History WesternAnimation / BatmanTheAnimatedSeries

This series, debuting in 1992 in the {{Fox}} [[FoxKids children's block]], restored the original vision for [[Comicbook/{{Batman}} the character]]. It drew heavily from FrankMiller's 1986 graphic novel ''TheDarkKnightReturns'' and the [[Film/{{Batman}} live-action films]] directed by TimBurton (although some of the latter's baggage, such as the mutated version of the Penguin, caused them some problems). The somewhat minimalist look of the show was largely influenced by the 1940s SupermanTheatricalCartoons, with character designs resembling those of JackKirby, [[DickTracy Chester Gould,]] and Alex Toth. The resulting product, revolutionary for its time, was dubbed "dark deco," and came from 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.

Most of the episodes took place entirely in [[CityOfAdventure Gotham City]], although Batman and Robin occasionally ventured to other cities and even other countries. Besides the [[RoguesGallery familiar villains]], this series introduced the likes of Harley Quinn and Ra's al-Ghul to the television audience. (The former was created whole-cloth for the show, but proved to be so popular she [[CanonImmigrant made her way to the comics]].) The series also marked the first major exposure of major Bat-Villain Two-Face outside the comics, while its revised origin for Mr. Freeze became the definitive version of that story and was also worked into the comics.

The original 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 recurrer to regular. A much more noticeable Retool occurred in 1997, where a ChannelHop and {{Uncanceled}} mix led to TheWB's ''[[TheNewAdventures The New Batman Adventures]]'' (also known as ''Batman: Gotham Knights''). They streamlined the character designs to better match the ''SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'' designs that were produced in between, which allowed for the inevitable {{Cross Over}}s between DC's two most famous superheroes. Notably, the new designs restored the Penguin to the comics version, made Poison Ivy more plant-like, and made Scarecrow [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel scary]]. However, other designs, like the Joker, Catwoman, the Mad Hatter, and the Riddler, were less effective. (Tellingly, the Joker's design was actually changed ''again'' in later series, to one closer to his old look.) {{The WB}}'s broadcast standards were more relaxed than FOX's, which allowed for more action and violence than before, but most consider the stories to have slipped in return. The status quo was very close to the comics of the time, with Batman partnered by a younger Robin named Tim Drake (although his origin was taken from a different source) with original Robin Dick Grayson carrying on as the grown-up hero Nightwing due to a falling out occurring during the interim between the two series and was later explained in a flashback episode.

Head producer Bruce Timm -- who also took on other roles -- carried his design style over into other shows, to make up a complete canon known as the {{DCAU}}. Sometimes it is referred to as the "Timmverse" or the easier-to-say "Diniverse," after the main writer Paul Dini. ''BatmanBeyond'' was a distant future sequel series, while there were some crossover episodes with ''SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'' later in its run (made possible by the character redesigns). ''JusticeLeague'' ended up concluding the DCAU, with Batman as a major character throughout. Despite this decade-plus legacy, however, ''BTAS'' is often cited [[FirstInstallmentWins as the best of the lot]].

Three movies were produced: ''BatmanMaskOfThePhantasm'', ''BatmanAndMisterFreezeSubZero'' and ''MysteryOfTheBatwoman''. ''Phantasm'' got a limited theatrical run and is generally considered one of the best Batman-based productions ever made. ''Sub Zero'' was a pseudo tie-in to the live action movie ''BatmanAndRobin'' and animated in the original art style even though it was produced during the "TNBA" period. ''Batwoman'' came out long after the series had ended regular production and set shortly after the end of the series, with hints toward some aspects of ''BatmanBeyond.''

The series also had an official tie-in comic, ''TheBatmanAdventures'', which also received critical and financial success. Most notably, the Eisner Award winning "Mad Love," detailing Harley Quinn's [[StartOfDarkness origin]], was later adapted as an episode of the TV series.

It has been said that KevinConroy, the voice of Batman, could also have played the hero convincingly in live action. Conroy has played Batman longer than any other actor, with hundreds of episodes under his belt in [[TheDCAU this continuity]], as well as other animated incarnations of the character (and in many fans' own heads as they read the comics). MarkHamill, too, brought a fiendish glee to The Joker's characterization, which has proved influential on every rendition of him since.

While not officially part of the {{DCAU}}, the 2009 video game ''BatmanArkhamAsylum'' is in some ways considered a DarkerAndEdgier spiritual successor as Paul Dini returned to write the script while Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, and Arleen Sorkin reprised their characters from the original series.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: The Joker, of all people, invokes it in "Joker's Millions":
--> I'm crazy enough to take on Batman, but the IRS? No thank you!

