Just got the Batman: The Animated Series...where to start?
 

I just came into Batman: TAS set, and it's a lot to wade through. I was wondering if anyone could direct me to a few storylines to watch or stand-out episodes within the series.

Thanks for any info.

start from the beginning.
it is a good way to see just how the show progressed as the years went along.

i cant think of any eps to say take a look at but someone will eventually.

Not much continuity in that series. For the most part, you can watch them out of order and not really miss anything.

Ditto. Go from start to finish. There aren't that many sub-storylines that you can jump from episode to episode to follow. Most are stand-alone eps with, at most, fleeting glimpses of past or future storylines.

My opinion: watch Season 1 through the episode "The Worry Men" in Season 2. Then watch the feature film "Mask of the Phantasm," as it was the next to be released. It doesn't have an overarching storyline that ties directly into any specific episodes, but is a great time to watch it in the timeline of the story.

See this site for episode listing: http://dcanimated.wikia.com/wiki/BTAS#Season_1 ordered by main villain, if you want to hit all of the Joker episodes, for instance. That also may be fun. :up:

Yep, from beginning to end is the way to watch it.

Once you're done with that...do yourself a favor and pick up Justice League.

+1 on Justice League.
Best super hero animated series EVER.

Superman: TAS ties directly into Justice League more than Batman:TAS because of the Darkseid plots. Watch Batman - Superman - Justice League in that order.

For some JL episodes, you'd kinda need some background on Batman Beyond and maybe Static Shock. Not entirely necessary, but it helps.

Well, that's true...but while Supes is very good I rank his show a notch below Bats & JL...well, listen to this man...watch Supes in between. You'll have all the background info as stuff developes.

I asked this following question in a Batman: TAS thread on the dvdtalk forum and got no response. Anyone here?

Thanks.

I like both shows fairly equal, but Batman had the longer run. I was thinking about fujishig's suggestion of SS and BBeyond before I posted earlier as well. That is hit or miss in my opinion. The Justice League crossover episodes actually got me interested in seeing these two shows.

Superman:TAS should be watched before Justice League simpy for the 3 part World's Finest episodes with Batman/Superman and the introduction to Darkseid into the DCAU.

The first two season or so of Justice League were mainly comprised of 2&3 parters and whatnot so it doesn't surprise me WB released some of the season episodes on dvd individually. The Batman/Superman movie and JL dvds are all contained in the season sets.

Here is what you need from the Batman/Superman universe.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (Uncut Version!)

Superman:Braniac Attacks (This is an oddity as the director confirmed it isn't based in the same DCAU (DC animated universe) continuity, yet they decided to keep most of the character designs and voices, save a few, exactly the same.) It's a toss up if you want to watch it or not but I felt it was similiar enough to the series. Many fans hate this film though.

The upcoming Superman: Doomsday, Teen Titans, and Justice League animated films are also not part of the same DCAU continuity either.

Are you saying you have the entire series or just the 1st set of 4 discs? Like others have said, Batman doesn't have the ongoing storylines like Superman or Justice League so you can skip around a lot without much trouble.

It's been a long time since I've watched any Batman, but looking over the titles of the 4 discs in the 1st set, I'd recommend:

Heart Of Ice
Beware The Grey Ghost
On Leather Wings

...as tops, with:

Pretty Poison
P.O.V.
Two-Face
Clock King
Feat Of Clay

...not far behind.

I can't remember which Joker stories are best, but they're worth sampling if only for Mark Hamill's performance.

The Underdwellers, I've Got Batman In My Basement, & See No Evil could be skipped.

If you're talking about the entire series, well, that would be a different answer...

Yeah, sorry. I'm talking about the entire series. Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions.

Heart of Ice is an awesome episode. Christmas with the Joker and The Gray Ghost are pretty good as well.

Definitely watch The Gray Ghost. Adam West is great in his guest turn.

You should also watch Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. It sort of ties into TAS and I think is one of the best animated Batman movies. Make sure you get the unrated version.

My favorites are the Neal Adams/Denny O'Neil and Frank Miller adaptations.

return of the joker is part of the batman beyond series.
the batman beyond series is essentially a future version That includes the batman from the TAS.

I enjoyed a lot of the Batman episodes when it moved to WB Kids, some of my favorites from the move are:

"Over the Edge"
"Old Wounds"
"Legends of the Dark Knight"
"Mad Love"

I went thru Amazon and culled together a quick list of original Batman animated movies (new and old) to complete the collection if you get all the season sets.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzero
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
Batman Vs. Dracula
Batman Beyond - Return of the Joker (Uncut Version)
Scooby-Doo Meets Batman (these episodes are also on the Scooby-Doo movies boxset)

Other original DC animated series that aren't normal episodes of the TV series:
Superman - Doomsday
Superman: Brainiac Attacks
Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo

Any others I am overlooking?

I was going to make a thread but I will if no one sees this and answers me. I was wondering where does the Batman Beyond Return of the Joker movie fall into the series?

I just finished all 4 TAS sets and finsihed the batman movies. But now I got all the Beyonds and I wonder when I should watch the movie... Any help is appreciated.

well more specific.

i would watch it anytime during the first season.

Justice League: New Frontier

of course not out until early next year

The World's Finest site is a great place to get just about any info you need on all of the DC animated shows. There are epsiode guides, reviews, interviews and other goodies. Just click on the links at the top of the page to find info on the individual shows.

batman the animated series was amazing. great pick up! enjoy.