Overhated & Underrated: 2004’s Batman Animated Series is Greatly Underrated

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Batman boasts an incredible collection of both live-action and animated stories. The 1990s series, Batman: The Animated Series, was a game-changer, setting a new standard for animated shows and deeply influencing how people viewed the character. Despite the lasting success of that series, the 2004 animated show didn’t receive much attention and remains one of the most overlooked installments in Batman’s history.

Before Robert Pattinson played the role, The Batman was an animated series that debuted in 2004 and redefined the character for a new audience. Growing up in the ’90s, I was a huge fan of Batman: The Animated Series, which stayed true to the classic Batman while still offering fresh takes on the villains. But when I saw The Batman, I immediately noticed it was different – it didn’t just retell old stories, it found innovative ways to approach them, while remaining faithful to the core of what makes Batman, Batman.

The Batman Reinvented the Mythos for a New Age of Kids

Right from the start of The Batman, it was obvious this series would be a departure from previous iterations. This might be why it struggled to emerge from the shadow of Batman: The Animated Series. The very beginning of The Batman introduced a Joker who was radically different from Mark Hamill’s iconic portrayal, but equally captivating and threatening. This Joker was faster, more of a fighter, and arguably more unstable, establishing a new standard for villains throughout the series.

Even Batman has seen major changes over the years. The animated series Batman: The Animated Series highlighted his skills as a detective, while the film The Batman presented a different take – a less polished Dark Knight who relies heavily on technology. This version of Batman is less seasoned and tackles crime in a more contemporary way.

I actually enjoyed that the show featured a less experienced Batman. I love seeing how heroes begin, and it was refreshing to see a version of Batman who wasn’t already a master of his skills – I’m used to seeing him at his peak. I also appreciated the updated technology; things like the Bat-Signal being a cellphone alert and his gadgets being more high-tech felt really modern.

The original Batman: The Animated Series existed in a somewhat unclear timeline, but its distinctively modern feel helped it stand out and attract a new audience. This is just one example of how The Batman series impacted a generation of viewers. If Batman and Gotham City were reimagined today, it wouldn’t compare to the enduring appeal of his villains and allies.

The villains were dramatically different. Bane transformed into a furious, crimson beast when injected with venom. Penguin became a surprisingly skilled fighter, even employing strange allies who proved to be formidable opponents for Batman and his team. A new character, Ethan – a former police officer and close friend of Bruce Wayne – was also introduced. While each villain was reimagined, they still retained the core essence of their comic book counterparts. The changes were significant enough to feel new and exciting, but not so drastic that they became unrecognizable.

The recent film The Batman gave Barbara Gordon a great new role. Although I’ve always preferred Dick Grayson as Batman’s first partner, I really appreciated how the movie brought Barbara in to help Batman connect with others. She effectively became his first ally, and her addition significantly improved the story and how Batman operated.

Honestly, I really liked how they introduced Batgirl. Her story felt different – it wasn’t about some tragic backstory, but just a genuine desire to make a difference and help people. It actually made the whole Batman universe feel more connected and natural, like everything flowed together better. She looked up to Batman and decided she wanted to join the fight, so she geared up and went for it. And her optimistic attitude was a really cool contrast to everything else!

When Robin finally joined, it was great having another experienced hero to guide him. The friendly rivalry between Robin and Batgirl was fun to watch, and it brought a fresh take to their relationship, moving beyond what fans usually see in the comics and the animated series.

This new take on Batman was both enjoyable and important. Because people strongly associated Batman with Michael Keaton and the animated series, The Batman really needed to stand out and be different. While it didn’t always fully succeed, it made enough of an impact to leave a lasting impression on me and a lot of other fans.

The Batman Remains Sorely Underrated Among the Fandom

When fans discuss the best Batman animated series, they usually mention Batman: The Animated Series (BTAS), Justice League, Young Justice, and Teen Titans. These shows are almost universally praised. However, The Batman is often overlooked, despite deserving to be part of the discussion. In fact, Batman: The Brave and Bold is brought up more frequently than The Batman is.

The animated series The Batman is considered by many to be one of the strongest interpretations of the character. Beyond its unique style and visuals, the show offers a realistic and relatable take on Batman’s story. However, it didn’t achieve the widespread recognition it deserved, likely because it premiered after the highly acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series.

Although a Batman film was released in 2004, it was Batman Begins in 2005 that really captivated audiences. Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies were incredibly successful and had a huge impact on how people saw the character. For more than ten years, these films were considered the best and most definitive interpretation of Batman, far surpassing any other version.

The different versions of The Batman are vastly dissimilar – in terms of mood, appearance, and even the fact that some are animated while others are live-action. This makes it challenging for the newer films to feel unique, especially since many fans were hoping for a continuation of Christian Bale’s portrayal of the character.

Batman: The Animated Series addressed some of these issues, but it competed with the live-action films starring Val Kilmer and George Clooney, which fans weren’t eager to see. While BTAS benefited from the popularity and style of the Michael Keaton movies, The Batman had to establish itself alongside those same films.

The DCU Should Look to The Batman For a Blueprint

Beyond being a fantastic show, The Batman already delivers the detective-focused, serious tone many fans are hoping for in a Batman adaptation. Instead of trying to replicate that, the DC Universe could benefit from learning from The Batman and blending its approach with the lighter, more optimistic style of the Adam West Batman, while also featuring engaging and complex villains.

In The Batman, Bruce Wayne is usually the serious one, letting the characters around him provide the humor. The show’s over-the-top villains also contribute to this dynamic. This approach worked well with audiences, and the appearance of Superman in The Batman created exciting new interactions and storylines.

The Batman successfully walked the line between being fun and over-the-top, and dark and serious – something the older films never quite achieved. It felt truly special, offering a fresh take on Batman while staying true to the character. If future DC films can capture this same balance, it could launch an amazing new Batman saga.

While not completely forgotten, The Batman sometimes feels overlooked. The film offers a fresh and unique take on Batman, his friends, and his enemies. It’s essential viewing for fans and is arguably one of the most underrated Batman movies ever made.

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2026-01-29 20:10