I REALLY wish...

[batass4880]

I'm with you guys 100% on making the look of the show more detailed and less cartoony. That's one reason why as a kid I was never sold on the show because it looked too "Dick Sprang" to me when I wanted a more Jim Aparo look. Unfortunately Bruce Timm wanted the show to look like the early Superman cartoon.

I also wish that TAS was either made for HBO or made into animated shorts where they could be a little more flexible with the violence which was superbly done in MOTP. The Joker actually got to kill people!

[zDBZ]

Whatever! Just take you like and do you know what. I'm outta here!

I have not been trying to antagonise you. I've just been trying to explain why the show looks how it looks.

[Kamdan]

Sorry, dude. I got a little excited.

[thecolorsblend]

Given the fundamental differences between live action and animation, it should come as no surprise that the needs for each format differ.  I like the BTAS style.

In fact, if I've got a criticism about BTAS, it's that the animated movements of the characters didn't always live up to the designs.  Based upon that teaser poster artwork (the one around which the credits rolled at the end of each episode) that we'd see a lot more dynamic movement, gags, etc.  In contrast, the actual show has a lot of people just standing around talking to each other.  I thought we'd see "comic book style" kinetics, stunts and gags based upon that teaser but what we got was... different.

I love BTAS, it's on my Top Two Batman adaptations and I love the style (esp the WB redesign) but I felt like it somewhat missed the boat on going crazy with animation, movement,  kinetics, etc.

[The Dark Knight]

Given the fundamental differences between live action and animation, it should come as no surprise that the needs for each format differ.  I like the BTAS style.

In fact, if I've got a criticism about BTAS, it's that the animated movements of the characters didn't always live up to the designs.  Based upon that teaser poster artwork (the one around which the credits rolled at the end of each episode) that we'd see a lot more dynamic movement, gags, etc.  In contrast, the actual show has a lot of people just standing around talking to each other.  I thought we'd see "comic book style" kinetics, stunts and gags based upon that teaser but what we got was... different.

I love BTAS, it's on my Top Two Batman adaptations and I love the style (esp the WB redesign) but I felt like it somewhat missed the boat on going crazy with animation, movement,  kinetics, etc.

Good post.

Nice to see you back here, colors. You've been missed.

[Dark Knight Detective]

You've been hibernating on us, tcb?

[thecolorsblend]

Good afternoon, everyone.  Sorry I've been away for so long.

I won't let you down again.

[Dark Knight Detective]

No worries from me. It's great that you've returned.

[Azrael]

Welcome, and great post. I agree that this "minimalist" look gave TAS its unique style.

Still, some of the "episodes" in Gotham Knight (especially the last one) are maybe the best animated clips ever seen with a western "superhero". No wonder they were done by Japanese studios, stuff like Ninja Scroll and Vampire Hunter D is how I would like to see Batman done in animation.

[johnnygobbs]

The series designs looked more realistic, a la X-Men. I think that's primarily why I am not too fond of it sometimes.

Sorry to say but I've got to disagree Darrell.

B:TAS had a definite stylised look.  It was obviously created with genuine care, and was not merely a marketing tool or a cheap spin-off unlike a lot of action-orientated cartoons.  It's art-deco designs are iconic.

Although the X-Men animated series designs did often look like they were directly lifted from the comics at times, I don't think that style added much.  Animation and comics are completely different artforms, and I don't think the sketchy, realistic style of the comics work well in animation.