Aesthetically Comparing BTAS to The Batman -- My Thoughts

[PartyWagon]

Having watched most of the original 1992 Batman: The Animated Series (BTAS) and The Batman (TB) episodes, I would say that TB does not live to the hype (was there any hype afterall?)

I wrote up some reasons, so that you know that I am not just being deconstructive after watching only a few episodes.

Reasons:
1. Art style: TB features a style that is reminescent to Jackie Chan adventures. The style looks good on Jackie Chan, but not so well on TB. Buildings and backgrounds in TB look normal, not very Gotham (Gothic). But if you see BTAS, you'll notice that buildings actually resemble those from the 1920s to 1940s era. This is "Dark Deco," a combination of Art Deco and dark overtones of Batman's world, and I think this is very befitting of the whole dark knight feel.

2. Character and character designs: I don't know why, but now it seems the trend in animation is to simplify the characters. If you look back to BTAS, you'll notice that the characters are more rounded in the edge, and look more realistic. But characters in TB all look sharply angular, and are always presented in 3/4 view almost all the time. Also, the characters in TB look pretty omniracial to me. Not that I want to see all-white cast, but I believe one or a few minority characters can make them stand out for the better, rather than blurring our perception with all characters having blue eyes and black hair.

3. Music: I know that the Edge from U2 composed the theme song of TB, with some cool guitar riffs, but I wished that there is some sort of fanfare. Because to be honest, guitar-only background music isn't very appealing. On the otherhand, music in BTAS are composed by Shirley Walker, often with full orchestra, with music (each drum beat, horn blow) corresponding to the action on screen (walking, opening the door, explosion). Maybe I am too fastidious, but I think careful composition of music shows dedicaction of the music staff.

4. Story: This is where BTAS totally beats TB to the ground. TB just focuses too much on action, little on the story. In TB we rarely see why Bruce Wayne becomes Batman, or why he makes certain decisions or actions. TB focuses too much on his gadgets (which are too electronic and computerized) and vehicles. The script in TB isn't that well thought out, with too much one-liners (albeit the fact the Wayne and the Batman sound almost similar, unlike that of BTAS).

Personally, I think kids today really missed some good cartoons.

If you want to see the difference yourself, watch these episodes from BTAS:
"Paging the Crime Doctor," "It's Never Too Late," "Appointment in Crime Alley," and "I am the Night."

BATMAN FAN

[A.J]

I respect your opinion on the subject but I find no respect on the title to this threat. Just because YOU dont like TB it doesnt mean it "sucks". You should use a different word on that. For me TB is not better than BTAS but I still try to respect other people´s opinion & mostly the work of the people who produces it.

[Azrael24]

is this closed yet??

[Karkull]

I'll allow this thread to remain open if it sticks to discussing the aesthetic choices between the two shows and doesn't turn into a "The Batman sucks!" thread. It's a worthy discussion, but marred by a bad choice in thread title. Let's see where this goes, shall we?

Welcome to these boards, PartyWagon. Tread carefully.

[James]

is this closed yet?? Can we not spam threads with comments that are irrelevant and off topic? Let the staff do their jobs please. The thread has being dealt with. If you are concerned about a thread, REPORT it using the report icon on the first post.

EDIT: See Karkull's comment above mine for details.

[jv2k]

Personally I like the backrounds and it works just fine.
1. Art style and characrter design: Its jakee chan batman and while at first it was kinda anoying, I eventually grew to like it. I don't even mind poison ivy or the batgirl. A few things bug me about it though. The first are jokers teeth the buck teeth are a bit much but I can deal with that, but they are shape like well here is the pic http://wf.toonzone.net/WF/thebatman/bios/joker/05.jpg(I wish they kept the teeth like this http://wf.toonzone.net/WF/thebatman/bios/joker/01.jpg). Next is bruces nostril when facing us he looks fine(http://wf.toonzone.net/WF/thebatman/bios/batman/02.jpg), but at an angle http://wf.toonzone.net/WF/thebatman/bios/batman/04.jpg it go's up way too much, it would be better if they left it out. Aside from that the animation is beatiful and some of the backrounds look amazing ( http://wf.toonzone.net/WF/thebatman/episodes/21fireice/Pan09.jpg ).
While I like Batman:TAS more than I do like The Batman,with TNBA reinventing the character designs I like alot of The Batman ones better. But for the most part I do like the Batman:TAS ones more.
2.Music: they do use more than a guitar rift in the backrounds alot of times(if you actually watched more than the first episode you'd know this) but I do agree some times it gets anoying and seems out of place.
3. Story: While I like Batman:TAS alot more The Batman still is a decent series and I like it.

[karasu]

I'm not too keen on The Batman's Bruce Wayne design, but their Batman is the best design he's EVER had in my opinion. It's kind of back to the classic look, but modernized at the same time. I agree with Timm and Co when they say the original BTAS designs made everyone look fat and dumpy. Plus, for some reason their Robin had a receding hairline. @_@ BTAS had a great batgirl though. I prefer it to The Batman's version, but I do like the look of the new Batgirl because it's so different.

The design of the villians on The Batman is really hit or miss. I like Catwoman's design, but Bane's is gross. he looks fine before he uses the venom. They should keep his face obscured and ditch the salsa skin. There are elements of the Joker I like, such as how they make him out to be an acrobat, but his hair and outfit bother me. At the same time, I'm not totally obsessed with the idea of the Joker wearing a purple suit, so I don't really care. The Batman has a better looking Clayface though. In BTAS Clayface looked like a refugee from Thundar the Barbarian. He was a big fat golobulus in dire need of a dental plan. He probably would have given up his life of crime if Bruce wayne used his resources and provided him with a lifetime supply of Ho Ho's. Mr Freeze and The Penguin are universally awful. :sad:

I hope they come up with some new villians and new crimes to solve. Rogues gallery Shmogues gallery.

[elfwithagun]

When I watch the Batman. I try to forget there ever was any other bat toons in the entire history of this world. I enjoy it better. But for this thread I will compare.

Art Style: Its pretty good. The Batman has some pretty talented artists on their team. Some characters I have gripes with but I like them. Bane for example, in some shots his legs look so unproportional to the rest of his body that it looks like if he started running he would just crunch his legs right into the street. In some of the shots of Joker's first ep, Bat in the Bellfry, his head looks extremely large, like if he stood up he couldnt balance himself cause his head would lean him to one side. Same with Penguins hat. But I let it go.
Music: No comment its not too good but not too bad.
Story: We gotta remember, this show is aimed toward younger kids who are not gonna care what the story is. They just want to see bats and Joker kick eachothers butts. But with younger kids even the story is okay.

Its a good show and I like it.