious grownup themes , serialize storytelling , and echt striking action into a show apparently meant to be look at by youngster . This mix of grownup and kid sensibility turned out to be a winning formula that many other westerly toon went on to emulate , owing a lot to the innovative series .
Shows likeSamurai Jackand the 2003Teen Titanswere only able to be as engrossing as they were afterBatman : The Animated Seriesacted as a trailblazer , proving that such a formula could run . Today , these case of shows are some of the most popular animated TV series in being . If it were n’t forBatman : The Animated Series , it ’s safe to say that the braggart strike of Cartoon web and Nickelodeon might have never come to pass .
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