Batman: The Animated Series

Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox television Batman: The Animated Series (often shortened as Batman TAS or BTAS)<ref name=":3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> is an American animated superhero television series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. Developed by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, and produced by Warner Bros. Animation, it originally aired on Fox Kids from September 5, 1992, to September 15, 1995, with a total of 85 episodes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Mid-way through the series' run, it was re-titled The Adventures of Batman & Robin.

Batman: The Animated Series has received widespread acclaim since its release and was hailed as a groundbreaking superhero show, receiving praise for its writing, art design, voice acting, orchestrated soundtrack, and modernization of its title character's source material.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="greatestcartoons">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Its critical success led to the show winning multiple Daytime Emmy Awards,<ref name="imdb.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> as well as the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Programming.<ref name="BTAS Primetime Emmy">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

After the series ended its original run, a follow-up titled The New Batman Adventures aired on Kids' WB as a continuation of the series from September 13, 1997 to January 16, 1999, featuring a revamped animation style. Lasting 24 episodes, it has often been included in the same syndicated re-run packages and home media releases as the final season.

Batman: The Animated Series also became the first in the continuity of the shared DC Animated Universe, which spawned further animated TV series, feature films, comic books, and video games with much of the same creative talent, including the 1993 theatrical release Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.

Series overview

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} List of Batman: The Animated Series episodesBatman: The Animated Series follows Bruce Wayne as Batman, fighting crime in Gotham City while exploring the lives of ordinary people impacted by crime and corruption. Although the series centers on Batman's battles with various villains, it delves into their complex backgrounds, revealing the personal struggles that make them more "relatable." For instance, a scientist attempts to force someone to love him, while a former star tries to relive her lost fame. While action is a major part of the show, it addresses themes such as mental illness and loss. Additionally, the series tackles social issues like divorce, patent law, insurance fraud, homelessness, class prejudice, age discrimination, typecasting, prison abuse, and animal testing.<ref name=":9" />

The series adapts classic Batman comic book stories into episodes. Notable examples include, "The Laughing Fish" brought Joker's antics from Detective Comics #475-476 to life as he tried to copyright Jokerized fish. In "The Cape & Cowl Conspiracy," Batman faced deadly traps inspired by Detective Comics #450. "Moon of the Wolf" saw Batman investigating werewolf attacks based on Batman #255. "The Demon's Quest" introduced Ra's Al Ghul from Batman #232 and #244. "Two-Face" delved into Harvey Dent's backstory, while "A Bullet for Bullock" had detective Harvey Bullock teaming up with Batman to crack a dangerous case.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In other media

Sixteen minutes of animated segments in the video game The Adventures of Batman & Robin for the Sega CD are sometimes referred to as a "lost episode" of the series. These segments are intended to be interspersed between gameplay elements of an early-1990s video game, so the sound, color and story are not quite the same quality as the actual television program. Also, because Sega did not have to follow the censorship rules of the show, the fights were somewhat more violent than those in the animated series. Many of the show's voice actors reprised their roles for the game, and are thus in the lost episode. Similar cutscenes appear throughout the video games Batman: Vengeance and Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Production

Development

In 1990, following the success of the Tiny Toons series, Warner Bros. Animation president Jean MacCurdy announced to the animation team that Warner wanted to develop several of its licenses, including Batman.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":522">Template:Cite AV media</ref> Following this news, Bruce Timm was tasked with designing Batman, and Eric Radomski was assigned to design the sets.<ref name=":4" /> Radomski, who knew Batman primarily from the 1966 series and the 1989 Tim Burton film, was particularly inspired by the latter.<ref name=":522"/> At the request of Jean MacCurdy, Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, who had never worked together before, produced a silent short film called The Dark Knight's First Night in about six weeks to pitch the series to Fox. They decided to draw inspiration from the 1940 Superman series and received assistance from the studio Lightbox Animation. Fox greenlit the project before they saw the short, but this led to Timm and Radomski taking charge of the project, despite having no prior experience producing a series.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":522"/> Since the series had no writers at this stage, MacCurdy recruited Alan Burnett, who was considering leaving animation due to his frustration with the restrictions imposed by the Broadcast Standards and Practices department. It was the short film, along with MacCurdy's assertion that the series would feature guns and fighting, that convinced Burnett to participate. At the time, animated series were generally not very diverse, being mainly aimed at children and constrained by numerous restrictions, especially concerning violence.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":522"/> The production had to navigate these censorship guidelines; although weapons could be shown and characters could shoot, the series was not allowed to depict bullet holes or show characters dying, for example.<ref name=":522"/>

Unlike most other animated series, the artists, directors, and writers worked closely together to ensure effective communication. Each writer received a "scripture bible" written by Bruce Timm, along with writers Paul Dini and Mitch Brian, to outline the overall vision of the series and its characters.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Visual style and themes

