Sub_Level
wants to fuck an Asian grill.
This list only includes the DCAU continuity. So no Teen Titans, Young Justice, or DC Animated Movies (like Batman Ninja, Flashpoint, Judas Contract) as awesome as they are.
#1 Batman The Animated Series
Incredible storytelling, artistic direction, and mood. This version of Batman is neither super gritty like Frank Miller nor super "realistic" like Christopher Nolan. Instead you get something closer to Tim Burton's whimsical yet serious take but in animated form and with a fuckton of episodes. Superhero conflicts are fun to watch, but nothing is as exciting as watching a man, with all his limitations and flaws, go up against maniacs and psychos. Batman's power is his brain, not energy beams or super strength.
Verdict: 5 out of 5. A Must-Watch. Only a small handful of bad episodes. Kids and adults alike will love it.
Best Villain: Mr. Freeze. Tragic figure with top tier aesthetics. Pure bitter rage in its most (well, least) fiery form.
#2 Justice League: Unlimited
Who watches the Watchmen? Forget Zack Snyder's ridiculous adaptation of the graphic novel that asks how superheroes would be treated by society. THIS is the televised work that encapsulates Alan Moore's ideas best. It also builds directly off Justice League perfectly. When you multiply the original roster by five times you'd expect for character development and an overarching plot to go down the drain. This is especially when you consider that the two-episode format is done away with to accommodate single episode stories instead. So by all accounts this should be a dumbed down eclectic sequel to Justice League, right? Not so. JLU has all the drama, character development, twists you enjoyed in Justice League with stakes that are even higher and action that is even more intense.
Verdict: 5 out of 5. A must-watch. Season 2 has 3 or 4 lame episodes. Kids may get bored by some of the more dialogue-heavy episodes.
Best Villain: Lex Luthor. Think Bruce Wayne if he was evil. Incredibly smart and manipulative. And he's rich.
#3 Justice League
The most famous Superman cartoon episode was the one where he meets Batman. So its no surprise that they made a show adding even more cross-hero antics. The format is different from the other shows on this list since almost every episode is a 2 parter. This leads to some more complex plots than what you get in Superman/Batman. More isn't always better but in this case the tradeoff for concise is epic conflicts. After sitting through Batman and Superman, Justice League is such a great payoff.
Verdict: 4 out of 5. Highly recommended. Goes without saying that kids love it since for many adults this show was part of their childhood.
Best Villain: I don't wanna spoil the plot twist heh. And besides that, this is a case in fiction where the heroes are more charismatic than any of the villains.
#4 Superman The Animated Series
If Batman shows us what a man can do against villainy, Superman The Animated Series show us what a god can do. Despite being portrayed as invincible, this depiction of Clark Kent is incredibly vulnerable. Kryptonite, red sun, magic, lead walls, and power drain are all a part of daily life for the man of steel and how you kill Superman. The first season is fairly boring and the show just doesn't hold a candle to his Gotham City counterpart. However as the show goes on you can tell the writers get a handle on how to make Superman exciting. You really start to see Superman as a symbol of hope and less as a dork in tight gay underwear. This show also serves as a great segway into Justice League since it introduces Green Lanterns, The Flash, Dr. Fate, and more Justice League staples.
Verdict: 3 out of 5. Recommended. Force yourself past the first season and you'll be well rewarded.
Best Villain: Darkseid. He is voiced by Michael Ironside. 'Nuff said.
#5 Batman Beyond
Imagine all of the strengths of Batman The Animated Series set in the world of Blade Runner. Dark alleyways, violent gangs, mega corporations, genetic and cybernetic modification. A dark futuristic Gotham City with new original villains. Well this show succeeds in making the transition....for the first season. After that the quality falls off a cliff and you're left with a merely passable saturday morning kid's cartoon. A saturday morning kid's cartoon with high school drama.
Verdict: 3 out of 5. First season is a must watch. The movie Return of the Joker is also ok. Season 2 has some good episodes. Season 3 sucks except for the Justice League episode.
Best Villain: Inque. Sort of a Clayface type enemy. But much more charming.
#6 The New Batman Adventures AKA Batman Season 3
This cartoon is shit.
Verdict: 2 out of 5. You're looking at 3 or 4 good episodes in the entire season. Avoid.
