1992’s greatest animated TV shows of all time. It introduced a new generation of children to the caped crusader, drawing in an audience with its dark tones and complex characters.
Writer Paul Dini, and artist Bruce Timm, modernized Batman’s allies and rogues gallery with new characterizations and motivations. One-off villains were made into full-fledged antagonists, and Batman’s companions were brought into the mainstream. Some characters were even made up just for the show and became iconic. Here are the top ten Batman: The Animated Series characters based on likability.
Renee Montoya
One of the Gotham City police officers that are always first to respond is Renee Montoya. In the episode, P.O.V. Montoya attempts to apprehend a dangerous drug lord on her own, but the criminals escape. Detective Bullock is quick to blame Batman for a botched sting, but Montoya rushes to his defense. Even after being suspended, she tracks down the drug lord on her own and clears everyone's names.
What makes Montoya so likable is her dedication to justice, even in a city filled with super-powered criminals. She can be seen whenever the GD responds to a crime, like when took down Clayface. Without abilities, gadgets, or even experience, Montoya shows us that regular people can make a difference.
Jim Gordon
James Gordon, the commissioner of the GD, is one of Batman’s oldest allies in his war against crime. Always the good cop, Gordon represents the best that the Gotham Police has to offer. Even without any special training, or gadgets, Gordon will stand shoulder to should with The Dark Knight against some of his toughest foes.
Gordon’s most riveting characteristic is his reluctant friendship with Batman. As a police officer, Gordon isn’t supposed to approve of vigilantes, but he can’t argue with Batman’s results. Fans love the back and forth the Commissioner and the vigilante have whenever they discuss a case. Almost as much as they love how Batman always leaves while Jim's back is turned.
Catwoman
other super-villains. She typically doesn’t try to hurt any innocent people, and at times she can even be downright heroic. It is never clear whose side she is working for. Is she actually fighting for animal rights, or trying to steal from millionaires? Is she going straight, or is she planning to rob a museum?
What makes Catwoman so likable is her relationship with Batman. While the two are obviously infatuated with each other, they could never be together due to the sides of the law which they stand on. Multiple times, Batman would chase Selena across Gotham city only to end up in her arms, and then be thrown off a rooftop.
Two-Face
Harvey Dent started the series as one of Bruce Wayne’s closest friends. Until the hopeful D.A. was scarred in a chemical explosion. Now as the gangster, Two-Face, Harvey has become one of Batman’s greatest adversaries.
Why fans are so enamored with the story of Harvey Dent is that he doesn’t want to be a criminal, his body was hijacked by his alternate personality. His evil side even orchestrated a kidnapping of himself to prevent him from receiving surgery that would reverse his scarring. Every time Batman faces Dent, he has to come to with the fact that he's fighting one of his best friends.
Batgirl
At the start of the series, Barbara Gordon was just Commissioner Gordon’s daughter. That is, until the episode Shadow of the Bat where Barbara creates the identity of Batgirl.
Unlike Batman or Robin, Batgirl had to work her way up before Batman saw her as an ally. Fans love her dedication combined with her innocence. Using only her gymnastics training and gear that she made herself, Batgirl fought crime in Gotham on her own and even beat Catwoman in a fight. Eventually, she earned the trust of Batman and was let in on the team.
Alfred Pennyworth
Not just the loyal Butler, Alfred Pennyworth has acted as Bruce Wayne’s father figure since the death of his parents. Being there since day one, Alfred does everything he can to Batman on his mission. Whether it be stitching up his wounds, providing words of wisdom, or even flying the Batwing.
What fans like so much about the butler is his caring nature. After Bruce takes in a young Dick Grayson, Alfred is the one to suggest that his life as Batman takes a back seat while Bruce Wayne provides Dick with a father.
Robin/Nightwing
You can’t have Batman without Robin. After the murder of his parents, Bruce Wayne took young Dick Grayson in and trained him to be his sidekick. After coming into his own, Grayson left Batman and took on the name Nightwing.
In a way, Dick Grayson represents all of us. Robin was created as a character to relate to younger fans. He provided a bright contrast to Batman's dark demeanor. As he became older, he adopted his own opinions and left his father-figure to become his own individual person. Something many maturing fans can relate to.
Mr. Freeze
In the comics, Mr. Freeze was just another campy villain who didn’t have much in the way of an origin story. That was, until the Batman: TAS episode Heart of Ice. Victor Fries had his wife cryogenically frozen while he finds a cure for her terminal illness. When his employer caused an accident, Fries biology was changed. Now, Mr. Freeze will do anything to cure his wife, and get revenge.
Mr. Freeze's tragedy is what makes him a fan-favorite. He is one of Batman's few sane villains, as the only reason he's committing crimes is to save someone he loves. It breaks one's heart to see his constant pain in every episode he appears in. Cursed with immortality, Freeze said, "I'd trade a thousand of my frozen years for your worse day."
Batman
Batman: The Animated Series revolutionized the legendary hero for years to come. This version of Batman was not as lighthearted or campy as the one Adam West played, or as brutal and scary as the one Frank Miller wrote. This Batman was just dark enough to make him stand out from other cartoon heroes but kind enough to still be relatable.
The most memorable aspect of this Batman is Kevin Conroy’s performance. His voice has become so iconic, that Batman fans to this day would tell him that it's his voice they hear when they read the comics. Batman's voice and characterization made this one of the most iconic versions of the hero to exist.
Harley Quinn
Starting as television show, and more.
What truly makes her compelling, is the sympathy the fans feel for her due to her sick fascination with The Joker. Believing that they are deeply in love, she would do anything he asks. Even if it means ignoring the verbal and physical abuse she receives from him regularly. Harley is so adorable and funny, it breaks one's heart to see her treated this way. The best Batman villains are the ones we feel bad for, and Harley Quinn takes the cake.