The Batman (TV series)

The Batman is an American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. based on the DC Comics superhero Batman.

Overview

Although the series borrows many elements from previous Batman storylines, it does not follow the continuity set by the comic books nor that of the previous The Animated Series or its spin-offs. Also, the animation style bears a strong resemblance to the pseudo-anime style of Jackie Chan Adventures, with the designs of many characters, like the Joker, being very different from those of their comic counterparts. This has predictably led to negative comparisons with the acclaimed aforementioned series, many of which criticize the animation style and view the different interpretations of certain characters—with the best example again being the Joker—as highly unusual. There is also controversy within the fandom that exists for the show, some embracing the recent changes in the theme (song and overall) and Batman now "bringing on" the time tested "Batman Family" route. Others, however, feel that the first two seasons were a shaky, but gradually evolving throwback to Year One, and thus better that way. The Year One fans also preferred him solo, a situation which the addition of Batgirl in Series 3 (and soon Robin) makes almost impossible. Lastly, there was slight criticism of the decision to introduce Batgirl before Robin.

It could be said that The Batman is very much like the DCAU's equivalent Ultimate Marvel characters. In other words, the basis of the character and some back story are similar to the original, but the villains and situations are different.

The series made its world premiere on Kids' WB in United States on September 11 2004. First-run episodes are broadcast during Kids WB's Saturday morning lineup. Repeats of the show have aired on Toonami and/or Cartoon Network worldwide.

A spin-off comic book series, The Batman Strikes!, is based on the world of The Batman.

Synopsis

In the first season of The Batman, Bruce Wayne (voiced by Rino Romano) is 26 and in his third year as the Batman, protector of Gotham City. A younger Batman confronts familiar foes for the first time, with the aid of Alfred Pennyworth (Alastair Duncan), who guides both Bruce Wayne and Batman when needed, and the technology he has secretly developed, such as the Bat-Wave.

In this series, Batman meets most of his major adversaries for the first time, many with character designs that differ markedly from their comic-book counterparts. Season One features new interpretations of Rupert Thorne (Victor Brandt), The Joker (Kevin Michael Richardson), Catwoman (Gina Gershon), The Penguin (Tom Kenny), Mr. Freeze (Clancy Brown), Clayface (Steve Harris), Firefly (Jason Marsden), The Ventriloquist and Scarface (Dan Castellaneta), Man-Bat (Peter MacNicol), Cluemaster (Glenn Shadix), and Bane (Joaquim de Almeida). The first season also introduces two new characters, Detectives Ethan Bennett (Steve Harris) and Ellen Yin (Ming-Na), charged with capturing the vigilante Batman. This is somewhat reminiscent of Detective Harvey Bullock and Officer/Detective Renee Montoya of The Animated Series, who similarly sought to catch Batman, but eventually end up in a tenuous alliance against crime. At the end of season 1, Ethan Bennett, also an old friend of Bruce Wayne is turned into Clayface. Adam West, who played Batman in the live action series in the 60’s, provides the voice for Gotham’s Mayor. (Interestingly, he also plays the mayor on Family Guy, though this series and characters are both more comedic than The Batman and its Mayor.)

Season 2 introduced other fan favorites with brand new origins, including a sinister version of The Riddler (Robert Englund), Professor Hugo Strange (the late Frank Gorshin, replaced by Richard Green after Frank's death), Ragdoll (Jeff Bennett), Spellbinder (Michael Massee) , Killer Croc (Ron Perlman), and Solomon Grundy (Kevin Grevioux), who was actually Clayface in disguise. At the end of the season, Ellen Yin is found out to have been working with Batman an the partnership ends. Comissioner Gordon (Mitch Pileggi) is introduced and changes the GCPD's view of Batman as well as telling him to make Gotham a safe place for his daughter.

Season 3 introduced more new villains to the series, such as Poison Ivy (Piera Coppola), Cosmo Krank (Patton Oswalt), D.A.V.E (Jeff Bennett), Gearhead (Will Friedle), Maxie Zeus (Phil LaMarr), Prank (Michael Reisz), and Temblor (Jim Cummings). The season also features a young Barbara Gordon, who becomes Batgirl (Danielle Judovits).

Season 4 will introduce Robin. New villains being introduced will be Black Mask, Harley Quinn, Killer Moth,Everywhere Man and Clayface/Matt Hagen. It has been revealed that Robin (Evan Sabara) will be Dick Grayson, Riddler's past will be explored, Penguin will have his own Injustice Gang and Batman will team-up with another JLA member.^*

Episode list

DVD releases

The Batman Vs. Dracula is a direct-to video feature.
Training For Power features episodes 1-3.
The Man Who Would Be Bat features episodes 4-6.
The Batman Season One 2-disc set, released on February 11th, 2006 features episodes 1-13.
The Batman Season Two to be released on September 26th, 2006 features episodes 14-26.

Villains

Crew

Michael Goguen supervising producer
Duane Capizzi supervising producer
Glen Murakami producer
Jeff Matsuda producer
Linda M. Steiner producer
Sander Schwartz executive producer
Alan Burnett executive producer
Kimberly A. Smith associate producer

Trivia

Ellen Yin was possibly named after Ellen Yindel, who was Jim Gordon's successor in The Dark Knight Returns. The characters also share similarities in regards to their views on The Batman. In DKR, Yindel had a strict no Batman policy just as Ellen Yin did in Season 1. However an encounter with Batman made them both question their views and eventually became Batman's ally.

Ellen Yin also bears an uncanny resemblance to a Disney animated character named Elisa Maza who appears in the Gargoyles animated series. Both characters wear jeans, a black T-shirt and a red outerwear item (for Elisa, it's a leather jacket, for Ellen it's an overshirt). There is some speculation from fans of that series that Ellen Yin's design was in some part prompted or influenced by Greg Weisman, a writer who has produced scripts for several of The Batman's episodes, he was also the creator of the Gargoyles series.

Robin's design is very close to that of his Teen Titans counterpart, with a few differences in hairstyle, mask, belt and boots. Producer Jeff Matsuda said that when he designed Robin, he used the Tim Drake costume and took out things he didn't care for, ninja boots, etc.

The series' theme music for the first two seasons is written by U2 guitarist The Edge. The season three theme music is written and performed by Andy Sturmer, composer of the theme music for the animated series Teen Titans.

Awards

The Batman received the Annie Award for Best New Animated Television Show 2004.

In 2006, The Batman won two Daytime Emmy awards. One for Outstanding Achievement In Sound Editing and another for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program.

External links

The Batman at The World's Finest
The Batman at Batman: Yesterday, Today, & Beyond
The Batman at Legions Of Gotham
http://www2.warnerbros.com/thebatman/

2000s TV shows in the United States | Animated television series | Batman television series | Shows on Toonami | Kids WB shows

The Batman | The Batman (série télévisée) | הבאטמן (סדרת אנימציה) | The Batman (televisão)

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