Originally, the series was partly inspired by Tim Burton's blockbuster Batman (1989), which portrayed Batman's universe as darker than in previous adaptations.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":522"/> The series also took influence from Burton's follow-up film, Batman Returns (1992).<ref name="bof2">Batman-On-Film Template:Webarchive, Batman: The Animated Series.</ref> The creators abandoned some of the gothic aspects of the film, instead incorporating more Art Deco elements inspired by 1940s New York, coining this unique aesthetic "Dark Deco." Without a precise temporal setting, the city features a blend of 1940s cars, police "blimps," and futuristic helicopters, alongside Batman's advanced vehicles, while television broadcasts are shown in black and white. The backgrounds were drawn on black paper to create darker settings, whereas white paper is typically used.<ref name=":522"/><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" /> Radomski issued a standing order to the animation department that all backgrounds be painted using light colors on black paper as opposed to the industry standard of dark colors on white paper.<ref name="LeatherWingsComm">Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, audio commentary for "On Leather Wings", Batman: The Animated Series, Warner Bros, Volume One box set DVD.</ref>

The series employs "vintage" colors, partly inspired by the 1940s Superman cartoons, as well as film noir classics like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1921), Citizen Kane (1941), and Metropolis (1927).<ref name=":522"/> Background designer Ted Blackman cited Eyvind Earle and Bruce McCall as influences, particularly for their ability to depict "cartoonish settings."Template:Sfn The distinctive visual combination of "noir" imagery and Art Deco design was dubbed "Dark Deco" by the producers.<ref name="btas2">Batman: The Animated Series, an explanation of "Dark Deco".</ref>

The show depicts outright physical violence against antagonists, including realistic firearms (though only one character, Commissioner Gordon, was ever depicted as having been shot, in the episode "I Am the Night"). First-time producers Timm and Radomski reportedly encountered resistance from studio executives, but the success of Burton's first film allowed the embryonic series to survive long enough to produce a pilot episode, "On Leather Wings", which, according to Timm, "got a lot of people off our backs".<ref name="LeatherWingsComm" />

Animation and character design

For the first 65 episodes, Warner Bros. Animation outsourced the series to several animation studios around the globe. These studios included Spectrum Animation, Sunrise, Studio Junio, and Tokyo Movie Shinsha in Japan; Dong Yang Animation, Koko Enterprises Ltd., and AKOM in South Korea; Jade Animation in Hong Kong; Blue Pencil in Spain; and Network of Animation (NOA) in Canada. Tokyo Movie Shinsha (TMS) also animated the opening credits for the first season. However, AKOM was fired due to inconsistent animation quality in several episodes, such as "Cat Scratch Fever" and "Moon of the Wolf."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Much of the short film The Dark Knight's First Night was reused for the series introduction. Its final shot, showing Batman overlooking Gotham City with a lightning bolt behind him, evokes both the cover of Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (1986) and the closing scene of the 1989 Batman film.<ref name=":4" /> The credits omit the series title, as Bruce Timm and Tom Ruegger believed Batman's iconic nature made it unnecessary. This decision reflects the creators' intent to tell a story through visuals alone, avoiding expositional dialogue. Similarly, each episode features a unique intertitle, typically designed by Eric Radomski, which conveys themes or significant events without the use of words, staying true to the series' visual storytelling approach.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":522" />

For season 2, titled The Adventures of Batman & Robin, the twenty episodes were primarily animated by Dong Yang, with exceptions including "A Bullet for Bullock," "Avatar," and "Baby Doll," animated by Studio Junio, and "The Terrible Trio," animated by Jade Animation. The opening credits initially display the season's name before showing several scenes from season one, retaining only the bank explosion from the original credits.<ref name=":5" />

Bruce Timm described feeling frustrated by having to realistically draw animated characters in his previous projects: "I knew that at twenty-four drawings per second, each little line had to be drawn thousands of times; the more lines on a character, the less time an animator has to draw those lines correctly, especially on a television budget and schedule. The result: bad animation."Template:Sfn As a result, the characters were simplified to facilitate animation—everything had to be reduced to the essentials.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Sfn For example, instead of Two-Face's plaid shirt, he wears a suit with one side white and the other black to emphasize his internal conflict.<ref name=":522"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Poison Ivy does not wear a leaf-covered costume; instead, she dons a simple one-piece outfit.<ref> A conversation With Bruce Timm - Pretty Poiso, 2018, Blu-ray</ref>

