The Batman is an animated television series which first aired in 2004, based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. Although the series borrows many elements from previous Batman storylines, it does not follow the continuity set by the comic books, nor that of the previous Batman: The Animated Series. The series made its world premiere on Kids WB on September 11, 2004. The series then came to Toonami on April 2, 2005.

In The Batman, Bruce Wayne (voiced by Rino Romano ) is in his late twenties and in his third year as the Batman, protector of Gotham City. Gotham, a metropolis where shadows run long and deep, beneath elevated train tracks, is where this younger Batman will confront each of his familiar foes for the first time, with the aid of the ever faithful and unflappable Alfred Pennyworth (Alastair Duncan ) - who guides both Bruce Wayne and Batman when needed.

This time around, Batman has his own operating system - a Teslavian phenomenon he has dubbed "the Batwave" - to power his headquarters, gadgets and vehicles.

In this series, Batman meets most of his major adversaries for the first time, many in versions that differ markedly from their comic-book counterparts. Season One features new interpretations of The Joker (Kevin Michael Richardson ), Catwoman (Gina Gershon), The Penguin (Tom Kenny), Mr. Freeze (Clancy Brown), and Clayface.

Season Two introduces other favorites with brand new origins, including a sinister version of The Riddler (Robert Englund), Prof. Hugo Strange, Ragdoll, Spellbinder, and Killer Croc (Ron Perlman).

Poison Ivy (Piera Coppola), a young Barbara Gordon (Batgirl), and her father, Commissioner Gordon, are set to be introduced in season three.

There is a spin-off comic book series, The Batman Strikes!, set in the world of The Batman.

Episodes

Season One

1. Bats in the Belfry
2. Call of the Cobblepot
3. Traction
4. The Cat and the Bat
5. The Man Who Would Be Bat
6. The Big Chill
7. The Big Heat
8. Q&A
9. The Big Dummy
10. Topsy Turvy
11. Bird of Prey
12. The Rubberface of Comedy (Pt. 1)
13. The Clayface of Tragedy (Pt. 2)

Season Two

1. The Cat, the Bat, and the Very Ugly
2. Riddled
3. JTV
4. Pets
5. Swamped
6. Meltdown
7. The Butler Did It
8. Fire and Ice
9. Ragdolls to Riches
10. Strange Minds
11. Grundy's Night
12. The Laughing Bat
13. Night and the City

Characters Yet To Be Seen

A number of Batman's more popular supporting characters have yet to be included (or even rumored) as of this writing (April 2005). Those include:

Robin, Two-Face, Harley Quinn, Gotham City Police Officers Harvey Bullock and Renee Montoya, the Mad Hatter, the Scarecrow, and Ra's al Ghul.

Awards

• The Batman received the Annie Award for Best New Animated Television Show 2004.

External links

• Legions of Gotham
• Batman: Yesterday, Today, & Beyond
  • The Batman