I recently picked up the streaming service DC Universe and saw The Batman was on it. I grew up with this series as a kid and decided to go back and watch it. Before I really get into my thoughts I will not compare it to Batman TAS.
First, I will try to look at this show as fairly as possible. One of the biggest complaints I have with it is character design. I really like some of the designs such as Robin, Batman, Clayface, Poison Ivy and Catwoman. They deviate enough to be unique but they're still obviously the same character. I think on the other hand you have characters like Joker, Riddler and Bane who just look strange. Riddler looks like Marilyn Manson, Joker is hard on the eyes and just doesn't measure up to other re-designs and Bane doesn't even look like bane and is just extremely ugly looking and once again just strange looking.
Next, the voice acting, story telling and art work all have their highs and their lows. I'm completely fine with the voice acting and deviating from the obvious choices for the actors. But I feel like some of the voices just don't feel like the character, my biggest complaint being the Joker at some points and Batman, especially during the episode where he gets poisoned and can't stop laughing, he sounds like 2 completely different people and its really high pitched. The story telling is suitable but at points becomes villain of the week and overarching stories are pushed to the back. The only consistent and important story line early on was Clayface and it was honestly the best the series I got in my opinion. Outside of that it ranges from weak villain of the week story telling to relying on the joker as the main villain and occasionally Catwoman or Penguin. Finally the artwork looks good and is different from the norm which I like. But its never super dark, gritty or insanely interesting to look at. But its a C+ overall.
Finally, I want to talk about the character archs. It feels like there's a lack of character archs or progression except for the main heroes and villains. The only characters to even get an overarching story or more added to their characters are the ones who show up every other episode, which is both a pro and con as mentioned above. I really enjoyed the story of Clayface and how he changes overtime. I enjoy how Batman changes and adapts in his actions and thoughts as more villains get introduced. The rest are either unimportant or weak (The Joker specifically.)
My conclusion is it's for what it is. You get a mix of everything early on but by season 2 its the joker show and fewer characters are introduced and it feels like fewer characters are recurring outside of the main cast. I still enjoyed it despite the flaws and would recommend giving it a chance and trying it out for yourselves. Finally, I did feel like I was sold some Batman action figures while watching.
First, I will try to look at this show as fairly as possible. One of the biggest complaints I have with it is character design. I really like some of the designs such as Robin, Batman, Clayface, Poison Ivy and Catwoman. They deviate enough to be unique but they're still obviously the same character. I think on the other hand you have characters like Joker, Riddler and Bane who just look strange. Riddler looks like Marilyn Manson, Joker is hard on the eyes and just doesn't measure up to other re-designs and Bane doesn't even look like bane and is just extremely ugly looking and once again just strange looking.
Next, the voice acting, story telling and art work all have their highs and their lows. I'm completely fine with the voice acting and deviating from the obvious choices for the actors. But I feel like some of the voices just don't feel like the character, my biggest complaint being the Joker at some points and Batman, especially during the episode where he gets poisoned and can't stop laughing, he sounds like 2 completely different people and its really high pitched. The story telling is suitable but at points becomes villain of the week and overarching stories are pushed to the back. The only consistent and important story line early on was Clayface and it was honestly the best the series I got in my opinion. Outside of that it ranges from weak villain of the week story telling to relying on the joker as the main villain and occasionally Catwoman or Penguin. Finally the artwork looks good and is different from the norm which I like. But its never super dark, gritty or insanely interesting to look at. But its a C+ overall.
Finally, I want to talk about the character archs. It feels like there's a lack of character archs or progression except for the main heroes and villains. The only characters to even get an overarching story or more added to their characters are the ones who show up every other episode, which is both a pro and con as mentioned above. I really enjoyed the story of Clayface and how he changes overtime. I enjoy how Batman changes and adapts in his actions and thoughts as more villains get introduced. The rest are either unimportant or weak (The Joker specifically.)
My conclusion is it's for what it is. You get a mix of everything early on but by season 2 its the joker show and fewer characters are introduced and it feels like fewer characters are recurring outside of the main cast. I still enjoyed it despite the flaws and would recommend giving it a chance and trying it out for yourselves. Finally, I did feel like I was sold some Batman action figures while watching.
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