Best Villain: Clayface. He is voiced by Ron Perlman and stars in 2 of those 3 or 4 good episodes I mentioned.
#1 Batman The Animated Series
Incredible storytelling, artistic direction, and mood. This version of Batman is neither super gritty like Frank Miller nor super "realistic" like Christopher Nolan. Instead you get something closer to Tim Burton's whimsical yet serious take but in animated form and with a fuckton of episodes. Superhero conflicts are fun to watch, but nothing is as exciting as watching a man, with all his limitations and flaws, go up against maniacs and psychos. Batman's power is his brain, not energy beams or super strength.
Verdict: 5 out of 5. A Must-Watch. Only a small handful of bad episodes. Kids and adults alike will love it.
Best Villain: Mr. Freeze. Tragic figure with top tier aesthetics. Pure bitter rage in its most (well, least) fiery form.
#2 Justice League: Unlimited
Who watches the Watchmen? Forget Zack Snyder's ridiculous adaptation of the graphic novel that asks how superheroes would be treated by society. THIS is the televised work that encapsulates Alan Moore's ideas best. It also builds directly off Justice League perfectly. When you multiply the original roster by five times you'd expect for character development and an overarching plot to go down the drain. This is especially when you consider that the two-episode format is done away with to accommodate single episode stories instead. So by all accounts this should be a dumbed down eclectic sequel to Justice League, right? Not so. JLU has all the drama, character development, twists you enjoyed in Justice League with stakes that are even higher and action that is even more intense.
Verdict: 5 out of 5. A must-watch. Season 2 has 3 or 4 lame episodes. Kids may get bored by some of the more dialogue-heavy episodes.
Best Villain: Lex Luthor. Think Bruce Wayne if he was evil. Incredibly smart and manipulative. And he's rich.
#3 Justice League
The most famous Superman cartoon episode was the one where he meets Batman. So its no surprise that they made a show adding even more cross-hero antics. The format is different from the other shows on this list since almost every episode is a 2 parter. This leads to some more complex plots than what you get in Superman/Batman. More isn't always better but in this case the tradeoff for concise is epic conflicts. After sitting through Batman and Superman, Justice League is such a great payoff.
Verdict: 4 out of 5. Highly recommended. Goes without saying that kids love it since for many adults this show was part of their childhood.
Best Villain: I don't wanna spoil the plot twist heh. And besides that, this is a case in fiction where the heroes are more charismatic than any of the villains.
#4 Superman The Animated Series
If Batman shows us what a man can do against villainy, Superman The Animated Series show us what a god can do. Despite being portrayed as invincible, this depiction of Clark Kent is incredibly vulnerable. Kryptonite, red sun, magic, lead walls, and power drain are all a part of daily life for the man of steel and how you kill Superman. The first season is fairly boring and the show just doesn't hold a candle to his Gotham City counterpart. However as the show goes on you can tell the writers get a handle on how to make Superman exciting. You really start to see Superman as a symbol of hope and less as a dork in tight gay underwear. This show also serves as a great segway into Justice League since it introduces Green Lanterns, The Flash, Dr. Fate, and more Justice League staples.
Verdict: 3 out of 5. Recommended. Force yourself past the first season and you'll be well rewarded.
Best Villain: Darkseid. He is voiced by Michael Ironside. 'Nuff said.
#5 Batman Beyond
Imagine all of the strengths of Batman The Animated Series set in the world of Blade Runner. Dark alleyways, violent gangs, mega corporations, genetic and cybernetic modification. A dark futuristic Gotham City with new original villains. Well this show succeeds in making the transition....for the first season. After that the quality falls off a cliff and you're left with a merely passable saturday morning kid's cartoon. A saturday morning kid's cartoon with high school drama.
Verdict: 3 out of 5. First season is a must watch. The movie Return of the Joker is also ok. Season 2 has some good episodes. Season 3 sucks except for the Justice League episode.
Best Villain: Inque. Sort of a Clayface type enemy. But much more charming.
#6 The New Batman Adventures AKA Batman Season 3
This cartoon is shit.
Verdict: 2 out of 5. You're looking at 3 or 4 good episodes in the entire season. Avoid.
Best Villain: Clayface. He is voiced by Ron Perlman and stars in 2 of those 3 or 4 good episodes I mentioned.
