Batman: The Animated Series: Difference between revisions

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''Batman: The Animated Series'' (or ''BTAS''), which debuted in 1992 on the [[Fox]] [[Fox Kids|children's block]], restored the original vision for [[Batman|the character]]. The show aired from 1992 to 1995 on FOX. Towards the end, it was given a minor [[Retool]] into ''The Adventures of Batman & Robin'', promoting the latter hero from recurring role to regular star. A much more noticeable retool occurred in 1997, where a [[Channel Hop]] and an [[Uncanceled]] order led to [[The WB]]'s ''[[The New Adventures|The New Batman Adventures]]'' (also known as ''Batman: Gotham Knights''). This retool streamlined the character designs to better match the ''[[Superman: The Animated Series|Superman the Animated Series]]'' designs that were produced in between, which allowed for the inevitable [[Bat Family Crossover|Bat Family Crossovers]].

It drew heavily from [[Frank Miller]]'s 1986 graphic novel ''[[~~The Dark Knight Returns (Comic Book)|~~The Dark Knight Returns]]'' and the [[Batman (film)|live-action films]] directed by [[Tim Burton]] (although some of the latter's baggage, such as the mutated version of the Penguin, caused them some problems). The often-minimalist look of the show was largely influenced by the 1940s [[Superman Theatrical Cartoons]], with character designs resembling those of [[Jack Kirby]], [[Dick Tracy (comic strip)|Chester Gould,]] and Alex Toth. The resulting product, revolutionary for its time, was dubbed "dark deco"; it was also the result of co-producer Eric Radomski's standing order to the animators that all backgrounds be drawn with light colors on black paper (instead of dark colors on white paper, as is the industry standard) to ensure that the artwork stayed as dark as possible. Head producer Bruce Timm -- who also took on other roles -- carried his design style over into other shows, thus making ''Batman: The Animated Series'' the first entry in the fully-realized canon known as the [[DCAU]].

It drew heavily from [[Frank Miller]]'s 1986 graphic novel ''[[The Dark Knight Returns]]'' and the [[Batman (film)|live-action films]] directed by [[Tim Burton]] (although some of the latter's baggage, such as the mutated version of the Penguin, caused them some problems). The often-minimalist look of the show was largely influenced by the 1940s [[Superman Theatrical Cartoons]], with character designs resembling those of [[Jack Kirby]], [[Dick Tracy (comic strip)|Chester Gould,]] and Alex Toth. The resulting product, revolutionary for its time, was dubbed "dark deco"; it was also the result of co-producer Eric Radomski's standing order to the animators that all backgrounds be drawn with light colors on black paper (instead of dark colors on white paper, as is the industry standard) to ensure that the artwork stayed as dark as possible. Head producer Bruce Timm -- who also took on other roles -- carried his design style over into other shows, thus making ''Batman: The Animated Series'' the first entry in the fully-realized canon known as the [[DCAU]].

''BTAS'' 's brief venture into primetime showed off its well-known edgier themes, pushing the limits of what had been acceptable in Western animation (notably, sparse application of [[The Hit Flash]], and overt use of realistic -- if [[Rare Guns|unlikely]] -- guns, rather than [[Family-Friendly Firearms|dubious stand-ins]]).

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** In "Mudslide," Clayface reveals the first name of his accomplice when he shouts... [[A Streetcar Named Desire|"STELLAAAAAAA!"]], and "[[Psycho|Dr. Bates once owned a motel..."]]

** Fictional example, Batman based the layout of the Batcave on his superhero idol "[[Show Within a Show|The Gray Ghost]]."

** "Legends of the Dark Knight." Four kids share their views of the Bat. One boy says he is a metahuman with wings. Another says he is [[Batman (TV series)|a cheery guy who calls Robin "chum."]] The girl retells an iconic scene from [[~~The Dark Knight Returns (Comic Book)|~~The Dark Knight Returns]]: with [[Superman: The Animated Series|Darkseid's voice.]]

** "Legends of the Dark Knight." Four kids share their views of the Bat. One boy says he is a metahuman with wings. Another says he is [[Batman (TV series)|a cheery guy who calls Robin "chum."]] The girl retells an iconic scene from [[The Dark Knight Returns]]: with [[Superman: The Animated Series|Darkseid's voice.]]

** In "Perchance to Dream", Gordon says to Batman "Any idea what it [the mind-control helmet] is?" and Batman deadpans back the final line of ''[[The Maltese Falcon]]'':

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** Prior to the Animated Series, Mister Freeze was a thug in a powered suit with an ice gun and actually was ''dead'' in the comics when the show first aired. The show gave Freeze a tragic past which DC promptly incorporated into the comics with the result of completely revitalizing the character.

** The original Clock King was simply a clock-themed crook. A new version was introduced in 2008 based off of the Temple Fugate version, sharing his name, manner of dress, and [[Awesomeness By Analysis]].

** The 2009 ''[[~~Batgirl 2009 (Comic Book)|~~Batgirl 2009]]'' series reveals that "The Gray Ghost" is now [[Show Within a Show|an old TV show within the DCU proper]], and [[Stalker with a Crush|an ardent fan of hers]] assumes the "Gr'''''e'''''y Ghost" identity, complete with hat and mask, in an attempt be her sidekick. Batgirl herself, Stephanie Brown, explains that she never watched the show, but she knows that the main character ''must'' have been smarter and saner than this guy.

** The 2009 ''[[Batgirl 2009]]'' series reveals that "The Gray Ghost" is now [[Show Within a Show|an old TV show within the DCU proper]], and [[Stalker with a Crush|an ardent fan of hers]] assumes the "Gr'''''e'''''y Ghost" identity, complete with hat and mask, in an attempt be her sidekick. Batgirl herself, Stephanie Brown, explains that she never watched the show, but she knows that the main character ''must'' have been smarter and saner than this guy.

* [[Retired Badass]]: "The Lion and the Unicorn" reveals that Alfred spent time as a British government operative many years ago and, even though his primary duties were behind a desk, he amassed quite a few skills.

* [[Retro Universe]]: It is shown in "Cold Comfort" that that episode is set in August of 1997 and the technology is effectively that of the [[The Nineties|1990s]], but the industrial design is the Art Deco of the 1930s and 40s and people still wear [[Nice Hat|hats]]. A particularly glaring example was seen in "Fear of Victory," whose plot hinges on a college football game. The athletes are shown playing without facemasks and wearing leather helmets, out of fashion since at least the 1950's. Televisions were typically black and white (though color ones existed). One episode showed that ''Bruce Wayne'' owns a black and white TV. Yeah, the billionaire with the massive, high-res computers in his basement.