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 character in pop culture consciousness, the 90s cartoon has gone on to become one of the most beloved animated superhero shows ever made. WhileBatman: The Animated Seriesdoes age poorlyin certain respects, for the most part, the show has held up remarkably well.
There are a bevy of reasons as to why the beloved show has endured as well as it has over 3 decades 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 book adaptations and TV in general.
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 stayed as strong as it has over the years 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, sidekicks, and endless hordes of villains all sharing the town with him. It’s rare thatBatman: The Animated Seriesdid a disservice to any one of them.
The Iconic Opening of Batman: The Animated Series Just Snuck Back Into the DC Universe
The ending of Batman and Robin: Year One #4 feels mere moments away from launching into the Batman: The Animated Series' legendary intro.
In fact, many Batman fans still consider the world ofBatman: The Animated Seriesto be the “default” Batman setting upon which all other Batman movies, comics, and TV shows are measured. Killer Croc is a monstrous reptile man, Alfred is a dedicated but sassy British butler, and Robin is a wisecracking hero that adds some levity and youthful vigor to Batman’s world. The influence the series has had over time on the Batman mythos is simply 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 existing characters that are so well represented inBatman: The Animated Series.In fact, many of the original names put forth by the show have since gone on to become a dedicated part of the DC comics canon, showing up in other adaptations, as well. Smaller examples like Baby-Doll and Renee Montoya crop up all the time, but by far the biggest success amid the show’s original cast is none other than Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a.k.a. Harley Quinn.
From the moment she first appears, Harley Quinn has held up the longevity ofBatman: The Animated Seriesfor a long time to come.
Batman: The Animated Series’creation of Harley Quinnhas been by far the biggest impact it has left on the world of comic book adaptations. Not only has Harley Quinn just become a fan-favorite, enjoying many other comic, animated, and live-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 longevity ofBatman: The Animated Seriesfor a long time to come.
The cartoon is responsible for some big leaps and bounds in DC representation
Image via Max
Part of the reason Harley Quinn works so well as a character in the Batman mythos is because of how entertaining her interactions with other characters are. Whether she’s turning over a new leaf with Batman or losing herself to her worst impulses with The Joker, Harley Quinn is simply a joy to watch.However, it’s the early seeds that were planted byBatman: The Animated Serieswith her relationship to Poison Ivy that deserves extra commendation.
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy’s friendship was set 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 wearing some questionably casual outfits, leading to the eventual culmination of their romantic relationship in future pieces of Batman media. It’s safe to say that withoutBatman: The Animated Series, DC’s highest-profile same-sex couple would never have gotten the chance to make such an important leap in representation.
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 saying that the two biggest names of the Batman franchise, The Joker and Batman himself, are well-represented inBatman: The Animated Series. Kevin Conroy’s vocal performance as Bruce Wayne and The Dark Knight has become the stuff of legend, breaching over into many other animated properties and even beloved videogames like Rocksteady’sArkhamseries. By the time of his passing,Conroy had far outdone any live-action Batman actor as the definitive 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 chilling raspy tones are a work of pure acting magic, a voice that most would never suspect came from the seemingly idyllic mouth of Luke Skywalker.The two were so perfectly intertwined as hero and villain thatMark Hamill actually retired his role as Jokerafter Kevin Conroy’s passing out of respect for his beloved co-star and friend.
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 hand in the direct creation of many characters, some of its ideas for revamping well-known names were so dramatic and effective that it may as well have.Originally, the Mr. Freeze of the comics was a generic ice-themed criminal, prancing around in what looked like a yellow set of pajamas with an office water cooler on his head. But the redux of Mr. Freeze’s origin provided byBatman: The Animated Serieshas since become the character’s default background.
Now, Victor Fries was a cold, ruthless killer driven by his love for his wife, who he cryogenically froze to stave off her death due to a rare terminal disease.
This sympathetic human motivation now makes Mr. Freeze one of the most compelling and thought-provoking villains in Batman’s numerous rogue’s gallery, driven by something deeper than simple fortune or insanity.His change in design to resemble an intimidating 50s B-movie robot monster was also a cold upgrade.