During preproduction, character designer Kevin Nowlan stated that his challenge was to convey as much as possible using as few lines as possible.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He also mentioned that real people served as inspirations, such as Rhea Perlman for Jesse and George Will for The Ventriloquist. Initially, Nowlan designed The Penguin and The Riddler based on the 1966 Batman series, but his designs were ultimately rejected. Instead, The Penguin's appearance was modeled after his depiction in the film Batman Returns, featuring deformities and slicked-back black hair. Similarly, Catwoman adopted Michelle Pfeiffer's blonde hair.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bruce Wayne was inspired by Walter M. Baumhofer's Doc Savage and Dick Tracy, created by Chester Gould.Template:Sfn The appearance of the Gray Ghost was largely inspired by the hero The Shadow.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Other character inspirations include the Mad Bomber, who was based on Bruce Timm, while Charlie Collins was based on Alan Burnet.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Harvey Bullock's appearance was inspired by one of the criminals Batman fights in the short film The Dark Knight's First Night.<ref name=":5">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Mr. Freeze was designed by comics artist and concept artist Mike Mignola. Per Back Issue! magazine, Mignola related, "I doubt I spent more than 20 minutes on that. As I recall, I had some old book on the history of DC Comics and there was an old drawing of Mr. Freeze there (that) looked very simple (could have been from the '50s or early '60s), and I just pretty much copied it. I might have done something with the goggles or eyebrows, but that's probably it."<ref>Stroud, Bryan D. (April 2025) "The Water in his Veins: The Life and Crimes of Mr. Freeze", Back Issue! #158, TwoMorrows Publishing, Page 6.</ref>

Casting

The series is also notable for its supporting cast. Numerous known actors provided voices for a variety of recognizable villains. Most notable was Mark Hamill, previously famous for his role as Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy, whose prominence as a voice actor was heightened through his "cheerfully deranged" portrayal of the Joker.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The role was originally given to Tim Curry, but he developed bronchitis during the initial recording sessions.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> John Glover, who later voiced the Riddler, also auditioned for the Joker role. Hamill, who found himself to be the biggest fan of the Batman comics among the cast, credited the laughs he had honed on stage in Amadeus with landing him the role. The recording sessions, under the supervision of voice director Andrea Romano, were recorded with the actors together in one studio instead of taking separate recordings, as is typical. This method would later be employed for all subsequent series in the DC Animated Universe. Al Pacino was considered to voice Two-Face in the series, but he declined the offer;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Richard Moll was instead cast in the role. Other actors included Ron Perlman as Clayface, Roddy McDowall as the Mad Hatter, David Warner as Ra's al Ghul, Michael York as Count Vertigo, Kate Mulgrew as Red Claw, George Murdock as Boss Biggis, Ed Asner as Roland Daggett and George Dzundza as the Ventriloquist. Romano initially wanted Christopher Lee to voice Ra's al Ghul, but he couldn't work out his schedule to voice the character, Warner was cast instead.<ref>https://bleedingcool.com/tv/batman-beyond-andrea-romano-working-with-kevin-conroy-mark-hamill-finding-that-right-voice-interview/</ref>

Writing and voice recording

One of the intentions of the series was to make the audience feel empathy for Batman's enemies, so even if Batman were to win, the episode was not necessarily a happy ending.<ref name=":522"/> Some characters notably had their stories reworked, while others were created for the series. Supposed to appear in a single episode, Harley Quinn remains the most successful and impactful character created in the Batman mythos. First appearing in the episode "Joker's Favor," she serves as the Joker's assistant and sidekick. The character is partly based on the one played by Arleen Sorkin, a friend of Paul Dini, during a dream sequence in an episode of Days of Our Lives. Paul Dini wanted to put a henchwoman with the Joker, similar to what was seen in the 1966 Batman series. Her real name is Harleen Quinzel, and she is named Harley Quinn in reference to the character Harlequin from the Commedia dell'arte, whose costume shape she is modeled after. Her black and red colors are inspired by the character Daredevil from the 1940s.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Soundtracks

The series initially took a variation of music written by Danny Elfman for the Burton films as its theme; later episodes of the series used a new theme with a similar style by Shirley Walker, an occasional collaborator of Elfman. The score of the series was influenced by Elfman's work on the Burton films, as well as the music of 1940s film noir.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Walker's work on The Flash series (1990) caught the attention of Bruce Timm. Although initially hesitant, she joined the project after being impressed by the show's art and character depth. While collaborating with Elfman to incorporate his Batman film score, she also created her own "memorable" theme for the series.<ref name=":7">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Walker's approach to composing was notably sophisticated. She crafted character-specific themes based on traits, voice acting, and design, mirroring the techniques of composers like John Williams and Howard Shore. Beyond Batman: The Animated Series, she went on to contribute to Superman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond, helping to define the sound of the DC Animated Universe.<ref name=":7" />

Characters

Main Characters

• Bruce Wayne / Batman (voiced by Kevin Conroy): The Dark Knight, protector of Gotham City and alter ego of Bruce Wayne.
• Dick Grayson / Robin (voiced by Loren Lester): Batman's loyal sidekick and former circus performer.
• Alfred Pennyworth (voiced by Efrem Zimbalist Jr.): Batman's trusted butler and confidant.
  • Clive Revill voiced Alfred in the first three episodes.
• James Gordon (voiced by Bob Hastings): Gotham City's Commissioner and Batman's ally.
• Harvey Bullock (voiced by Robert Costanzo): Gotham City detective known for his tough, no-nonsense approach to crime fighting.

