Batman-Online.com

Monarch Theatre => Animated Batman => Topic started by: Paul (ral) on Sun, 4 Jul 2010, 00:17

Title: The Batman
Post by: Paul (ral) on Sun, 4 Jul 2010, 00:17
Any fans of this show when it was around?

I only watched 1 episode but never really got into it.  I'm thinking about giving it another chance but is it worth my time?
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: gordonblu on Sun, 4 Jul 2010, 01:07
As long as you lower your expectations.


The fourth season has the best episodes IMHO.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: phantom stranger on Thu, 8 Jul 2010, 02:31
You would think that BTAS would start a renaissance in Super Hero animation.

Alas, much of what came after it was crap. Except, of course, for the DC stuff made by the same people, but that doesn't count.

I understand that the later Batman cartoons were intended to be for a younger audience but it's not exactly like BTAS was Tarantino material.

Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: Grissom on Thu, 8 Jul 2010, 14:17
I had to get use to the animation style for practically all the characters, but overall not a bad series, I thought it was good but not as excellent as the BTAS. Give it a try if you can get them cheap.  ;D
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: colobat65 on Sun, 20 Feb 2011, 14:14
I was excited about The Batman but when I saw it, It was difficult not too throw something at the the screen!!!
The Look of the characters was my biggest complaint.....Why would they do that to The Joker and Riddler looking more like The Crow?
The most distubing for me was Bane...Red????
I did like that Adam West was on board as Mayor Grange and they did a good job with Alfred.
Overall I just thought they could have made a really good adaptation of characters that have been around 70 years now Instead of taking "creative liberty".
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: Azrael on Thu, 24 Feb 2011, 22:24
The only thing I watched from this series was the "The Batman Vs. Dracula" animated movie. Plot-wise, lacklustre and boring and nothing to do with the excellent elseworlds tale of the same name. The only things I liked is that the Penguin has flippers (like his BR counterpart) or some architecture in the background designs. I absolutely loathed the animalistic Joker - part of the Joker's charm is that he looks like a clownish dandy from Hell, the Sabretooth-like Joker was one of the most ridiculous things ever done with a Batman character. For me it was worse than Bane from B & R.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: Seantastic on Wed, 2 Mar 2011, 14:44
Bought the first season for £2.99, well worth it, so bought the rest a week later, £10 a pop, I actually think its good, no BTAS but damn its something new, fresh and pretty great.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: The Dark Knight on Fri, 8 Apr 2011, 09:20
Quote from: SilentEnigma on Thu, 24 Feb  2011, 22:24
I absolutely loathed the animalistic Joker - part of the Joker's charm is that he looks like a clownish dandy from Hell, the Sabretooth-like Joker was one of the most ridiculous things ever done with a Batman character. For me it was worse than Bane from B & R.
What I like about Batman is that they will try different things. In that regard, I don't grill them for trying. Certain groups (eg. Superman) are very much against change. Case in point replacing Williams' main theme, etc, etc. With Batman they'll just do it, and for better or worse, we have a wide range to pick from.

But indeed, the bare foot monkey aspect (hanging from walls and ceilings) didn't quite do it for me. The Joker can launch into frenzied frolics, but he can only do what is humanly possible. The animal side gave me the impression he wasn't as intelligent as other Joker incarnations. He was more of a literal monster. But hey, I always say if you're going to do something, go the whole way with it. And they did so here.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: thecolorsblend on Thu, 21 Apr 2011, 02:33
At first, I was really put off by the series. But (A) it's designed more specifically for children and (B) BTAS was still fresh in a lot of peoples' minds so it wouldn't pay to do too much of the same stuff BTAS did or else this show would suffer in comparison.

The only thing that REALLY bothered me was how bland and vanilla the Clayface design was. The BTAS version was inhuman and LOOKED the part but this one? Just boring to look at. Not off-kilter anatomy/proportions (that I can recall anyway).

I think it was worthwhile for what it tried to be.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: DocLathropBrown on Thu, 21 Apr 2011, 16:19
"The Batman" was an excellent show. I don't see how any real Batman fan could hate it.

