The Batman Adventures
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The 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.
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[edit] Overview
The Batman Adventures was created to tie-in with the then new Batman: The Animated Series. And as the animated series changed with each successive re-branding and relaunch over the years, so too did The Batman Adventures.
The success of Batman Adventures has also 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 (vol. 1, 1992 - 1995)
Based on Batman: The Animated Series, the first series ran for 36 issues, 2 annuals and 2 specials (Mad Love and Holiday Special).
[edit] The Batman and Robin Adventures (1995 - 1997)
Following the re-branding of the animated series as The Adventures of Batman & Robin, the comic was relaunched. It ran for 25 issues and 2 annuals.
[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 joins an expedition to find a group of african monks who have lost an artifact, agreeing to a trade. He will recover the artifact in exchange for their secret of flight (the winged costume). He succeeds in gaining the artifact back from Ra's al Ghul. Succeeding, he visits Batman and reveals his new identity of Nightwing to him, Alfred, Batgirl, and Robin.
[edit] Batman: Gotham Adventures (1998 - 2003)
Based on The New Batman Adventures, it ran for 60 issues.
[edit] Batman Adventures (vol. 2, 2003 - 2004)
In 2003, DC comics launched Batman Adventures shortly after the cancellation of Batman: Gotham Adventures. The first issue was made available through the regular purchases and Free Comic Book Day May 3, 2003. It ran for 17 issues; it was canceled to make way for The Batman Strikes!, a new title based on the new, unrelated, animated series The Batman.
Issue #15 written by Jason Hall bridges the gap between Mr. Freeze's appearances in Batman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond. #17 ends the series with Batman confronting Joe Chill, though he had no knowledge of Chill's actions.
[edit] Additional Characters
While there were many characters who never appeared in Batman The Animated Series, the comics from The Batman Adventures to Batman Adventures would occasionally introduce and features characters who never made it to the screen.
[edit] Heroes/Others
- Alec Holland
- Batman Adventures #16
- Julie Madison
- Batman Adventures #1-2 and 5
- Phantom Stranger
- Batman Gotham Adventures #33
- Eel O'Brian (Though as part of The Black Mask's gang, prior to his hero career)
- Batman Adventures #6
[edit] Villains
- Anarky
- The Batman Adventures #31
- Black Mask
- Batman Adventures #5-8
- Black Spider
- Batman Adventures #5-8
- Bronze Tiger
- Batman Adventures #5-8
- Cavalier
- Batman Adventures #1
- Joe Chill (His only full appearance outside the various flashbacks)
- Batman Adventures #17
- Red Hood
- Batman Adventures #8
- Sportsmaster
- Batman Adventures #5-8
[edit] Reprints
| Title | Material collected |
|---|---|
| The Batman Adventures | #1-6 |
| Batman The Dark Knight Adventures | #7-12 |
| The Batman Adventures: The Lost Years | #1-5 |
| Batman Gotham Adventures | #1-6 |
| The Batman Adventures: Dangerous Dames and Demons | The Batman Adventures Annual #1-2 The Batman Adventures: Mad Love Adventures of the DC Universe #3 (Back up story) |
| Batman: Harley & Ivy | Batman Gotham Knights #14 Harley & Ivy: Love On The Lam Batman: Harley & Ivy #1-3 |
| Batman Adventures (digest-sized) | |
| Volume 1: Rogues Gallery | Batman Gotham Adventures #50 Batman Adventures #1-4 |
| Volume 2: Shadows and Masks | Batman Adventures #5-9 |
[edit] External links
- at World's Finest:
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