Is there anything better than Batman: The Animated Series?

[emo17]

I've watched about half of the first season so far, and although it's pretty entertaining, I find it very one dimensional.
Here are the problems I have with it:
• No continuation between the episodes, which allows for really no story (since the episodes are so short). This isn't too bad, but it would be nice to see some character development, and not just random snapshots of Batman Adventures

• Characters. The writing is decent, but there's no real emotional aspect to this series. Batman is a very one dimensional character here in my opinion, meaning there hasn't been any inner turmoil in the series so far; there haven't been any love interests, or prominant female characters (another problem). Bruce Wayne barely has any social life. Like I said, very one dimensional. There's a villain who does something bad at the beginning of each episode, then Batman chases him, catches him, and puts him in jail, while delivering a few decent one-liners along the way.

• Very campy and kid-oriented. I was under the impression that this was a more adult oriented series, but every time somebody falls off of a building, they land on top of a tree and bounce off just fine. There is no blood either, though that's not too important. What bothers me is that the campiness allows for almost no suspense during the whole series. I'm looking for an R rated Batman series, like Frank Miller's The Dark Knight returns, or at least along the lines of Batman Begins, where Bruce is actually an emotional human being, with a prominant love interest, and issues regarding revenge and his parent's death, battling between how far is okay to go in terms of justice. I want a human Batman, and a much darker story theme wise.

• Darkness, like I already said. Although the colors are mostly very good in the animation, the campiness, lack of character development, lack of personality, lack of relationship continuations, story continuations, et cetera et cetera, do not allow for a very mature, suspenseful, dark, "Batman" like theme to the animation.

• More on the animation. Although the vintage look suits Batman in a way, especially in pictures of just the buildings and the sky, sometimes, the vintage animation does not make for very good action. Also whenever a character sweats it's like a constant stream of drops running down the persons fast at the speed of light, which only serves to remind the viewer that they're watching a corny animation series, and aren't really in a Batman world.

Anyway - I posted this because everyone said this was the best batman series, and I'm wondering if there's anything better, anything more R rated, et cetera.

Also, i know this isn't the X-Men forum, but I started watching x-men evolution, and that show is even worse, and even more childish, and even the voice acting (which is one of the few good things batman the animated series does, along with its music) is awful. Is there a more adult oriented xmen series? How about Spiderman? How about annnyyyy super hero animated series? I just want a good, dark, R rated, "real" superhero series to watch.

Anyone know?

 

[MaskedManJRK]

I think you should try the final season of the series, "The New Adventures," or as it's nicknamed "Gotham Knights." The animation is a lot more streamlined and there are less "kiddy" episodes.

Though I think you missed a whole lot of the mature episodes in there. I have that set, and I can think of up the top of my head:

Two-Face parts 1/2
Heart of Ice
Dreams of Darkness
Appointment in Crime Alley

I would also look at Mask of the Phantasm, the theatrical movie that's the unofficial "prequel" to the series. It definately better than most of the other Bat-movies out there, even Begins.

Also, just FYI: You won't get it from me, but I'm certainly willing to bet a lot of people here are going to give you s**t from your name alone. Just a heads up.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

You don't like Batman: The Animated Series further more your only watching it now!!!!???? - Let me address each of your points because i feel you are missing what this show is about:

Animation: The majority of animation on the show still holds up today (for e.g. i would proudly place 'heart of Ice' next to the most recent episode of 'the batman'). Remember this was the early 90's... animation has come a long way - this show looks beautiful, the animation is simply shaky at times. They did the best they could and more importantly, it suits the look of batman perfectly.

Storytelling: Very campy and kid-oriented
First of all... i really don't see where the show is at all campy (you will need to give a good example of that). It's kid-orientated because... it is a kids show! . However the creative minds behind the show were capable of getting past that and creating some immersive storylines.

No continuation between the episodes: This never really bothered me in the least, and in fact after wacthing JLU for years, it's actually kind of nice to go into a 20 minute story and just get caught up in it.
However the show does get into continuity with such characters as Ra's Al Ghul.



Remember before this we had SUPERFRIENDS - watch that, then B:TAS and come back to me - you will appreciate this show much more.

Make sure you watch mask of the phantasm and all the other shows up to JLU if you like story continuity, as it even goes back to B:TAS!


