Batman: The Animated Series Celebrates 31 Years Today

 On September 5, 1992, Fox Kids aired “Batman: The Animated Series” - a critically acclaimed animated series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. Developed by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, the show would tackle the adventures of The Dark Knight and his ongoing crusade against crime - defending his hometown of Gotham City against the likes of The Joker, Penguin, and Two-Face while also gaining allies in his fight for justice like Commissioner Gordon, Robin, and Batgirl.

The series would jumpstart the DC Animated Universe, and would gain a significant following in the years leading many to consider it the definitive Batman series. The late great Kevin Conroy was cast as Bruce Wayne/ Batman, while also featuring Mark Hamill (aka Luke Skywalker) as the voice of The Joker. Additionally, the character of Harley Quinn made her debut in this show - first appearing in “Joker’s Favor” and played by the wonderful Arleen Sorkin, who sadly passed away just last month.

31 years later BTAS still holds up pretty well, and is the go to recommendation for anyone who wants to get into Batman and his world.

Original Harley Quinn Actress Arleen Sorkin Passes Away at 67

 

“Knock Knock Puddin’! Say hello to your new and improved Harley Quinn!” - Harley Quinn to Joker

Hollywood, the comic book community, and the world of popular culture has lost a true talent and gem - as screenwriter, actress, comedian, and original Harley Quinn voice actress Arleen Sorkin has sadly passed away at the age of 67. It was truly depressing news delivered by so many news outlets and those close to the entertainer who have known her, and the entire world mourns the loss of one of the brightest and energetic ladies to ever grace the entertainment scene.

Best known for her role as Calliope Jones in the NBC series “Days Of Our Lives”, Sorkin would explode into the critically acclaimed “Batman The Animated Series” by playing the role of The Joker’s female sidekick and girlfriend Harley Quinn - first appearing in the episode “Joker’s Favor”. The character was created by writer Paul Dini - who derived inspiration fron Sorkin herself as both were friends during college and the actress was cast in the role by him and BTAS series creator Bruce Timm. Harley’s role would prove so popular that she would return for many more episodes and appear in the rest of the DC Animated Universe - before being adapted properly in the pages of DC Comics and then appearing in several other forms of media, becoming one of the most prominent modern DC characters ever created and played by other actresses including Tara Strong and Margot Robbie in the DC Extended Universe.

Arleen would also reprise her role as the former psychologist turned anti-hero in the video games Batman: Arkham Asylum and DC Universe Online. She will be greatly missed, and the world would never know Harley Quinn without her as the source of inspiration for the character.

Farewell Kevin Conroy - RIP to the Voice of Batman

 

"I am vengeance. I am the night. I AM BATMAN!"

The world will never hear that same conviction and powerful performance delivered by Kevin Conroy - The Juilliard School trained actor who has been "The Voice of Batman" since 1992's Batman The Animated Series. Having voiced the character and played several different versions of The Dark Knight through various forms of media, the 66 year old fought a battle with cancer that ultimately claimed his life - and the world and entire Batman fandom mourns over the loss of one of the most prolific actors ever to bring the Caped Crusader to life.

The news of Kevin's passing first broke through social media among his fellow voice actors and peers, before eventually hitting mainstream news outlets such as THR that have verified the actor's death. Having played Bruce Wayne and Batman since BTAS and The New Batman Adventures, Kevin Conroy continued playing the role in the DC Animated Universe with spin-off shows like Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited. His tenure as Bruce and Bats would continue with other projects (and usually paired with his BTAS co-star and Joker voice actor Mark Hamill) - including the DC Animated Movies and video games such as Rocksteady Studios Batman Arkham trilogy of games as well as NetherRealm Studios' Injustice: Gods Among Us and its sequel Injustice 2. Conroy would even get the chance to play a live-action version of Bruce Wayne - long retired as Batman and wearing an exosuit not unlike the version seen in Kingdom Come, during The CW's "Crisis on Infinite Earths" TV crossover event in 2019. One of Kevin's last projects was the video game "Multiversus" - where he once again played Batman with minimal effort and full of conviction.

