Every Batman animated series ranked
By Erik Swann
Image Courtesy of Warner Bros. Television Distribution and DC Entertainment for The New Batman Adventures (1997)
3. The New Batman Adventures (1997-1999)
Because they’re so closely connected, many people like to pair this with its iconic predecessor. However, due to their creative differences, I’m not going to do that here. This sequel series smoothly continued the masked vigilante’s adventures, and managed to maintain just about everything fans loved about BTAS.
The major highlights are undoubtedly the introduction of Tim Drake’s Robin and Dick Grayson’s Nightwing to the DC Animated Universe. The camaraderie among the Bat-Family led to some interesting character interactions and development. DC fan favorites like The Creeper and Etrigan the Demon even popped up. There were also some memorable episodes like the famous adaptation of “Mad Love.”
Aside from expanding on Batman’s world, it also helped to set the tone for the DCAU in a number of ways. Along with Superman: The Animated Series, it originated the dark, sleek art style that would carry over into future DCAU television shows. Worldbuilding was also a key element, and the crossovers with Superman helped to link this fictional universe together.
Living in the shadow of a giant is never easy, but somehow this show manages to do it just fine.