Arguably one of the best superhero animations of the modern era, Batman: The Animated Series helped shape the fandom of children growing up in the early nineties (myself included). Despite having spent countless hours watching the show during my youth, and re-watching those classic episodes again when they were released on DVD, I find I cannot tire of them. Which is especially good news, now that TheWB.com is making full episodes available to stream for free online. Right now, the first ten episodes are up, with more to come.
Watch one of the earliest (and, in my opinion, best) episodes, “On Leather Wings,” below, and check out the rest at TheWB.com. (Sorry to our international readers, the episodes are only available to stream in the United States.)
If you want to get a little more in-depth with the show, The Onion’s A.V. Club is running an excellent series of weekly reviews, which are great to following along with as you get back into the series for some of their excellent observations. Similarly, I cannot recommend highly enough the wonderful and exhaustive Batman: Animated book by series writer/producer Paul Dini and master designer/Batman Fanboy Chip Kidd which features loads of artwork and anecdotes from the creation of the show.
And if that isn’t enough, TheWB.com is also streaming the Batman: Black and White Motion Comics, which are definitely worth taking a peek at if you have never seen them. Artists featured in the motion comics include Alex Ross, Darwyn Cooke, Paul Pope, Tim Sale, and even Batman: The Animated Series director/producer Bruce Timm, among other comics luminaries.
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Not avaliable in UK. Nooooooo!
Yesssssss. My first ever memory of watching Batman: TAS was at a day-care when I was in elementary school. I love how this series was great when I was growing up, and it even more amazing when re-watching it now.
Since Batman: TAS, I’ve been in love with the Timm-verse. Here’s hoping that they’ll start streaming the other Timm-verse series.
this series is THE REASON why i love Batman. I used to run home from school everyday to make sure i caught this in time (barely did every day). Great childhood memory that would have been ruined by DVR’s and streaming…
Also i will second the notion of the Animated Book. Its one of my favorite books. The foldouts of all the title cards is brilliant.
Geographical restrictions appal me. Maybe we should make all BBC content visible only from within the UK.
I still want to buy the series despite this awesome ability.
@supersnac90 –i have them on DVD. The packaging is great and totally worth it.
I am starting to feel very very old. I remember when this show premiered and despite my deep and abiding hatred of Batman, I’m still quite fond of this show.
@boosebaster Uhh it is already. With commercials before the free videos that aren’t.
@queenrikki How about this: in two years A Nightmare Before Christmas will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
I am so, so, so, so depressed that I cannot watch it in the UK. You’ve no idea. I hate that there’s only two DVD box sets (out of four) available here. Absolutely gutted.
@ResurrectionFlan REALLY? I feel rather stupid now! I assumed it was free and accessible everywhere in the world. That IS appalling!
RE: This series, I’ve never seen any of it (wrong age, and I was “out” of the scene at the time). I would consider importing the DVDs if I liked it but the WB clearly think my money isn’t the right colour or something. I thought we were in some magical global internet age or something.
If it wasn’t for the fact that I already owned this entire series, I could see this taking up a looooot of my time. Eh maybe I’ll watch it online anyway.
I own the complete series of this as well as Batman Beyond, Superman TAS and Justice League (unlimited) and I am watching this with my kids a couple eps a night. I am proud to say my 5 yr old son is glued to the tv watching this as I was at 10. It’s great atleast that they are making it available so anyone who hasn’t seen it can get to, but watching it online is nothing compared to watching it on tv. Now if they would make Static Shock and Zeta Project complete series I will be happy.
The Complete Series box sets is one of my favorite purchases. I know how well the Timm verse expanded afterwards, but for my money this series is still the overall masterpiece. Nothing compares to how well they captured mood and incorporated the idea of an anachronisitc Gotham (dirigibles!). Also, the first to show different voices for Bruce Wayne and Batman. Also also, a competent non-asshole public persona for Bruce! Also also also….it brought us Harley Quinn!
@boosebaster Yup now I’ll never know how Adel Taarabts teammates feel about him and his Championship Player of the Year award!
@MaxPower The Tim Verse is probably the definite DC Universe of the last decade despite all the comics and whatnot, it’s a lot more balanaced, developed and nuanced than a lot of the comics I think.
This is awesome because, I’ve been waiting so long for the box sets to drop in price, that I wouldn’t think I’d ever see these episodes again. Good on WB for allowing this to happen.
Not in Canada.
@TheNextChampion
The box sets are not that expensive on Amazon.
20 years ago? Doesn’t seem real to me.
@TheNextChampion –either you’re a cheapskate or you haven’t been looking very hard. You can find each set for $15-20 on a regular basis through the Best Buy/Amazon circuit, and even less used. They seem to always be on sale. Get them! So worth it.
@evilerniefiend –i own all of those as well! Such a golden era of superhero animation. Once we have our kiddies i totally plan on starting them out on those. Some of the best cartoons ever!
watching it online could be cool to have in the background at work or something. Thank goodness for dual screens! hehe
@wally/bryce: Considering what my job status is right now DVD’s at $20-$30 are still a bit high.
Yeah….
@TheNextChampion –yeah thats cool. i did amass mine over several years. There is always rentals, netflix etc. they are out there for you to enjoy!
@wally: Oh….Rentals!? But I want them now!
This combined with the Japanese Spider Man epsiodes on Marvel’s website makes me a particularly happy camper.
Fah…only in US!