The Box

Even at its start, the animated version of Batman was something of a revelation, aesthetically speaking. Harkening back to a retro-forties design, the show at once appeared to be old and wonderfully futuristic. And unlike most cartoons, even those of the modern day, the show was incredibly dark, taking place during the night, dark colors drawn upon even darker colors. In this way, it was a more truthful telling of the original comics than the campy Adam West version ever was, and the Burton directed movie, for that matter.

The animated series told simply stories, in a simple way, but always really well. With sparse dialogue and great villains, the show could always be counted on to deliver some enjoyable plot and beautiful animation. Batman was even able to pull off some melodramatic character motivations and background in a way that never seemed cheesy, and was always true to an emotional core. It was also notable because there were not always happy resolutions to every problem - the bad guy got away, Batman mourned the death of his parents and nearly everyone had some kind of malady or tragic circumstance in their past.

Every episode is definitely a standalone entity (a mini-film, as they call them in the extras), but there are common threads and characters that return to torture Batman and the wonder-boy Robin. Quite simply, the storylines, art and abstract animation style are intoxicating. They put you in a fugue of remembrance, memories of a time that you never lived through. Retro styled buildings, blimps and evil doers wearing fedoras.

TV Grade: A+

Video: 3 out of 5
It was shot in film, in pre-digital days, so there's some dirt on some of the frames. Not that you'd notice anyway, since it's so dark. In a way, this less than stellar quality in a few of the earlier episodes, just makes the timeless feel of the movie that much more powerful.
Full Screen - 1.33:1

Audio: 3 out of 5
The music is what really stands out in these episodes, from a sound perspective. It's a beautiful live orchestra that highlights and enhances every aspect of the show. Otherwise, as it's the annoying blips and blops of cartoon music and sound that we've been inundated with.
Stereo (English 2.0)

Clayface vs. The Man-Bat

Extras: 3 out of 5
The extras definitely left me wanting more, but they're fairly good. Most notable is the 17 minute making-of, which interviews all the creators and some of the voice actors who created such an amazing show. It really geeks out, and makes you realize how groundbreaking Batman turned out to be. Same goes for the commentaries on the disc. Like The Simpson's commentaries, they're fairly fun, with the participants pointing out animation errors. Unlike the Simpson's, there's a lot of seriousness too. Other than that, just a few trailers and a useless "tour of the Batcave."

Overall: 4.5 out of 5
I'm a bit of a nerd, so you have to take my recommendation (of this at least), but Batman is the kind of cartoon that I would stay up watching in the early hours of the morning. I really wasn't kidding when I say it's intoxicating. Like the Coen Brothers, it's a singular strange experience that will have you reeling and always entertained.

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