The Batman Adventures
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Batman Adventures is a DC comic book series featuring Batman. It is different from other Batman titles in that it is set in the continuity (and style) of Batman: The Animated Series as opposed to the regular DC Universe.
It has undergone a number of title and format changes (with the issue numbers restarting each time) to match the various title and format changes of the television series:
| Title | No. of issues | Started | Ended | Corresponding TV title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Batman Adventures | 36 | 1992 | 1995 | Batman: The Animated Series |
| The Batman and Robin Adventures | 25 | 1995 | 1997 | The Adventures of Batman & Robin |
| Batman: Gotham Adventures | 60 | 1998 | 2003 | The New Batman Adventures |
| Batman Adventures | 17 | 2003 | 2004 | Justice League |
In 2004, despite a good response to the series' new direction under writer Ty Templeton, Batman Adventures was cancelled to make way for The Batman Strikes!, a new title based on the new, unrelated, animated series The Batman.
The success of Batman Adventures has led to a set of "Adventures" titles mirroring the animated series that followed Batman: The Animated Series, including Superman Adventures (based on Superman: The Animated Series) and Justice League Adventures (based on Justice League).
[edit] The Batman Adventures: The Lost Years
Shortly after The New Batman Adventures began airing on Kids WB!, DC Comics published a five issue miniseries titled The Batman Adventures: The Lost Years. This series bridged the gap between the end of Batman: The Animated Series and the start of the new show. The plot is as follows:
Book One: Robin (Dick Grayson) voices his disapproval regarding Batman's tolerance of the crimefighting activities of the relatively untrained Batgirl and takes it upon himself to stop her. Subsequently, Batman deduces that Batgirl is actually Barbara Gordon while watching her play tennis against Dick -- he realizes that she moves just like Batgirl. Batman decides to take Batgirl under his wing and give her the training she needs. Robin is upset by this decision and argues with Batman, but fails to change his mind.
Book Two: Bruce and Dick continue their argument up through Dick's College graduation ceremony. Dick decides to leave Gotham City, despite the protests of Alfred and Barbara.
Book Three: Dick discovers an ancient African tribe and learns combat techniques from them, finally taking the first steps out of Batman's shadow. Inspiration comes and Dick develops a new persona for himself: Nightwing.
Book Four: Batman gets darker and angrier and more driven because of Dick's departure -- his new partner Batgirl is concerned over his change in personality. One night, while on the trail of Two-Face, Batman saves young Tim Drake, son of petty criminal "Shifty" Drake. Shifty was murdered by Two-Face and Tim swore revenge. Batman trained Tim into Robin and gave him another shot at life. Two-Face was captured and Batman took in Tim as his second ward.
Book Five: Dick returns to Gotham in his new Nightwing guise. Batgirl is baffled by his newfound arrogance and brooding attitude. Nightwing later meets the new Robin and his heart is broken by being so easily replaceable. Nightwing then reveals that he intends to steal an ancient artifact that belongs to the tribe that had taught him his new skills. Batman stops Nightwing and eventually gets him to agree to rejoin the team alongside the fully-trained Batgirl and the new Robin.
[edit] External links
- at World's Finest:
| The Bruce Timm DC animated universe | |
|---|---|
| Television series: | Batman: The Animated Series | Superman: The Animated Series | The New Batman Adventures | The New Batman/Superman Adventures | Batman Beyond | Static Shock | The Zeta Project | Justice League | Justice League Unlimited |
| Feature-length films: | Batman: Mask of the Phantasm | Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero | Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker | Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman |
| Comic books: | Batman Adventures | Superman Adventures | Justice League Adventures | Batman Beyond | Gotham Girls |
| Web cartoons: | Gotham Girls |
| Video Games: | DCAU Video Games |