Just a few weeks shy of what would have been his 67th birthday (November 30), the world has truly lost a true superhero and Dark Knight icon in the entertainment industry. No other man can say "I AM BATMAN" like Kevin Conroy - and there may never be another person who could step into the cape and cowl like he could.

RIP Kevin Conroy, and thank you for being our definitive interpretation of Batman.

Happy 30 Years, Batman: The Animated Series!

 

One of the most iconic animated television series ever made debuted on this day - running a total of 85 episodes and introducing the world to one of the definitive interpretations of DC’s flagship superhero - The Batman!

Yes on September 5, 1992 - Batman: The Animated Series aired on Fox Kids, and was created by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski to bring The Dark Knight and his adventures to the small screen and capture the hearts and minds of kids and Bat fans across the globe. Hired to portray the iconic role of Bruce Wayne and Batman was Kevin Conroy - who led an all-star ensemble cast that included Mark “Luke Skywalker” Hamill as the voice of The Joker.

Batman: The Animated Series success cannot be understated, as it birthed the DC Animated Universe and led to the creations of Superman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, and the Justice League animated series. It’s presentation of the character has transcended three decades of popculture and fandom, and even led to the introduction of Harley Quinn into DC Comics proper as well as other forms of media. That character also celebrates her 30th anniversary this month. What an impact and legacy this show has made - and the intro alone speaks volumes.

Happy 30th Anniversary, BTAS!

McFarlane Toys Unveils Batman: The Animated Series 30th Anniversary Gold Label Figure With Light Up Diorama

 

With one of the most iconic animated television shows and the beginning of the DC Animated Universe celebrating its 30th anniversary next month, McFarlane Toys and Todd McFarlane himself have unveiled a special "Batman: The Animated Series 30th Anniversary" Gold Label figure - complete with a light up diorama that mimics the end of the iconic intro sequence where the Dark Knight stands on a rooftop as lightning cracks the sky!

Here's Todd showing off the figure in the box, and it will be a Target exclusive in the US while other territories will also get it soon (it's in Hong Kong already as seen in the interwebz).

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Kevin Conroy, the Voice of Batman, reads the first chapter of "Batman: The Adventures Continue"

Giving fans a little treat amidst the trying times, Batman: The Animated Series voice actor Kevin Conroy has taken to social media recently to read the first chapter of the new digital fist comic book series - "Batman: The Adventures Continue".  As a sequel to BTAS and "The New Batman Adventures", it's fitting Conroy is the narrator and guiding us in the new adventures of the Caped Crusader and his Batfamily as they continue to defend Gotham City and the innocent against evil and villainy wherever it may be.


Kevin Conroy Reads Batman: The Adventures Continues #1
Batman: The Adventures Continue is written by Paul Dini and Alan Burnett, with Ty Templeton providing art duties.

DC returns to the world of BTAS with “Batman: The Adventures Continue”

Over 25 years after the critically acclaimed animated series first launched and spawned the DC Animated Universe we all know and love, DC Comics is once again stepping back into the world of “Batman: The Animated Series” and its sequel “The New Batman Adventures”, as a brand new six issue miniseries has been announced called “Batman: The Adventures Continue” - with show veterans and producers Paul Dini and Alan Burnett returning to write the series and Tye Templeton set to illustrate!

The new comic series serves as part of an initiative to help introduce the new line of BTAS style DC Collectibles coming into the market. Jason Todd, aka the second Robin and Red Hood, for instance never appeared in the animated series - but he is getting a toy and this comic series aims to help explain his existence in the DCAU! You can read more about this exciting new series coming from DC via the exclusive report via Entertainment Weekly!

Batman: The Adventures Continue begins this April!

Kevin Conroy, the Voice of Batman, joins DC on the CW's "Crisis On Infinite Earths"!