The problem is people comparing it to TAS. Really? That was lightning-in-a-bottle, people. Expecting something else to live up to the show you've built up in your minds as insumountable is just that--insurmountable. TAS is pehnominal... but just because a show isn't as good as it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: Kingdjack4500 on Thu, 29 Dec 2011, 04:47
I guess I'm the only person that liked it I have the whole series
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: gordonblu on Tue, 10 Jan 2012, 07:05
Relax, you're not the only one.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: Kingdjack4500 on Tue, 10 Jan 2012, 18:54
Would like it to come out on blu ray
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: greggbray on Mon, 27 Aug 2012, 23:39
I gave it a shot during its first run, and just felt like I wasn't the audience for it.

That said, I began watching regularly beginning with Season 4 and watched that and Season 5. 

Season 4 was terrific.  I really enjoyed this take on it, right down to the goofy Killer Moth mutation.  Season Four includes Alan Burnett from BTAS as a show runner and Paul Dini is given a shot to bring Harley Quinn in. It's fun watching the BTAS veterans cut loose a little bit and play in this new world of story.

Also some of the episodes are just terrifically written.  In particular, the Artifacts episode that pays a great deal of homage to the recent comics  and TDKR.  Probably my favorite episode of the series, and as far as I'm concerned, *nails* The Batman's characterization.

While I can't speak to the earlier seasons, Season 4 is terrific. 
Title: The Batman
Post by: Paul (ral) on Tue, 28 Aug 2012, 00:05
I've been watching some of these with my son now. These episodes have Superman in them and are pretty good.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: thecolorsblend on Wed, 10 Apr 2013, 16:59
This show has really gotten a bad rap. If we'd gotten this in 1992 rather than BTAS, people would be raving about it to this day. The animation looks great to me, the voice talent that I've heard is largely good (only Dan C's Krusty the Clown version of Scarface bothers me from the episodes I've seen) and it looks like this was a conscious effort to be an action-oriented show for an all-age audience.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: GBglide on Wed, 10 Apr 2013, 17:23
I never got into it. From what my brother has said (he watched it closely) is that the network often claimed to have a new episode and then it would be a rerun. That will kill any series soon enough....  :(
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: Edd Grayson on Thu, 25 Jul 2013, 12:44
I've watched a few episodes, I thought it was OK but not even close to B:TAS. I loved the intro from The Batman though.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: The Dark Knight on Sun, 17 Nov 2019, 09:52
When I haven't been mingling with you cheerful chaps, I've been making my way through this show again for the first time in ages. Nestled in between BTAS and TBATB, it really is severely underrated.

I note version of Bruce also resembles Pattinson.

(https://i.ibb.co/mGs4Kwg/D0-C06-CBC-D587-4-B6-F-B13-E-B0-D902018-FE7.jpg)

I like how the series evolves over the five seasons. It's worth revisiting to the point it's a hidden gem, which is strange to say for something with 65 episodes. But it's the truth.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: thecolorsblend on Mon, 18 Nov 2019, 02:14
Quote from: The Dark Knight on Sun, 17 Nov  2019, 09:52
When I haven't been mingling with you cheerful chaps, I've been making my way through this show again for the first time in ages. Nestled in between BTAS and TBATB, it really is severely underrated.

I note version of Bruce also resembles Pattinson.

(https://i.ibb.co/mGs4Kwg/D0-C06-CBC-D587-4-B6-F-B13-E-B0-D902018-FE7.jpg)

I like how the series evolves over the five seasons. It's worth revisiting to the point it's a hidden gem, which is strange to say for something with 65 episodes. But it's the truth.
I think history has been kind to this series. TB had to go out of its way to be different from BTAS. So they made some kind of interesting creative decisions. But the series is reverent toward Batman and the fans. The overall tone of the series sort of reminds me of the late 60's comics, when the Adam West era had been mothballed but the fullness of Adams, O'Neil, Aparo and others hadn't come yet. It's fun and high-adventure type stuff that intentionally tries to be slightly less dark than BTAS was.

