Batman is easily DC’s most prolific character with several live-action adaptations, animated films, and even more animated appearances. The character has made appearances in several animated series ranging from guest appearances in Superman: The Animated Series to a major character in the animated Justice League series. More than that, Batman has appeared in nine animated series solely focused on his adventures. Batman: Caped Crusader, next year’s upcoming and highly anticipated series, promises to be a call-back to the animated series. In preparation for the new series, here is a quick introduction and ranking of the current animated series.
9 Batman Unlimited (2015-2016)
This franchise consists of three movies and a mini-series, all based on a toy line by Mattel. The toys were released before the series, making the storyline revolve around how to incorporate the toys and it shows. The series design is sleek and futuristic and has a wide range of characters such as Nightwing, Red Robin, and Robin but often feels like an extended toy commercial.
8 Beware the Batman (2013)
Beware the Batman is a short-lived animated series that premiered shortly after the zanier and more imaginative Batman: The Brave and the Bold ended. In the wake of Marvel’s Avengers, DC had mandated that all their work have a darker and grittier approach in an attempt to separate themselves from Marvel. This resulted in a series that felt like it was going for a James Bond-style spy thriller without any of the fun of an actual Bond series. It followed a young Bruce Wayne just starting out as Batman supported by Alfred, whose MI6 background is given prominence, and introduced lesser-known characters such as Katana. However, the series felt joyless and overly serious and quickly ended.
7 The Adventures of Batman (1968-1969)
The first Batman animated series. This series premiered even before the well-known live-action Batman series but had much of the campiness that would come to define the live-action. It was serialistic and designed with younger audiences in mind but did a good job paving the way for later shows.
6 The New Adventures of Batman (1977-1978)
Adam West and Burt Ward return to the roles that made them famous in this light-hearted series. The series starts off well enough with all the fun of the live-action series but soon introduces the irritating and all-powerful Bat-Mite who goes on to take up way too much screen time and eventually drags the show down.
5 The Batman (2004-2008)
This series directly follows the iconic Batman: The Animated Series. Batman: The Animated Series was, in many ways, the definitive Batman series, and The Batman had a lot to live up to. Instead of trying to emulate The Animated Series, this show went in a different direction with a younger Batman and Robin and a Gotham that was futuristic and menacingly weird instead of the dark, noir feel of The Animated Series.
4 Batman Beyond (1999-2001)
A futuristic, cyberpunk take on Batman, Batman Beyond follows a retired Bruce Wayne and his new protegee, Terry McGinnis, who has now taken on the mantle of Batman. Technically a follow-up to Batman: The Animated Series, this series stands on its own enough that watching The Animated Series isn’t required but it also contains several fun call-backs to The Animated Series. McGinnis does a good job differentiating himself from both Bruce and his many protegees and this, coupled with an enjoyable new gallery of cyberpunk criminals, made this a solid series with a well-received spin-off movie.
3 Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008-2011)
Unapologetically zany, Batman: The Brave and the Bold initially surprised audiences with its light-hearted take and appeal to younger audiences. Each episode paired Batman with a different hero, ranging from Plastic Man to Booster Gold in a series of adventures ranging from time-travel to a musical. The series drew heavily from Silver Age comics with great aplomb to carve out its own niche.
2 The New Batman Adventures (1997-1999)
While this show is technically a continuation of Batman: The Animated Series, it is also a soft reboot of the series. The series takes place a few years after the ending of The Animated Series and reintroduces Dick Grayson as Nightwing, introduces a new Robin, and brings a darker, grittier take to both Batman and Gotham. While it retains much of the spectacular storytelling and character development of the original, the darker take does drag it down a bit.
1 Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)
For many, Batman: The Animated Series was the definitive animated series, if not the definitive animated take on the character. The series came out shortly after Tim Burton’s live-action movies but quickly differentiated itself by diving into a noir aesthetic instead of Burton’s signature surrealism. The show achieved the difficult balance of having a darker Batman without being overly dark and depressing. It re-introduced the Rogues gallery and introduced a character that would go on to be a fan-favorite, Harley Quinn, as well as a continuation series years later.