Finally... you want a dark, r-rated animated show... try SPAWN!

 

[dolfan55aj]

• Characters. The writing is decent, but there's no real emotional aspect to this series. Batman is a very one dimensional character here in my opinion, meaning there hasn't been any inner turmoil in the series so far; there haven't been any love interests, or prominant female characters (another problem). Bruce Wayne barely has any social life. Like I said, very one dimensional. There's a villain who does something bad at the beginning of each episode, then Batman chases him, catches him, and puts him in jail, while delivering a few decent one-liners along the way.

If you want a really good emotional TAS experience, whatch Mask of the Phantasm. It's really amazing and deep, and he's got a huge love intrest. Also just keep watching it, it's kind of an aquired taste. As far as a kids show, yes, but its still a good representation of Batman, and it's not like it isn't entertaining. One thing the kids show did do is have Joker give people that 'eternal smile' instead of killing them, and IMO that's scarier, I'd love them to do that in TDK.

 

[Super_Ludacris]

Justice League Unlimited 1st season

 

[Doctor Baywatch]

first of all, Batman is and should never be r-rated. DKR would not be r-rated either. And continuity is unnecessary.

 

[November Rain]

Sorry dude but you are trolling.

I know i am not a major fan of this series and it is probably held up on too high a pedestal but some of your observations are just plain silly...

if you want really grown up high quality animation with critical continuity between each episode, then i suggest you throw yourself into gundam wing.

 

[November Rain]

first of all, Batman is and should never be r-rated. DKR would not be r-rated either. And continuity is unnecessary.

there was loose continuity

night of the ninja came before day of the samurai
harvey dent dated and remembered encounters with poison ivy before he turned to two-face and remembered in almost got im
the heart of steel double bill came before the episode with the robot batman
rupert thorne and daggett made reappearances that were referenced earlier.
same with clayface and also langstrom with on leather wings and terror in the sky.

you/the thread starter makes it sound like we are watching episodes of family guy/simpsons where practically everything is reset at the end of each ep

 

[The Joker]

No continuation between episodes? Watch the Mr Freeze and Man Bat episodes, for example. Or the Clayface ones.

Your complaints are ridiculous, IMO.

 

[BubbaGump]

I've watched about half of the first season so far, and although it's pretty entertaining, I find it very one dimensional.
Here are the problems I have with it:
• No continuation between the episodes, which allows for really no story (since the episodes are so short). This isn't too bad, but it would be nice to see some character development, and not just random snapshots of Batman Adventures

• Characters. The writing is decent, but there's no real emotional aspect to this series. Batman is a very one dimensional character here in my opinion, meaning there hasn't been any inner turmoil in the series so far; there haven't been any love interests, or prominant female characters (another problem). Bruce Wayne barely has any social life. Like I said, very one dimensional. There's a villain who does something bad at the beginning of each episode, then Batman chases him, catches him, and puts him in jail, while delivering a few decent one-liners along the way.

• Very campy and kid-oriented. I was under the impression that this was a more adult oriented series, but every time somebody falls off of a building, they land on top of a tree and bounce off just fine. There is no blood either, though that's not too important. What bothers me is that the campiness allows for almost no suspense during the whole series. I'm looking for an R rated Batman series, like Frank Miller's The Dark Knight returns, or at least along the lines of Batman Begins, where Bruce is actually an emotional human being, with a prominant love interest, and issues regarding revenge and his parent's death, battling between how far is okay to go in terms of justice. I want a human Batman, and a much darker story theme wise.

• Darkness, like I already said. Although the colors are mostly very good in the animation, the campiness, lack of character development, lack of personality, lack of relationship continuations, story continuations, et cetera et cetera, do not allow for a very mature, suspenseful, dark, "Batman" like theme to the animation.

• More on the animation. Although the vintage look suits Batman in a way, especially in pictures of just the buildings and the sky, sometimes, the vintage animation does not make for very good action. Also whenever a character sweats it's like a constant stream of drops running down the persons fast at the speed of light, which only serves to remind the viewer that they're watching a corny animation series, and aren't really in a Batman world.

Anyway - I posted this because everyone said this was the best batman series, and I'm wondering if there's anything better, anything more R rated, et cetera.