Supporting Characters

• Renee Montoya (voiced by Ingrid Oliu in season one, Liane Schirmer in season two): A dedicated officer of the Gotham City Police Department.
• Lucius Fox (voiced by Brock Peters): A high-ranking officer at Wayne Enterprises and a key ally to Batman.
• Summer Gleeson (voiced by Mari Devon): A reporter for the Gotham Gazette.
• Barbara Gordon / Batgirl (voiced by Melissa Gilbert): Commissioner Gordon's daughter and a vigilante in her own right.
• Dr. Leslie Thompkins (voiced by Diana Muldaur): A compassionate physician who often helps Batman and his allies.
• Mayor Hamilton Hill (voiced by Lloyd Bochner): The mayor of Gotham City, occasionally at odds with Batman.
• Veronica Vreeland (voiced by Marilu Henner): A socialite who occasionally interacts with Bruce Wayne and Batman.
• Karl Rossum (voiced by William Sanderson): A scientist and inventor, sometimes involved in shady dealings.
• Jonah Hex (voiced by Bill McKinney): A bounty hunter from the Old West who makes a brief appearance in Gotham.
• Zatanna Zatara (voiced by Julie Brown): A powerful magician and occasional ally of Batman.
• Simon Trent / Gray Ghost (voiced by Adam West): A retired actor who once portrayed a hero on television, later helping Batman.

Villains

File:Batman Villains.jpg

Batman's rogues gallery includes various iconic villains: The Joker, Poison Ivy, Penguin, and more.

• The Joker (voiced by Mark Hamill): Batman's greatest foe, known for his chaotic and unpredictable nature.
• Harley Quinn (voiced by Arleen Sorkin): Former psychiatrist turned Joker's accomplice and unpredictable villain.
• Oswald Cobblepot / Penguin (voiced by Paul Williams): A crime boss with a fascination for birds and umbrellas.
• Harvey Dent / Two-Face (voiced by Richard Moll): A former district attorney who turns to crime after an accident disfigures half of his face.
• Selina Kyle / Catwoman (voiced by Adrienne Barbeau): A cat burglar who has a complex relationship with Batman.
• Pamela Lillian Isley / Poison Ivy (voiced by Diane Pershing): A botanist turned villain with the power to control plants and toxins.
• Dr. Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow (voiced by Henry Polic II): A psychologist who uses fear as his weapon.
• Edward Nygma / Riddler (voiced by John Glover): A villain obsessed with riddles and puzzles.
• Ra's al Ghul (voiced by David Warner): A master of martial arts and environmental zealot with plans to destroy humanity.
• Talia al Ghul (voiced by Helen Slater): The daughter of Ra's al Ghul, often in conflict with Batman due to her father's ideals.
• Dr. Victor Fries / Mr. Freeze (voiced by Michael Ansara): A scientist turned villain, trying to save his wife with cryogenic technology.
• Matthew "Matt" Hagen / Clayface (voiced by Ron Perlman): A shapeshifting criminal whose appearance is tied to his tragic past.
• Waylon Jones / Killer Croc (voiced by Aron Kincaid): A mutant with a crocodile-like appearance who turns to crime.
• Jervis Tetch / Mad Hatter (voiced by Roddy McDowall): A villain obsessed with mind control and Alice in Wonderland.
• Arnold Wesker / The Ventriloquist and Scarface (voiced by George Dzundza): A meek man with a dangerous alter ego, Scarface, his ventriloquist dummy.
• Dr. Robert Kirkland "Kirk" Langstrom / Man-Bat (voiced by Marc Singer and Frank Welker): A scientist who transforms into a bat-like creature.
• Bane (voiced by Henry Silva): A formidable foe who physically and mentally challenges Batman.

