Batman: The Animated Series Review: The Definitive Dark Knight Cartoon
9/10 — Batman: The Animated Series (1992)
Pros
- Iconic noir art style
- Definitive voice performances
- Sympathetic villains
Cons
- Uneven episodes
Created by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, the show reimagines Gotham as a timeless film-noir city, with Kevin Conroy voicing Batman and Mark Hamill the Joker. It introduced characters like Harley Quinn.
What works
The ‘dark deco’ visuals, painted on black backgrounds, are distinctive, and the stories treat villains as tragic figures, as in ‘Heart of Ice’ and ‘Mad Love’. Conroy and Hamill are both definitive in their roles, and Shirley Walker’s score is memorable.
Where it falters
With 85 episodes, the quality varies, and a few episodes are formulaic.
Verdict
Stylish, intelligent and influential. Still the best Batman animation.