Also, i know this isn't the X-Men forum, but I started watching x-men evolution, and that show is even worse, and even more childish, and even the voice acting (which is one of the few good things batman the animated series does, along with its music) is awful. Is there a more adult oriented xmen series? How about Spiderman? How about annnyyyy super hero animated series? I just want a good, dark, R rated, "real" superhero series to watch.

Anyone know?

I think it's the fact that you're in the first volume (I'm assuming you didn't meant season). They had some pretty inconsistent episodes and it continued that way until the third volume (the best, IMO).

That being said however, you'll never get a good R-rated Batman TV show. You'd be stupid to think so.

 

[Dark Guardian]

Everyone else has addressed most of the issues I was going to comment on, so I'll just leave this one.

Is there a more adult oriented xmen series? How about Spiderman? How about annnyyyy super hero animated series? I just want a good, dark, R rated, "real" superhero series to watch.

If you're looking for anime, this wouldn't be the place to find it.

As for the tone of the series and the 'darkness' of the character:
This is for me, the ideal characterization of Batman. Alot of people, including yourself probably want a Batman who's meaner, tougher, on the edge of being able to kill the people he fights.
I don't want that. That isn't Batman for me. Frank Miller's idea of Batman has never meshed with mine.
Alot of people get off saying that Batman is about anger, revenge and ultimately about hurting people.
That just doesn't work for me.
The Animated Series portrayed Batman exactly how I see Batman and 'darkness' be damned. If you want dark, go to Marvel, Batman needs to stay 'dark' as in non-Adam West, but he never, ever crosses the line between good and evil. He doesn't even come close.

 

[Mr. Joker Risin']

there was loose continuity

night of the ninja came before day of the samurai
harvey dent dated and remembered encounters with poison ivy before he turned to two-face and remembered in almost got im
the heart of steel double bill came before the episode with the robot batman
rupert thorne and daggett made reappearances that were referenced earlier.
same with clayface and also langstrom with on leather wings and terror in the sky.

you/the thread starter makes it sound like we are watching episodes of family guy/simpsons where practically everything is reset at the end of each ep

Don't forget The Riddler episodes.

But yeah, you (the thread maker) really gotta check out the later episodes, such as Volumes 2, 3, and 4. I like the first volume, but with the exception of the Two-Face, Clayface, and Mr. Freeze episodes, I'd say it's the weakest installment in the collection.

And yeah, it has a loose continuity, but it's still a damn good continuity. Maybe I have ADD, but I like it better when the episodes are more stand alone, only making past connections when neccesary. I love the JL/JLU series, but it was hard to watch during free time cuz either you had to watch a 2/3 parter to get the full story in, or in the case of JLU, each episode was tied into one huge story arc, which made it difficult to just watch a random episode when you wanted to. Where as if I have about a half an hour before I go somewhere, I can just pop in an episode and be done with it in time. Want to watch a Riddler episode? Pop it in. Want to see a Joker/Harley episode? Pop it in. It's great!

B:TAS reminded me of how it is in the comics, where each new issue is a stand alone story, yet they still keep past events in perspective. In fact, that's probably why I love the series so much. Each episode is like reading an issue of Batman. You get a title screen and a complete story revolving around a single story arc. Plus it has such great storytelling. Great, now I'm in the mood to watch a few episodes, lol.

 

[Dope Nose]

• Very campy and kid-oriented. I was under the impression that this was a more adult oriented series, but every time somebody falls off of a building, they land on top of a tree and bounce off just fine.

it was on at 4:30 in the afternoon.

 

[dolfan55aj]

As for the tone of the series and the 'darkness' of the character:
This is for me, the ideal characterization of Batman. Alot of people, including yourself probably want a Batman who's meaner, tougher, on the edge of being able to kill the people he fights.
I don't want that. That isn't Batman for me. Frank Miller's idea of Batman has never meshed with mine.
Alot of people get off saying that Batman is about anger, revenge and ultimately about hurting people.
That just doesn't work for me.
The Animated Series portrayed Batman exactly how I see Batman and 'darkness' be damned. If you want dark, go to Marvel, Batman needs to stay 'dark' as in non-Adam West, but he never, ever crosses the line between good and evil. He doesn't even come close.

Amen to that.

