The Batman Adventures

"The Batman Adventures" is a DC comic book series featuring Batman. It is different from other "Batman" titles in that it is set in the continuity (and style) of "" as opposed to the regular DC Universe.

Overview

"The Batman Adventures" was created to tie-in with the then new "". And as the animated series changed with each successive re-branding and relaunch over the years, so too did "The Batman Adventures."

The success of "Batman Adventures" has also led to a set of "Adventures" titles mirroring the animated series that followed "Batman: The Animated Series", including "Superman Adventures" (based on "") and "Justice League Adventures" (based on "Justice League").

The Batman Adventures (vol. 1, 1992 - 1995)

Based on "", the first series ran for 36 issues, 2 annuals and 2 specials ("Mad Love" and "Holiday Special", which were both adapted into episodes for "The New Batman Adventures"). The first Annual introduces Roxy Rocket who would later appear in "The New Batman Adventures" episodes "The Ultimate Thrill" and "Knight Time".

The Batman and Robin Adventures (1995 - 1997)

Following the re-branding of the animated series as "The Adventures of Batman & Robin," the comic was relaunched. It ran for 25 issues and 2 annuals.

The Batman Adventures: The Lost Years

Shortly after "The New Batman Adventures" began airing on Kids WB!, DC Comics published a five issue miniseries titled "The Batman Adventures: The Lost Years". This series bridged the gap between the end of "Batman: The Animated Series" and the start of the new show. The plot is as follows:

Book One: Robin (Dick Grayson) voices his disapproval regarding Batman's tolerance of the crimefighting activities of the relatively untrained Batgirl and takes it upon himself to stop her. Subsequently, Batman deduces that Batgirl is actually Barbara Gordon while watching her play tennis against Dick -- he realizes that she moves just like Batgirl. Batman decides to take Batgirl under his wing and give her the training she needs. Robin is upset by this decision and argues with Batman, but fails to change his mind.

Book Two: Bruce and Dick continue their argument up through Dick's College graduation ceremony. Dick decides to leave Gotham City, despite the protests of Alfred and Barbara.

Book Three: Dick discovers an ancient African tribe and learns combat techniques from them, finally taking the first steps out of Batman's shadow. In Africa, Dick develops a new persona for himself: Nightwing.

Book Four: Batman becomes angrier and more driven because of Dick's departure -- his new partner Batgirl is concerned over his change in personality. One night, while on the trail of Two-Face, Batman saves young Tim Drake, son of petty criminal "Shifty" Drake. Shifty was murdered by Two-Face and Tim swore revenge. Batman trained Tim into Robin and gave him another shot at life. Two-Face was captured and Batman took in Tim as his second ward.

Book Five: Dick joins an expedition to find a group of African monks who have lost an artifact, agreeing to a trade. He will recover the artifact in exchange for their secret of flight (the winged costume). He succeeds in gaining the artifact back from Ra's al Ghul. Succeeding, he visits Batman and reveals his new identity of Nightwing to him, Alfred, Batgirl, and Robin.

Batman: Gotham Adventures (1998 - 2003)

Based on "The New Batman Adventures", it ran for 60 issues.

Batman Adventures (vol. 2, 2003 - 2004)

In 2003, DC comics launched "Batman Adventures" shortly after the cancellation of "Batman: Gotham Adventures". The first issue was made available through the regular purchases and Free Comic Book Day May 3, 2003. It ran for 17 issues; it was canceled to make way for "The Batman Strikes!", a new title based on the new, unrelated, animated series "The Batman".

Issue #15 written by Jason Hall bridges the gap between Mr. Freeze's appearances in "Batman: The Animated Series" and "Batman Beyond". #17 ends the series with Batman confronting Joe Chill, the man who murdered his parents, although he is unaware of Chill's true identity.

Original Plan for Batman Adventures #15

In "Batman Adventures" #15, a character named Warren Powers originally appeared as head of Powers Technology. As a sort of prequel to the "Batman Beyond" episode, "Meltdown", Warren would have been shown acquiring the head of Mr. Freeze and locking it away in his vault, believing it holds the secrets of immortality. It has been confirmed that Warren is the father of Derek.

The issue would also have shown the Mr. Freeze Robot killing Ferris Boyle (from BTAS episode "Heart Of Ice") and Grant Walker (from the BTAS episode "Deep Freeze" and "Gotham Adventures" #5). Other differences include Nora's visit with Koonak (from ) happening earlier in the issue, as well as focus on the deterioration of Nightwing and Batgirl's relationship. [http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/batribute/backstage/15.php]

The Red Hood

An animated version of the character appears at the end of "Batman Adventures" #8. It was meant to be a subplot to be resolved later, but the cancellation of the ongoing series prevented that. Though the creative team (Dan Slott and Ty Templeton) behind the story are hoping for a chance to resolve it, they have yet to do so. It has been stated that this Red Hood is someone crucial to the DC animated universe. [http://forums.toonzone.net/showpost.php?p=1833869&postcount=10]

Dan Slott mentioned that the background of the character would tie into a subplot concerning Lucius Fox, The Vellestra Gang (from "Mask of the Phantasm") and The Powers Family (including an infant Derek Powers from "Batman Beyond"). [http://marvel.toonzone.net/fantasticfour/interviews/slott/]

Additional Characters

While there were many characters who never appeared in "Batman: The Animated Series", the comics from "The Batman Adventures" to "Batman Adventures" would occasionally introduce and features characters who never made it to the screen.

Heroes/Others

* Alec Holland
** "Batman Adventures #16"

* Julie Madison
** "Batman Adventures #1-2 and 5"

* Phantom Stranger
** "Batman Gotham Adventures #33"

* Eel O'Brian
** "Batman Adventures #6"

Villains

* Anarky
** "The Batman Adventures" #31

* Black Mask
** "Batman Adventures" #5-8

* Black Spider
** "Batman Adventures" #5-8

* Bronze Tiger
** "Batman Adventures" #5-8

* Cavalier
** "Batman Adventures" #1

* Joe Chill (His only full appearance outside the various flashbacks)
** "Batman Adventures" #17

* Red Hood
** "Batman Adventures" #8

* Sportsmaster
** "Batman Adventures" #5-8

Reprints

Footnotes

ee also

* List of DC Comics publications
* Superman Adventures
* Adventures in the DC Universe/Justice League Adventures/Justice League Unlimited

External links

*at [http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/main.php World's Finest] :
**" [http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/batman/btas/guides/comic/tba/ The Batman Adventures] "
**" [http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/batman/btas/guides/comic/bra/ The Batman and Robin Adventures] "
**" [http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/batman/tnba/guides/ga/ Gotham Adventures] "
**" [http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/batman/tnba/guides/ba/ Batman Adventures] "
**" [http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/batribute/ Batman Adventures Tribute] "