Supporting Villains

• Roland Daggett (voiced by Ed Asner): A wealthy businessman involved in shady dealings.
• HARDAC (voiced by Jeff Bennett): A rogue AI determined to replace humanity with robots.
• Hugo Strange (voiced by Ray Buktenica): A psychiatrist turned villain obsessed with Batman.
• Lloyd Ventrix (voiced by Michael Gross): A villain known as Mirror Man who uses his ability to create mirrors for criminal acts.
• Kyodai Ken (voiced by Robert Ito): A skilled martial artist with a vendetta against Bruce Wayne.
• Mary Louise Dahl / Baby-Doll (voiced by Alison La Placa): A former child star with a tragic condition, often using her appearance for evil.
• Dr. Emile Dorian (voiced by Joseph Maher): A scientist who engages in unethical experiments.
• Red Claw (voiced by Kate Mulgrew): A mysterious international terrorist leader.
• Boss Biggis (voiced by George Murdock): A gangster with grand ambitions.
• Sewer King (voiced by Michael Pataki): A villain who controls a group of mutants in the Gotham sewers.
• Temple Fugate / Clock King (voiced by Alan Rachins): A villain obsessed with time and punctuality.
• Maximillian "Maxie" Zeus (voiced by Steve Susskind): A criminal with delusions of godhood.
• Rupert Thorne (voiced by John Vernon): A powerful gangster and businessman in Gotham City.
• Lyle Bolton / Lock-Up (voiced by Bruce Weitz): A former prison guard who takes justice into his own hands.
• Professor Achilles Milo (voiced by Treat Williams): A mad scientist known for creating dangerous weapons.
• Count Werner Vertigo (voiced by Michael York): A criminal mastermind who uses vertigo-inducing technology to control his victims.
• Tony Zucco (voiced by Thomas F. Wilson): A gangster involved in various illegal activities.

Release

Television broadcasts

Produced by Warner Bros, Batman: The Animated Series features episodes that are typically 22 minutes long, fitting into half-hour time slots.<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref> Season 1 consisted of 65 episodes,<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and initially premiered in primetime on the Fox network. It began with a special broadcast of the first episode, "On Leather Wings," on September 6, 1992, to promote its upcoming debut on Fox Kids, and to elevate its appeal to a wider audience beyond children. The regular primetime schedule started on December 13, 1992, with the episode "I Am the Night," airing Sundays at 7 PM ET, and the final airing of the series in this primetime block concluding with the episode "Perchance to Dream" on March 14, 1993.<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The season concluded on September 16, 1993.<ref name=":1" />

The first season's success prompted executives to demand more episodes and higher ratings. To attract younger audiences, the studio required Robin to appear in every episode, resulting in changes to the show's look, storylines, and title. The series was renamed The Adventures of Batman and Robin, and later The New Batman Adventures. This shift affected potential storylines, including a scrapped episode featuring Catwoman and Black Canary due to Robin's absence.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Hub Network aired the series from September 6, 2011, to November 29, 2013. The channel aired a 10-episode marathon of the series on July 20, 2012, to coincide with the theatrical release of The Dark Knight Rises and even created an animated version of one of the film's trailers, featuring Kevin Conroy and Adrienne Barbeau re-dubbing Batman and Catwoman's dialogue from the trailer.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Home media and streaming service

The home media releases of the series began with VHS tapes distributed by Warner Home Video in the mid-1990s.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These VHS releases were primarily episodic compilations, including titles like The Legend Begins (1992),<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Penguin,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Joker's Return (1997), each featuring a selection of episodes centered around specific villains.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> DVD releases of the series began in the early 2000s, starting with Volume One, which included the first 28 episodes. This was followed by Volume Two, Volume Three, and Volume Four subtitled The New Batman Adventures. A complete series box set, featuring all 109 episodes along with commentaries, featurettes, and behind-the-scenes content, was released in 2008.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On October 30, 2018, Warner Bros. released a remastered–Blu-ray edition to celebrate the show's 25th anniversary. This set included all episodes in high-definition, as well as the animated films Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) and Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998) as bonus features. The Blu-ray collection also offered digital copies, new featurettes, and collectible art cards.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On September 15, 2018, the series was added to the DC Universe streaming service, featuring both standard-definition and high-definition options.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After DC Universe transitioned to a comics-exclusive platform, the series moved to HBO Max on January 1, 2021, as part of WarnerMedia's library.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Reception