5Batman: The Animated Series Ensured Batman Never Killed
Unlike most other well-known pieces of Batman media
As great as the manylive-action versions of Batmanare, most of them suffer from a painfully obvious problem - their willingness to kill.Michael Keaton’s Batman quietly dispatched many criminals without overtly drawing attention to it, and Christian Bale’s found creative loopholes to justify the deaths he caused. By the time of Ben Affleck’s Batman in the DCEU, The Dark Knight had become an unrepentant murderer who remorselessly slaughters scores of humans without a second thought, even using firearms on occasion.
Meanwhile,Batman: The Animated Seriesnever compromised on allowing Batman to directly kill a villain, no matter how badly the plot may have demanded it.Granted, much of this may have to do with the heavy censorship the show needed to work around as a technical children’s cartoon. But nevertheless, so many Batmen that have blatantly killed on-screen have only served to makeBatman: The Animated Series' version 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 animated shows in general, let alone among the superhero genre, is how rapidly they tend to age with pop culture references and technology.It’s hard to resist appealing to the lowest common denominator in any creative endeavor,let alone one meant to grab the attention of kids and adults alike. But the ambiguous time period ofBatman: The Animated Serieskeeps it from aging in terms of dated references or art styles.
The Gotham City ofBatman: The Animated Seriesis a sort of miraculous retrofuture that heavily employs a hybrid gothic and art deco art style.Not only does this result in some stunning background cells, but it keeps the time frame of the series ambiguous enough that no one is ever bumped by a jarring unexpected anachronism when going back to it. Batman works best in a strange blend of 1920s and 1950s aesthetics with more advanced technology than is available today, sans cringey pop culture references.
3Batman: The Animated Series Made Sure Batman Actually Helped His Villains
Batman is a hero who saves, not just protects
Over time, Batman begins to get an undeserved reputation as a vengeful, brooding hero that’s more interested on taking out his trauma on unsuspecting criminals rather than actually making the world a safer place. Films like Matt Reeves’The Batmanhave shockingly discovered this with character arcs showing Batman learning to be a symbol of hope as well as fear.ButBatman: The Animated Serieswas way ahead of them, taking the time to show Batman going the extra mile to help and rehabilitate his villains whenever possible.
He gives Harley Quinn a second chance after she decides to leave The Joker.
There are myriad examples of Batman doing so in the animated series.He gives Harley Quinn a second chance after she decides to leave The Joker, and even goes as far as to pay off Harvey Dent’s reconstruction surgery in order to help him recover from being Two-Face. SomeBatman: The Animated Seriesvillains have horrible fates, but they’re usually never the fault of Batman himself, who sees the value and possible goodness in almost every human life.
2Batman: The Animated Series Acted As The Foundation For The DCAU
The animated universe extends far beyond Batman
Another of the best waysBatman: The Animated Serieshas aged was as a springboard for the beloved 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 vision of DC comics characters outside of Gotham City. This eventually culminated in the brilliant crossover seriesJustice League,later followed byJustice League Unlimited.
Also known as the Timmverse, named afterBatman: The Animated Seriesproducer Bruce Timm, this new continuity went on to do for multiple DC heroes what the original show did for Batman.To this day,Justice League Unlimitedremains the best showing of the beloved superhero team in non-comic form. It’s fascinating to go back to where it all began after seeing what an expansive story the jumping 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 wasn’t just the DC universe thatBatman: The Animated Serieswas able to inspire.It’s important to remember that the show was among the first cartoons to mix in serious adult themes, serialized storytelling, and genuine dramatic action into a show ostensibly meant to be viewed by children. This mix of adult and kid sensibilities turned out to be a winning formula that many other Western cartoons went on to emulate, owing a lot to the groundbreaking series.
Shows likeSamurai Jackand the 2003Teen Titanswere only able to be as gripping as they were afterBatman: The Animated Seriesacted as a trailblazer, proving that such a formula could work. Today, these types of shows are some of the most popular animated TV series in existence. If it weren’t forBatman: The Animated Series, it’s safe to say that the biggest hits of Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon might have never come to pass.