 

[Doctor Baywatch]

Everyone else has addressed most of the issues I was going to comment on, so I'll just leave this one.


If you're looking for anime, this wouldn't be the place to find it.

As for the tone of the series and the 'darkness' of the character:
This is for me, the ideal characterization of Batman. Alot of people, including yourself probably want a Batman who's meaner, tougher, on the edge of being able to kill the people he fights.
I don't want that. That isn't Batman for me. Frank Miller's idea of Batman has never meshed with mine.
Alot of people get off saying that Batman is about anger, revenge and ultimately about hurting people.
That just doesn't work for me.
The Animated Series portrayed Batman exactly how I see Batman and 'darkness' be damned. If you want dark, go to Marvel, Batman needs to stay 'dark' as in non-Adam West, but he never, ever crosses the line between good and evil. He doesn't even come close.

 

[RobC]

Basically, you've taken everything that was great about B:TAS, and reversed it.

There was continuity, emotion, it was dark as hell at some points...

But, it's your opinion I suppose.

 

[BubbaGump]

Don't forget The Riddler episodes.

But yeah, you (the thread maker) really gotta check out the later episodes, such as Volumes 2, 3, and 4. I like the first volume, but with the exception of the Two-Face, Clayface, and Mr. Freeze episodes, I'd say it's the weakest installment in the collection.

And yeah, it has a loose continuity, but it's still a damn good continuity. Maybe I have ADD, but I like it better when the episodes are more stand alone, only making past connections when neccesary. I love the JL/JLU series, but it was hard to watch during free time cuz either you had to watch a 2/3 parter to get the full story in, or in the case of JLU, each episode was tied into one huge story arc, which made it difficult to just watch a random episode when you wanted to. Where as if I have about a half an hour before I go somewhere, I can just pop in an episode and be done with it in time. Want to watch a Riddler episode? Pop it in. Want to see a Joker/Harley episode? Pop it in. It's great!

B:TAS reminded me of how it is in the comics, where each new issue is a stand alone story, yet they still keep past events in perspective. In fact, that's probably why I love the series so much. Each episode is like reading an issue of Batman. You get a title screen and a complete story revolving around a single story arc. Plus it has such great storytelling. Great, now I'm in the mood to watch a few episodes, lol.

Preach it, brutha!

 

[Doctor Baywatch]

I like the "every episode is a movie" concept of the show. The opposite to the modern comics. These are total unaccessable to new readers and "elite" stuff.

 

[GPbatfan]

Batman TAS was a perfect balance. Becuase it was able to appeal to kids, and it still does becuase I've shown it to kids nowadays and they love it. wathcing it recently I noticed that they were able to get away with many things that today you don't even hear of. The whole mob bosses and dealing with drug rings, you dont see that in cartoons today. As a kid watching it I never realized that, but now in my 20's i pick up on things that i didn't as a kid. Also as for continuity even though it's subtle, it's there. The characters progress as the series goes on, and most of them towards the end (Batman beyond) get a kind of closure.

And ya a good place to start and get your origin story is with Mask of the Phantasm. The series picks up with Batman already watching over Gotham so there really isn't an origin there.

 

[Mr. Socko]

If you don't like TAS, you'll have a hell of a fun time with "The Batman." I recommend buying all 5 seasons at once, then pop them in the DVD player and have fun.

 

[spiderfan970]

yeah... you want spawn

 

[Mr. Joker Risin']

Preach it, brutha!

 

[RobC]

TAS is much better than The Batman. To me, that is too manga-ish. I don't like the designs...

 

[dolfan55aj]

If you don't like TAS, you'll have a hell of a fun time with "The Batman." I recommend buying all 5 seasons at once, then pop them in the DVD player and have fun.

First of all how can you not like TAS And The Batman is a horrible show. I could go on about how horribly they destroyed all that is Batman in that series, it makes me sick. But it's probably because I am such a super fan of TAS.

 

[Pumaman]

You make it seem like you're actually talking about the Batman. I've been quite recently watching the early and late episodes of B:TAS and it's quite a lot darker than the Batman.

There's even blood, and things like drug rings, like some poster already said.
So I don't know where that campy and non-bloodless comment came from...

I ,too, liked how the mood of the series was the kind that made me feel like every episode was sort of a mini-movie about Batman.