Critical reception

Batman: The Animated Series holds a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, with all 21 critics giving it a positive review. The Animated Series is hailed as a landmark in animated television, particularly in the superhero genre, reimagining Gotham City through a film noir lens, and modernizing Batman into a contemporary animated format. The decision to paint animation cels on blackboards to enhance its dark and nocturnal atmosphere was lauded as a groundbreaking visual choice that distinguished it from conventional animated shows.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Critics unanimously praised the series for its mature tone, storyline, voice acting, visual aesthetic, and fidelity to the source material; Kevin Conroy's performance as Batman was singled out for acclaim.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="greatestcartoons" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Scott Mendelson's Forbes article celebrates the series as the best superhero TV show, highlighting its grounded, life-sized drama and realistic portrayal of villains with relatable motivations. Mendelson also discusses how the series addresses real-life issues such as divorce and homelessness, showcasing its maturity and intelligence. Its emphasis on character-driven stories and adult themes has solidified its enduring appeal and established it as the quintessential Batman portrayal.<ref name=":9">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Maya Phillips' review for New York Times highlights the series' impact on how Batman was portrayed in media; much like the 1989 film Batman, the series departed from previous campy versions, embracing a darker, more mature narrative influenced by Frank Miller's comics while balancing serious themes with humor. The review applauds the series for revitalizing classic villains and introducing memorable characters like Harley Quinn, cementing its influence on subsequent Batman adaptations, and foreseeing the franchise's enduring popularity across different media platforms.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result	Template:Ref heading
1992	Annie Awards	Best Animated Television Program		Template:Nom	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
1993	Daytime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Animated Program	Jean MacCurdy, Tom Ruegger, Alan Burnett, Eric Radomski, Bruce W. Timm, Boyd Kirkland, Kevin Altieri, and Frank Paur	Template:Nom	{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
		Outstanding Writing in an Animated Program	Paul Dini, Martin Pasko, Michael Reaves, and Sean Catherine Derek	Template:Won
		Outstanding Film Sound Editing	Thomas Milano, Bob Lacivita, Mark Keatts, Matthew A. Thorne, Aaron L. King, Robert Hargreaves, Jeff M. Sliney, Mike Dickeson, and Russell Brower	Template:Nom
		Outstanding Music Direction and Composition	Harvey Cohen Template:Small	Template:Nom
			Shirley Walker Template:Small	Template:Nom
	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming One Hour or Less)	Jean MacCurdy, Tom Ruegger, Alan Burnett, Eric Radomski, Bruce Timm, Randy Rogel, and Dick Sebast Template:Small	Template:Won	{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
	Saturn Awards	Best Genre Television Series		Template:Nom	<ref>19th Saturn Awards at IMDb.</ref> {{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
1994	Annie Awards	Best Animated Television Program		Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
		Best Individual Achievement for Creative Supervision in the Field of Animation	Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski	Template:Nom
		Best Individual Achievement for Story Contribution in the Field of Animation	Paul Dini	Template:Nom
		Best Achievement for Voice Acting	Mark Hamill	Template:Nom
	Daytime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Animated Program	Jean MacCurdy, Tom Ruegger, Alan Burnett, Eric Radomski, Bruce W. Timm, Frank Paur, and Dan Riba	Template:Nom	{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
		Outstanding Writing in an Animated Program	Alan Burnett, Laren Bright, Michael Reaves, Paul Dini, Brynne Stephens, Randy Rogel, and Martin Pasko	Template:Nom
	Young Artist Awards	Best Youth Actor in a Voice-Over Role: TV or Movie	Scott McAfee	Template:Nom	{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
1995	Annie Awards	Best Animated Television Program		Template:Nom	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
		Best Individual Achievement for Music in the Field of Animation	Shirley Walker	Template:Nom
	Daytime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Film Sound Editing	Mark Keatts, Tom Maydeck, Russell Brower, Robert Hargreaves, Matthew A. Thorne, John Hegedes, Daryl B. Kell, J.J. George, and Mike Dickeson	Template:Nom	{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
		Outstanding Music Direction and Composition	Shirley Walker	Template:Nom
1996	Daytime Emmy Awards		Harvey Cohen and Shirley Walker Template:Small	Template:Won	{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
		Outstanding Sound Editing – Special Class	Robert Hargreaves, Matthew A. Thorne, Russell Brower, Mike Dickeson, Bob Lacivita, Tom Maydeck, Mark Keatts, John Hegedes, Patrick Rodman, and Kelly Ann Foley	Template:Won
		Outstanding Sound Mixing – Special Class	Harry Andronis, Matthew A. Thorne, and Tom Maydeck	Template:Nom
2019	Online Film & Television Association Awards	Television Hall of Fame: Productions		Template:Won	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>{{safesubst:#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}