Batman fans - REJOICE. Another big name has been added to the EPIC DC ON THE CW CROSSOVER EVENT coming this fall in "Crisis On Infinite Earths", and it's none other than Kevin Conroy - AKA THE VOICE OF BATMAN in "Batman: The Animated Series", its numerous spin-offs, and other forms of Batman media in film, TV, and games!

Reported by Comic Book.com, Conroy's casting comes in the heels of Brandon Routh returning to the role of Superman and Cress Williams confirming that "Black Lightning" will be part of the crossover.

His role hasn't been revealed yet... But he could be playing an aged Bruce Wayne/ Batman ala Batman Beyond (which just turned 20 years this year) or The Dark Knight Returns (Update: HE IS PLAYING OLDER BRUCE according to TV Line!). That would be AWESOME, and while the Batman from Batwoman's world hasn't been named yet - one has to wonder if Conroy will wear the Cape and Cowl somehow. If John Wesley Shipp could do 90's Flash, the folks behind Arrow and The Flash may figure something out and surprise us yet.

The Arrowverse's "Crisis on Infinite Earths" will debut this December 2019 and the crossover will run through Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Batwoman, and Legends of Tomorrow until January 2020.

Batman and Harley Quinn Day: DC releases "25 Years, 25 Harleys" video

In honor of "Batman and Harley Quinn Day" weekend and the jester girl's 25th Anniversary since her first appearance in "Batman: The Animated Series" - DC Comics has released a "25 years, 25 Harleys" video, which was shared by Comic Book.com and put up by DC Entertainment.

25 YEARS, 25 HARLEYS
As presented by co-creator Bruce Timm, that's a lot of outfits and appearances by The Joker's girlfriend and lovely adversary of Gotham's Dark Knight. Happy 25th Anniversary, Harley Quinn!

Happy 25th Anniversary, Batman The Animated Series!

25 YEARS... That's a long time coming since Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski collaborated together to create one of the most faithful and influential shows to ever present DC Comics' iconic Dark Knight vigilante to the small screen. Yes folks, the 1992 original "Batman The Animated Series" is now 25 years old, and along with that baggage comes a lot of classic moments, iconic portrayals, and memorable episodes and firsts for a TV Series that gave us a pretty awesome cartoon Batman - one who was voiced by the ever talented Kevin Conroy who has earned the title of being the one and only "Voice of Batman".

While the show is known for a lot of great stories and depictions of Batman's life and rogues' gallery, BTAS also introduced a lot of firsts - including the creation of The Joker's on-and-off girlfriend and iconic villainess Harley Quinn - aka Dr. Harleen Quinzel. She would spin-off the show to become her own prominent presence in the pages of DC Comics, and eventually be featured in live action as well through 2016's DC Extended Universe film "Suicide Squad". What's more Star Wars' star Mark Hamill signed on to voice the Clown Prince of Crime himself in The Joker - a role originally considered for Tim Curry but went to the Luke Skywalker actor instead.


Batman Animated Series Intro
While it certainly is all kinds of special, and influenced also by Tim Burton's Batman films (with star Michael Keaton celebrating his 66th Birthday today), BTAS is nothing short of groundbreaking and amazing... And will forever be a timeless piece of Batman lore that fans deserve and have gotten. Happy Anniversary!

R.I.P Adam West - Batman 1966 star passes away at 88

He was known to a generation as "Batman" of the 1960's TV Series, but he was also an actor of many talents... And now he has joined our creator in the heavens after a long battle with Leukemia. Legendary American actor Adam West passes away at the age of 88, leaving many Batfans devastated and a lot of friends and admirers honoring his legacy by paying tribute to the iconic campy Caped Crusader who entertained millions by fighting crime for justice and peace.