This series, debuting in 1992 in the {{Fox}} children's block, restored the original vision for [[Comicbook/{{Batman}} the character]]. It drew heavily from FrankMiller's 1986 graphic novel ''TheDarkKnightReturns'' and the [[Film/{{Batman}} live-action films]] directed by TimBurton (although some of the latter's baggage, such as the mutated version of the Penguin, caused them some problems). The somewhat minimalist look of the show was largely influenced by the 1940s SupermanTheatricalCartoons, with character designs resembling those of JackKirby, [[DickTracy Chester Gould,]] and Alex Toth. The resulting product, revolutionary for its time, was dubbed "dark deco," and came from 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.

The original 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 recurrer to regular. A much more noticeable Retool occurred in 1997, where a ChannelHop and {{Uncanceled}} mix led to TheWB's ''The New Batman Adventures'' (also known as ''Batman: Gotham Knights''). They streamlined the character designs to better match the ''SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'' designs that were produced in between, which allowed for the inevitable {{Cross Over}}s between DC's two most famous superheroes. Notably, the new designs restored the Penguin to the comics version, made Poison Ivy more plant-like, and made Scarecrow [[HighOctaneNightmareFuel scary]]. However, other designs, like the Joker, Catwoman, the Mad Hatter, and the Riddler, were less effective. (Tellingly, the Joker's design was actually changed ''again'' in later series, to one closer to his old look.) {{The WB}}'s broadcast standards were more relaxed than FOX's, which allowed for more action and violence than before, but most consider the stories to have slipped in return. The status quo was very close to the comics of the time, with Batman partnered by a younger Robin named Tim Drake (although his origin was taken from a different source) with original Robin Dick Grayson carrying on as the grown-up hero Nightwing due to a falling out occurring during the interim between the two series and was later explained in a flashback episode.

* AuthorAppeal: The Harley/Ivy [[HoYay Les Yay]]. Even ThatOtherWiki notes it. The PowersThatBe also claim Paul Dini had a crush on Zatanna. Since he actually ''married'' a real life magician, Misty Lee (who bears a striking resemblance to Zatanna), this only furthers the evidence
* AwesomenessByAnalysis

* AnachronismStew: [[TheyPlottedAPerfectlyGoodWaste Intentionally invoked by the creators]] to make when the series takes place ambiguous. For instance, the clothing is from the 1940s. The cars are from the late 1950s. The weapons are 1930-70-ish. The uniforms are from the 1960s. SWAT teams and Liebherr-style cranes exist already. The helicopters are from the 1980s. The social status of women and minorities is modern. The list goes on, too...

** The Riddler [[CutlexLuthorACheck sells his persona for a fortune]] and decides to abandon crime altogether in order to avoid risking his newfound wealth and freedom. However, because he has such a compulsion, he reasons that the only way he can do so is to kill Batman. Naturally, he fails, gets found out and arrested.

* CommutingOnABus: Dick Grayson appears infrequently once he becomes Nightwing after the revamp, having moved out of Bruce Wayne's mansion and operating solo, guest-starring in only a few episodes.

** And, from time to time, Harley Quinn as well.

** Poison Ivy's license plate in "Harley & Ivy" is "[[CitizenKane Rosebud]]."

** The fourth child in "Legend's of the Dark Knight" is an [[AmbiguouslyGay effeminate]] boy named [[BatmanAndRobin Joel]], who talks about how Batman wears rubber armor and has a car that can drive up walls.

* RashomonStyle: The episode ''P.O.V.'' does this with Harvey Bullock, Officer Renee Montoya, and rookie Officer Wilkes explaining a failed sting operation. Notable in events play out the way they actually happened, even when it disagrees with who is telling the story. Bullock knows what happened, but makes himself appear as the component hero while Batman screwed up. Wilkes is honest in his belief, but makes Batman come off as a supernatural being. Montoya more or less tells the truth, and believes that Batman died in the fire.

* RunningGag: Of a sort. Whenever an episode focused on Roland Dagget, this exchange would usually occur:

** Batman will almost always disappear inexplicably when talking to Gordon, who then expresses his confusion.

--> "Guess I'll need a new hobby now that old Charlie is... ffft." *mimes mushroom cloud*
When he says it it sounds awfully similar to.. y'know.

* {{Disnot}}: Grant Walker. A pioneer on animatronics and amusement parks owner, his design of an underwater utopia with no crime is loosely based on the original concept for Epcot Center. He also wants to be frozen like Mr. Freeze, a clear gag on the urban legend that Walt Disney is in cryogenic storage.

* GettingTooOldForThis: Gordon says the line verbatim after he was replaced by a [[RobotMe a robotic duplicate]] as part of a plot to take over the world.