Legacy

Batman: The Animated Series has often been ranked as one of the greatest animated television shows ever made.<ref name="bestanimated">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1992, Entertainment Weekly ranked the series as one of the top television series of the year.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> IGN.com listed the series as the best adaptation of Batman anywhere outside of comics, the best comic book television show of all time<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the second-best animated series of all time (after The Simpsons).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Wizard magazine also ranked it No. 2 of the greatest animated television shows of all time (again after The Simpsons). TV Guide ranked it the seventh-greatest cartoon of all time.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In his reference book, Batman: The Complete History, Les Daniels described The Animated Series as coming "as close as any artistic statement has to defining the look of Batman for the 1990s."<ref>Daniels (1999), pg. 178</ref> Animation historian Charles Solomon gave the series a somewhat mixed assessment, commenting that "the dark, Art Deco-influenced backgrounds tended to eclipse the stiff animation and pedestrian storytelling" and concluding that the series "looked better in stills than it did on the screen."<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Several new characters and other revamped backstories introduced in the series later made their way into comics and other media. Most notable was Harley Quinn, who was initially introduced in the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Joker's Favor", with the character being inspired and voiced by Arleen Sorkin. The character made her comics canon appearance in 1999 and is now one of the most popular characters in DC.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The show is also known the reinvention of Mr. Freeze in the episode Heart of Ice where they changed him from a laughing stock to a tragic villain.

The dark atmosphere, mature themes, and even some of the voice cast from the series are employed in the Batman: Arkham video game series.<ref name="xbox">Batman: Arkham Asylum Template:Webarchive, game overview.</ref> Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Arleen Sorkin, and Robert Costanzo reprise their roles. Furthermore, the first two games are co-written by series veteran Paul Dini. Also, Batman's design and costume in The Animated Series are featured as an alternate skin in Batman: Arkham City. These skins are available as downloadable content; they were also available in pre-orders at GameStop and a valid membership to Power-Up Rewards.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> There are also Animated-inspired alternate skins for Catwoman, Nightwing, and Robin.

Actor Robert Pattinson, who portrays Batman in The Batman (2022), has cited Batman: Mask of the Phantasm as an example of Batman media that effectively captured the character's psyche in a fashion he hoped his interpretation would emulate.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> The series is a key inspiration for the 2024 animated series Batman: Caped Crusader, again developed by Bruce Timm.

Related media

Canceled projects

A Catwoman spin-off series based on Batman: The Animated Series was briefly considered by the Fox network in the early 1990s. Despite some initial production work, the project was eventually canceled.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Another continuation of the series was in development as an audio podcast drama, with most of the original cast returning along with writer Alan Burnett, but the project was put on hold following Kevin Conroy's passing.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Feature films

• Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) – based on The Animated Series; the film started production as a direct-to-video release, but was ultimately changed into a theatrical release.<ref>Bob Miller (June 1994). "Knight Vision". Comics Scene.</ref> Although the film was not a financial success upon its initial release, it earned widespread acclaim and has since become a commercial success through its various home media releases.<ref name="Radomski">Dini, Kidd, p.117</ref>
• Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998) – a direct-to-video release, which was produced as a tie-in to the 1997 film Batman & Robin. SubZeroTemplate:'s release was delayed until the following year due to Batman & Robin failing to meet commercial and critical expectations.<ref name="stvr">Stomp Tokyo Video Reviews, Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzero review.</ref>

Follow–ups

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The DC Animated Universe (DCAU) began with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992, which became a critical and fan favorite. Its success led to Superman: The Animated Series (1996), followed by The New Batman Adventures, which debuted in 1997 as a direct sequel to BTAS with a revamped animation style to align with Superman: The Animated Series. The sequel also featured several crossovers with Batman's world.<ref name=":8">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

This sequel served as a bridge between the Fox-era Batman and later DCAU spinoffs on The WB and Cartoon Network. Though initially a distinct series, it is now regarded as the third season of Batman: The Animated Series, bringing the Batman storyline into alignment with the broader universe and paving the way for future series like Justice League and Batman Beyond. The DCAU continued to expand with the kid-friendly Static Shock and the oft-forgotten Zeta Project, further enriching its world. In 2001, Justice League united Superman, Batman, and five other heroes, leading to Justice League Unlimited—a sprawling series that celebrated DC Comics by introducing a vast array of characters and storylines.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Batman Beyond23">Template:Cite news</ref>

Comic adaptations

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Batman: The Animated Series was accompanied by a tie-in comic book, The Batman Adventures, which followed the art style and continuity of the show rather than other Batman comic books.<ref name=":6">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This comic series, through various format changes reflecting the evolving world of the show and its spin-offs, outlasted the series itself by nearly a decade. It was ultimately canceled in 2004 as part of a broader effort to conclude the DC Animated Universe.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> One notable milestone of The Batman Adventures was the first official comic appearance of the character Harley Quinn in issue No. 12, which has since become highly sought after by collectors and fans.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> DC announced in February 2020 that Paul Dini, Alan Burnett and artist Ty Templeton would be leading a new miniseries titled Batman: The Adventures Continue, set to be published in April 2020. This new series is based on the animated series and follows shortly after its conclusion, featuring Tim Drake as he adjusts to his role as the new Robin alongside Batman.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Novels

There was also a short-lived series of tie-in novels, adapted from episodes of the series by science fiction author Geary Gravel. To achieve novel length, Gravel combined several related episodes into a single storyline in each novel. The novels included:

