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''The Batman'' is an American Animated Television Series produced by Warner Bros. based on the DC Comics Superhero Batman . OVERVIEW Although the series borrows many elements from previous Batman storylines, it does not follow the continuity set by the '' or its spin-offs. Also, the animation style bears a strong resemblance to the pseudo- Anime style of '' Jackie Chan Adventures '', with the designs of many characters, like The Joker , being very different from those of their comic counterparts. This has predictably led to critical comparisons with the acclaimed aforementioned series, many of which criticize the animation style and view the different interpretations of certain characters (like, again, the Joker) as highly unusual. There is also controversy within the fandom that exists for the show, some embracing the recent changes in the theme song and Batman now bringing on the time tested "Bat Family" route, whilst others feel that the first two seasons were a shaky, but gradually evolving throwback to the Year One days of the character, a vigilante wanted in equal measure by the Gotham PD, and that they also preferred him solo, which the recent introduction of Batgirl has now almost completely evaporated. It could be said that the Batman of ''The Batman'' is equivalent to Marvel's " Ultimate " characters. In other words, the basis of the character and some back story are similar to the original, but the villains and some situations are different. The series made its world premiere on Kids WB in United States on September 11 2004 . First-run episodes are broadcast during Kids WB's Saturday Morning lineup. Repeats of the show have aired on Toonami in/or Cartoon Network in worldwide. A spin-off comic book series, '' The Batman Strikes! '', is set in the world of ''The Batman''. SYNOPSIS In the first season of ''The Batman'', Bruce Wayne (voiced by Rino Romano ) is 26 and in his third year as the Batman, protector of Gotham City . A younger Batman confronts familiar foes for the first time, with the aid of Alfred Pennyworth ( Alastair Duncan ), who guides both Bruce Wayne and Batman when needed. In this series, Batman meets most of his major adversaries for the first time, many with character designs that differ markedly from their comic-book counterparts. Season One features new interpretations of Rupert Thorne ( Victor Brandt ), The Joker ( Kevin Michael Richardson ), Catwoman ( Gina Gershon ), The Penguin ( Tom Kenny ), Mr. Freeze ( Clancy Brown ), Clayface ( Steve Harris ), Firefly ( Jason Marsden ), The Ventriloquist And Scarface ( Dan Castellaneta ), Man-Bat ( Peter MacNicol ), Cluemaster ( Glenn Shadix ), and Bane ( Joaquim De Almeida ). The first season also introduces two new characters, Detectives Ethan Bennett ( Steve Harris ) and Ellen Yin ( Ming-Na ), charged with capturing the vigilante Batman. At the end of season 1, Ethan Bennett, also an old friend of Bruce Wayne is turned into Clayface . Adam West, who played Batman in the live action a series in the 60’s, provides the voice for Gotham’s Mayor. He is also the voice for Mayor West on Family guy, who is a paranoid, psychotic, and stereotypical version of himself. Season 2 introduced other fan favorites with brand new origins, including a sinister version of The Riddler ( Robert Englund ), Professor Hugo Strange ( Frank Gorshin ), Ragdoll ( Jeff Bennett ), Spellbinder ( Michael Massee ) , Killer Croc ( Ron Perlman ), and Solomon Grundy ( Kevin Grevioux ). Season 3 introduced more new villains to the series, such as Poison Ivy ( Piera Coppola ), Cosmo Krank/ Toymaker ( Patton Oswalt ), D.A.V.E, Gearhead ( Will Friedle ), Maxie Zeus ( Phil LaMarr ), Prank ( Michael Reisz ), and Temblor ( Jim Cummings ). The season also features Barbara Gordon , who becomes Batman's Partner Batgirl ( Danielle Judovits ), and gives more focus to her father Commissioner Gordon ( Mitch Pileggi ), first introduced in Season Two's "Night and the City". Season 4 will introduce Batman's sidekick, Robin . New villains being introduced will be Black Mask , Harley Quinn , Killer Moth , Everywhere Man, and a new Clayface. Batgirl will be making "occasional apperances" during this season, indicating she will be phased out as a regular now that Robin is free for the writers to use. Paul Dini , long time Batman and WB animation writer, will be writing the Harley Quinn origin story for this series EPISODE LIST See Also: List of The Batman episodes DVD RELEASES
VILLAINS See The Batman (television) Villains CREW
TRIVIA Ellen Yin was possibly named after Ellen Yindel, who was Jim Gordon's successor in ''''. The characters also share similarities in regards to their views on The Batman. In DKR, Yindel had a strict no Batman policy just as Ellen Yin did in Season 1. However an encounter with Batman made them both question their views and eventually became Batman's ally. Ellen Yin also bears an uncanny resemblance -- design-wise -- to another animated character named Elisa Maza who appears in the Disney animated series, '' Gargoyles .'' Both characters wear jeans, a black T-shirt and a red outerwear item (for Elisa, its a leather jacket, for Ellen it's an overshirt). There is some speculation from fans of that series that Ellen Yin's design was in some part prompted or influenced by Greg Weisman ; a writer who has produced scripts for several of The Batman's episodes (Greg was the creator of the Gargoyles series). AWARDS ''The Batman'' received the Annie Award for Best New Animated Television Show 2004. In 2006, ''The Batman'' won two Daytime Emmy awards. One for Outstanding Achievement In Sound Editing and another for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program. That second one recognizes the directors and producers. SEE ALSO
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