I can see where this show isn't for everybody. The anime bit of characters either moving or talking but rarely talking while moving can get a bit predictable. But I still applaud the show for trying to be good, yet different.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: Edd Grayson on Mon, 18 Nov 2019, 14:43
I remember a few things from this series fondly, such as their take on The Penguin or Bane and the original stories. And I still love the season 1 intro.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: The Dark Knight on Mon, 18 Nov 2019, 22:29
Quote from: thecolorsblend on Mon, 18 Nov  2019, 02:14
The overall tone of the series sort of reminds me of the late 60's comics, when the Adam West era had been mothballed but the fullness of Adams, O'Neil, Aparo and others hadn't come yet. It's fun and high-adventure type stuff that intentionally tries to be slightly less dark than BTAS was.
The Bat Wave device is a nice update of the B66 batphone.

I had a quick skim of this opinion piece and generally agreed with their sentiment:

https://www.cbr.com/the-batman-most-underrated-dc-animated-series/

Quote from: Edd Grayson on Mon, 18 Nov  2019, 14:43
I remember a few things from this series fondly, such as their take on The Penguin or Bane and the original stories. And I still love the season 1 intro.
People can say what they want about U2, but The Edge's main theme is seriously cool. Most Batman themes go for gothic and orchestral. But he ignored all that to do his own thing with a spy thriller atmosphere that elicits mystery in a whole other way. Apart from the original BTAS introduction (which is untouchable) I think this is the best from a Batman animated show.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: Travesty on Tue, 19 Nov 2019, 03:49
I actually never even fully watched this show, only a few episodes. When it originally aired, I was still in college and didn't have cable, and it was briefly on Netflix, and right when I started to watch it, they took it down by the time I got to the third episode, lol.

Maybe I'll get around to it one day?
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: Vampfox on Fri, 29 Nov 2019, 17:46
I love this show. It's different from the animated series, but it does somethings better.
I like this show's version of Catwoman better than the animated series version. The animated series version of Catwoman was a damsel in distress half the time, whereas this show's version of Catwoman is a character who doesn't need a man to save her.
I also feel that the worst episode of The Batman is better than the worst episode of the animated series.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: The Dark Knight on Mon, 6 Jan 2020, 19:00
Quote from: Vampfox on Fri, 29 Nov  2019, 17:46
I love this show. It's different from the animated series, but it does somethings better.
I like this show's version of Catwoman better than the animated series version. The animated series version of Catwoman was a damsel in distress half the time, whereas this show's version of Catwoman is a character who doesn't need a man to save her.
I also feel that the worst episode of The Batman is better than the worst episode of the animated series.
This 2011 opinion piece makes the case for some of the things The Batman did better than BTAS, and they agreed with your opinion on Catwoman:

https://www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/2011/11/06/what-the-batman-did-better-than-batman-the-animated-series/

I find the arguments very sound and fair.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: Vampfox on Mon, 13 Jan 2020, 15:49
The tie-in comic for this show is pretty good too.
(https://i.imgur.com/55L74K0.jpg)
It's just a fun Batman universe. I prefer it over the Nolan movies that tried too hard to be grounded.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: The Laughing Fish on Sun, 9 Feb 2020, 04:26
I've watched a couple of episodes of this show in the past, the one I remember the most is Batman teaming up with Green Arrow, but I just can't get into it. I appreciate they tried to do something different, and it was always going to be a tough act to follow after the DCAU era, but the animation and the voice acting feels so flat. It's simply not for me.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: The Dark Knight on Wed, 11 Mar 2020, 05:47
Quote from: Vampfox on Mon, 13 Jan  2020, 15:49
It's just a fun Batman universe. I prefer it over the Nolan movies that tried too hard to be grounded.
This show gets dismissed, but I think the most underrated Batman product would have to be Beware The Batman. The Batman at least had five seasons and 65 episodes. Beware only had one season and 26 episodes, meaning its own individual foothold is greatly lessened. However, I think Beware is elevated when you keep Earth One in mind, which also features a young Batman with a rougher Alfred. That's what begins momentum and a trend in the franchise as a whole, especially if The Batman with Pattinson and Serkis continues that vibe. So ultimately, for a show that I don't think many actually saw, the influence may end up being quite large.   
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: Vampfox on Fri, 26 Jun 2020, 14:55
(https://i.imgur.com/CtdVzyt.jpg)