The Best of 1966 Batman/Bruce Wayne
For his many accolades in film and television, Adam West was best known for his portrayal of Bruce Wayne/ Batman in the hit ABC "Batman" series of 1966 and its theatrical film feature follow-up. Embracing his typecasting, he went on to voice the Caped Crusader and play him throughout several features through the years - including a returning animated movie stint in "Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders" which reunited him with his sidekick Robin played by Burt Ward. West would also voice Simon Trent/ The Grey Ghost in the hit 1992 "Batman: The Animated Series" - a character that spoofed and honored his portrayal of Batman and was the inspiration/ hero of Kevin Conroy's Dark Knight.

[Batman TAS] - Gray Ghost- (With Adam West and Bruce Timm!)
As the world mourns and pay tributes including myself, the men who played Batman, and even DC Comics, we all give something to remember a man who is and will forever be Batman in our hearts. R.I.P Adam West, and thank you.

Batman and Harley Quinn: Blu-Ray/ DVD Cover and release date revealed

Set for release in the next few months and bringing a kind of "Batman: The Animated Series/ The New Batman Adventures" nostalgia with its animation and setting, Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment (via Batman-News) have released the cover art to the Blu-Ray/ DVD combo release of "Batman and Harley Quinn" - the brand new DC Universe Original Movie that features Kevin Conroy and Loren Lester returning as Batman and Nightwing, while The Big Bang Theory's Melissa Rauch will be the new voice behind Harley Quinn.

If you haven't seen the official trailer, here it is via Warner Bros. home Entertainment.

Batman and Harley Quinn Trailer
Batman and Harley Quinn will be released on digital on August 15 and on Blu-Ray/ DVD on August 29.

Happy Birthday Kevin Conroy, aka Batman!

As one of the most recognizable voice actors to those who grew up with recent Batman related media, American stage and voice actor Kevin Conroy has been known collectively as the definite "Voice of Batman"... And today marks the man's 61st birthday! Beginning with 1992's "Batman: The Animated Series", Conroy's method of giving Bruce Wayne and Batman two distinct voices was critically acclaimed.

He went on to reprise the role for "The New Batman Adventures" and "Justice League" for the DC Animated Universe, and then lent his skills for the Caped Crusader in other mediums - including Rocksteady Studios' epic "Batman Arkham Trilogy" of games and most recently in the controversial DC Universe Animated Original Movie adaptation of "Batman: The Killing Joke" - where he reunited with his BTAS co-star and voice of The Joker himself, Mark Hamill!

New Justice League Action Clip - Let's Play A Game feat. Batman and Blue Beetle
Conroy will return once again to voice Batman in this December's "Justice League Action" series, which will debut in Cartoon Network.


I Am Vengeance! I Am The Night! I Am Batman!

All we can say is, Happy Birthday Batman!

Batman: The Animated Series turns 24 years old this week

On September 5th, 1992 - one of the most ICONIC characters in comic book history received what is arguably known as the "Definitive" TV Series adaptation of his world to date, as Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski developed "Batman: The Animated Series" - an animated feature that ran for 85 episodes and follows the exploits of the DC Comics character Batman as well as his world in Gotham City and beyond. After the success of Tim Burton's two Batman films, the series was developed by Timm and Radomski - using the Burton films as inspiration and developing a film noir style cartoon that continues to be a timeless classic any Batfan can watch and enjoy. The series was also known for bringing together a diverse cast of voice actors that brought the characters to life - with Kevin Conroy serving as the definitive "Voice of Batman" and Star Wars legend Mark Hamill becoming the certified voice of "The Joker" as well with his iconic insane laughter behind the maniacal portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime.


Batman: The Animated Series Opening
The music, composed by Shirley Walker and adapted from Danny Elfman's iconic score to the Burton Batman films, is just something to behold.

Following the success of BTAS, film features were made as well as several other DC Animated shows that were set in the same universe, leading to Superman: The Animated Series, the futuristic sequel Batman Beyond, and the union of DC's super heroes with Justice League. 24 years later, Batman: The Animated Series' influence is without a doubt something that any Batfan can be very proud of. Happy Anniversary, BTAS!