Review: Batman The Animated Series

Batman The Animated Series is incredible and where a lot of people got introduced to the world of heroes / super heroes; I actually got sucked into the Batman universe because of the 1989 Tim Burton movie: Batman. I was 8 when it came out, and I remember being scared out of my mind (hey, when you’re 8, Jack Nicholson’s Joker is damn scary), and then after the movie making a mask with my fingers over my face, using a towel as a cape and telling everyone that “I’m BATMAN”. That time was magic for me. Then, a few years later Batman The Animated Series debuted as an afternoon cartoon, and ever since i’ve had a small bat-logo shaped hole in my heart. I have loved the Batman franchise, but this cartoon series really solidified me on the best of Batman.

Batman The Animated Series

(Also known as Batman TAS) was such an iconic representation of the Batman universe, that it changed everyone elses interpretation of it since then. For example. Mr. Freeze was up until this series a joke villain – it was the episode “Heart of Ice” that gave Mr. Freeze back story and made Victor Freeze one of the first villains in the series to have more motivation than just another psychopath out to cause mayhem for money. Since this animated series, Victor Freeze and his tragic story of a lost wife and accident that has relegated him a cold suit has become cannon.

Even more notable than creating new cannon for an existing villain, is the creation of an entirely new one. Harley Quinn was created in the Batman TAS  and first appeared in the episode “Joker’s Favor“. This weird case of… I don’t know, reverse Stockholm syndrome? Created the sidekick / girlfriend for the joker that became so popular, that she was adopted as cannon for not just this series, but in the DC universe at large. (She isn’t my favorite villain, but she is really one that is worth reading and watching! She also has an awesome ending in Injustice: Gods Among Us)

Stepping away from the characters of the series, and just looking at the voice actors for this show – there is amazing talent that came out of Batman TAS. While Warner Brothers broke the mold for voice acting by putting all the actors in one room to record their takes rather than separating them out for cleaner cuts, they were able to get a much more dynamic performance out of their actors, and boy does it show.  Part of it may have been the recording style, but part of it too was the amazing talents of…

Kevin Conroy – who has the distinct honor now of being the definitive voice of Batman. Kevin, since doing this series has also continued on to play the voices of Batman / Bruce Wayne (Spoilers?)  in the animated movies for this series, Justice League and Justice League  Unlimited, Superman: The Animated Series, a whole cadre of guest staring as Batman in other iconic super hero cartoons, and bunches of video games. When something comes out with Batman in it, I guarantee that the fans are checking to see if Kevin Conroy is doing the voice acting, and doing a little happy dance when he is. Don’t judge me… he’s really good!

Mark Hamill – much like Kevin Conroy, from this series now has the mantle by many people of being the definitive voice of the Joker.   While he had done some voice acting previously, it seemed that the acclaim of Batman TAS propelled him into even more voice acting roles (because please keep him busy – I love you Mark, but I don’t want to see you in the next Starwars movie!). Mark Hamill’s voice acting for the Joker has been used similarly to Kevin – guest starring in other comic book animated series episodes, movies, and even dubbing over an actor for the live action episode of Birds of Prey when Barbara Gordon gets shot.

Lastly, the animation style of this show was phenomenal. It’s easy to see that they took inspiration from the Tim Burton movies (very art deco in style),  but incredibly dark and noir. A big change that this series took in their art direction was instead of starting with white paper, the animators used black paper and then had to draw in all the light, vs drawing in some shadows. The world of Gotham City and Bruce Wayne really is one of darkness and shadows.

Obviously, i’m a biased source, but you should check this series out. Batman The Animated Series is a show that doesn’t disappoint!