Some Batman Animated Shows to Watch
In the early 90’s there was a desire to create a new weekly animated series based off of one of DC Comics most popular characters; Batman. Thanks to Bruce Timm, Paul Dini and Eric Radomski a pilot was launched that would change the way cartoons were looked at forever. Now over 25 years have passed and the Batman Animates Series still holds up as one of the greatest animated shows of all time. Below are some small segments of the top three best Batman Animated shows.
Batman: The Animated Series
I love Batman.
I have read so many different variations in the comics, seen all the movies and played all the games. To this day Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Mitch Brian and Eric Radomski are the best reasons why Batman is who he is (aside from Bill Finger and Bob Kane of course).
I remember waking up and watching this on my 17inch TV every morning when the show was syndicating. Every episode brought something new to my emotional spectrum whether is be a light hearted episode like “Harley and Ivy” or something that really makes you want to wait and hear both sides of a story and become empathetic towards the “villain” like in “Heart of Ice”. This show had everything a great tv show needed for a long haul.
If you have not seen this show, you need to do yourself a favor and visit the world of Gotham and experience Kevin Conroy’s legendary Batman voice or get terrified by how Mark Hamill truly will be the only version of the Joker you ever need.
Batman The Brave and The Bold
Ever wonder what it would be like if someone animated the Adam West live action batman with a heavy dose of self-awareness and licensing for mostly the D-list of villains and heroes? Wonder no more. Batman The Brave and the Bold is incredible despite, or maybe even because, virtually the only mainstay villain who pops up is The Joker. The Penguin, Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze make appearances (mostly in the short, pre-opening credits skits) but the rest of the cast are virtual unknowns to anyone outside of the hardest of core fans. And it is great. Did I need more Clock Man? You’d better believe it. Did I need the return of space dictator Kanjar Ro attempting once again to collect aliens to be used as fuel? Only if it means I’ll get a fresh take on Blue Beetle as a recurring character (I did). And this iteration of Aquaman as a bumbling narcissist is probably my absolute favourite. Every episode plays out like a love letter to the golden age of comics, before every superhero movie/show had all if the vibrant colours of an overcast London winter. Batman TBATB is quick, funny, bright and unabashedly enthusiastic about the characters. Oh, and Diedrich Bader as the voice of Batman is a close second to the pinnacle that is Kevin Conroy.
Batman Beyond
A new interesting treatment of Batman. More similar to Peter Parker then Bruce Wayne. A story that takes place in the future focusing on a young Terry McGinnis who takes over the mantle of Batman. Imagine a High school kid struggling to balance his personal life and his super-heroic responsibilities while being yelled at by an angry old man?
This was a really nice change from the regular moody Batman we all know and love. A Story, like I mentioned above, that is more like having Peter Parker as Batman over Bruce Wayne. A rogues gallery that is very rich and diverse coupled with some great sub characters who develop over the course of the 52 episode series really make this one of the better Batman shows to watch.
