Batman: The Animated Series (1992)

Batman: The Animated Series started strong and only improved. By season two, Bruce Timm and Paul Dini had found a confidence that made the show feel inevitable. Almost Got 'Im is one of the finest episodes in animated television history.

More people should watch Batman: The Animated Series. It never got the cultural attention it deserved while it was airing. Paul Dini's empathetic villain writing is genuinely brilliant and the the tragedy behind the villains exploration is more sophisticated than most prestige live-action drama.

Batman: The Animated Series pushed the boundaries of what animated storytelling could do. The exploration of Gotham as a noir city was groundbreaking for its medium. I still think about Batman's arc regularly.

Batman: The Animated Series manages to be both laugh-out-loud funny and genuinely insightful. Kevin Conroy as the definitive Batman gives the show a comedic engine that never gets old. Bruce Timm and Paul Dini understood that smart humour and broad comedy can coexist.

Batman: The Animated Series works on two levels: kids get the surface entertainment and adults get the subtext. Bruce Timm and Paul Dini's writing treats its audience with respect. The episode Almost Got 'Im is as good as any live-action drama.

Batman: The Animated Series has a few weak episodes scattered through its run but the high points more than compensate. Harley Quinn's storyline is beautifully handled. Bruce Timm and Paul Dini had a rare clarity of vision for the whole series.

Batman: The Animated Series is one of those shows you can't believe was made for children. The themes of justice vs revenge are handled with more depth than most adult dramas. Bruce Timm and Paul Dini's vision is unmistakable.

Batman: The Animated Series has a visual identity so distinctive that you can recognise it from a single frame. Bruce Timm and Paul Dini worked with artists who understood that style should reflect substance. The look of the show embodies the tragedy behind the villains.

Batman: The Animated Series shows its age in places but the core of what made it special remains. Kevin Conroy as the definitive Batman is still funny and Mr. Freeze is still endearing. Some references land flat now but the heart is intact.

Ask anyone to name the best animated shows ever made and Batman: The Animated Series will be on every list. The Joker is one of animation's great characters. The Gotham as a noir city theme gives it lasting relevance.