• Shadows of the Past ("Appointment in Crime Alley", "Robin's Reckoning" two-parter) (1993)
• Mask of the Phantasm (Batman: Mask of the Phantasm) (1993)
• Dual to the Death ("Two-Face" two-parter, "Shadow of the Bat" two-parter) (1994)
• The Dragon and the Bat ("Night of the Ninja", "Day of the Samurai") (1994)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Video games

Several video games based on the animated continuity were released during the 16-bit game-machine era, using The Adventures of Batman & Robin second season branding. Konami developed a game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), while Sega released versions of the game for the Genesis/Mega Drive, Mega-CD, and Game Gear. The SNES, Genesis/Mega Drive, and Game Gear versions were side-scrolling action games, while the Mega-CD version featured a 3-D driving adventure. All the games had art true to the series, while Sega's versions featured art elements directly from the show's creators.<ref name="ign">IGN Template:Webarchive, The Adventures of Batman & Robin – Sega CD.</ref> The CD version has over 20 minutes of original animated footage comparable to the most well-crafted episodes,<ref name="mobygames">Moby Games, The Adventures of Batman & Robin video game description.</ref> with the principal voice actors reprising their roles.

There was also a game made for the Game Boy based on the series and created around the same time. Developed and published by Konami, this game was distinctive in the fact that it still used the earlier Batman: The Animated Series moniker instead of The Adventures of Batman & Robin second season title given to the other games.<ref name="allgame">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In Lego DC Super-Villains, a downloadable content level was released, based on the Batman: Mask of the Phantasm film, and contained some characters from the show, including the Batman: The Animated Series version of Batman, The Joker, Harley Quinn, Two-Face, Andrea Beaumont as The Phantasm, The Mad Hatter, Man-Bat, and Captain Clown.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill reprise their roles as Batman and Joker respectively.

Merchandise

In the 1990s, toy manufacturer Kenner released a range of action figures and vehicles inspired by the television series. Aimed primarily at children, these toys have become real collector's items twenty years later. To commemorate Batman's 75th anniversary, DC Collectibles released a line of articulated figurines in October 2014, featuring the characters from the series. These are not toys but rather collectible figurines. 22 characters were released by the end of 2015.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

References

Cited text

• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book

External links

• Official website
• Official Warner Bros Site
• Official DC comics Site
• The Adventures of Batman & Robin at Fox Kids (Archive)
• Batman: The Animated Series at The World's Finest
• [https://www.imdb.com/{{#if: 0103359

 | title/{{#if: {{#invoke:ustring|match|1=0103359|2=^tt}}
   | Template:Trim/
   | tt0103359/
   }}
 | {{#if: {{#property:P345|from=}}
   | title/Template:First word/
   | find?q=%5B%5B%3ATemplate%3APAGENAMEBASE%5D%5D&s=tt
   }}
 }}{{#ifeq: {{#invoke:If any equal|main|Q618779|Q67325957|Q33999|value=Template:Wikidata}} | yes 
     | {{#switch: Template:Wikidata 
       | Q618779 
       | Q67325957  = awards Awards for
       | Q33999  = fullcredits Full cast and crew of
       }}
   | {{#if: Template:Wikidata 
     | {{#switch: Template:Wikidata
       | Q63032896 
       | Q66763446  = fullcredits Full cast and crew of
       | Q107974527 
       | Q482994  = soundtrack Soundtrack of
       }}
     }}
   }} Template:Trim] at {{#if: | IMDb | IMDb }}Template:EditAtWikidata{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:IMDb title with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|showblankpositional=1| 1 | 2 | 3 | description | id | link_hide | qid | quotes | title }}{{#switch: {{#invoke:String2|matchAny|^tt.........|^tt.......|tt|.........|source=0103359|plain=false}}| 1 | 3 = Template:Main otherTemplate:Preview warning| 4 = Template:Main otherTemplate:Preview warning}}{{#if: 0103359 {{#property:P345}} || Template:Preview warningTemplate:Main other }}{{#switch: Template:Wikidata 

| Q21191270 | Q21664088 | Q50062923 | Q50914552 | Q99079902 | Q123186929 | Q55422400 | Q61220733 =Template:Preview warning | Q3464665 =Template:Preview warning }}{{#ifeq: Template:Wikidata | Q21191270 |Template:Preview warning }}{{#if: 0103359 | Template:WikidataCheck }}

• Batman: The Animated Series at Big Cartoon DataBase
• The Animated Batman
• "Batmanimation" The home for all things animated Batman
• Batman: The Animated Series in Filmaffinity
• Homage to the Animated Series through the Riddler character, Flash games and animations Template:Webarchive