At one time there were plans for a movie based on the Hush storyline set in The Batman universe.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: thecolorsblend on Fri, 26 Jun 2020, 15:02
Quote from: Vampfox on Fri, 26 Jun  2020, 14:55
(https://i.imgur.com/CtdVzyt.jpg)

At one time there were plans for a movie based on the Hush storyline set in The Batman universe.
I would've been up for that. I doubt they would've taken the same liberties that modern DC animated films are becoming infamous for.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: Silver Nemesis on Fri, 26 Jun 2020, 15:19
Quote from: thecolorsblend on Fri, 26 Jun  2020, 15:02
I would've been up for that. I doubt they would've taken the same liberties that modern DC animated films are becoming infamous for.

Agreed. The 2019 Hush movie was pretty bad. I can't imagine this being worse.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: The Dark Knight on Fri, 26 Jun 2020, 15:37
I'm hoping The Batman gets a Blu-ray release at some point. I think it deserves one. I recently purchased BTAS on the format, along with Beyond, and it's well worth it. I wasn't that bothered about upgrading them from DVD in the past, but an affordable price came along and I jumped for it.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: thecolorsblend on Thu, 9 Jul 2020, 01:08
As lower-spectrum Millennials and upper-spectrum Zoomers are coming of age, I find this show is getting a lot of reevaluation.

To wit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0NTU5_5Xv0
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: The Dark Knight on Thu, 9 Jul 2020, 02:04
Quote from: thecolorsblend on Thu,  9 Jul  2020, 01:08
As lower-spectrum Millennials and upper-spectrum Zoomers are coming of age, I find this show is getting a lot of reevaluation.
I feel that too, and I'm glad. I have a suspicion the show will be a lot more known for the simple fact the Reeves film shares the same name, which is a positive flow on effect. TB doesn't receive alternate suit skins on videogames or anything like that, which makes it feel unloved or simply invisible, to the point people probably didn't even know it existed. I'd like that to change. Always comparing it to BTAS is where the problems lie, and it's hard to escape given it followed immediately afterwards.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: BatmanFurst on Thu, 9 Jul 2020, 03:40
I do find it interesting that the Penguin on that show is another version of the Danny Devito Penguin. You'd assume WB would think that version was out of date by that point.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: thecolorsblend on Sat, 18 Jul 2020, 19:06
I mentioned I'm going through a Dracula thing right now in some other thread. So today's entertainment? The Batman vs. Dracula.

Not bad. Not amazing either but not bad. It's a fun little supernatural horror romp. An entertaining change of pace from The Batman's usual tone. Not that there's anything bad about its usual tone. But sometimes, changing things up can be a lot of fun.

People who are more knowledgeable about The Batman usually say that The Batman vs. Dracula can't truly be part of the show's continuity for a variety of reasons. Honestly, I'm not too worried about that. It looks like The Batman, uses the same type of music, obviously has the same voice cast. So I'm fine with the movie pretty much no matter what.

It won't change your life but it's a fun little adventure. Recommended.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: Silver Nemesis on Sun, 19 Jul 2020, 11:26
I've never actually seen The Batman vs. Dracula movie. I tried getting hold of a copy years ago, but for some reason it always seemed to suffer from limited availability in the UK compared to other animated Batman films. But I would like to see it. I dig Batman vampire stories, and I like The Batman TV series, so this sounds like my kind of thing.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: The Dark Knight on Wed, 17 Nov 2021, 04:32
Quote from: The Dark Knight on Fri, 26 Jun  2020, 15:37
I'm hoping The Batman gets a Blu-ray release at some point. I think it deserves one. I recently purchased BTAS on the format, along with Beyond, and it's well worth it. I wasn't that bothered about upgrading them from DVD in the past, but an affordable price came along and I jumped for it.
My hopes have come true: we're getting a Complete Series Blu-ray release on February 1, 2022.

(https://i2.wp.com/batman-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-Batman-Complete-Series-Blu-ray-02.jpg?fit=1517%2C2032&quality=80&strip=info&ssl=1&w=1314&h=1010)

Day one buy.
Title: Re: The Batman
Post by: thecolorsblend on Wed, 17 Nov 2021, 05:29
Sounds good to me.