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Best remembered as Eric Matthews from Boy Meets World after a seven-year run on ABC, Will Friedle later became a household name of his own through voicing in animated shows such as Kim Possible, Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy and The Secret Saturdays following the success of Batman Beyond where he voiced Terry McGinnis. The second person to take on the Batman mantle after Bruce Wayne in a futuristic Neo-Gotham set in the year 2039. Now over two years since the passing of his co-star Kevin Conroy in 2022, Fridele reveals his thoughts on a continuation of the series and a statement he will no longer voice the character anytime soon.

During a panel at Animate Columbus! 2025 nearly a month ago, Friedle recently spoke to a fan on returning to voice McGinnis without Conroy's involvement as Bruce Wayne.

If you asked me that question three years ago,...

DC Comics has delivered a wide array of superhero films, from dark, gripping thrillers to vibrant, family-friendly adventures. Rotten Tomatoes’ Certified Fresh ratings help us pinpoint the cream of the crop, showcasing movies that have impressed critics with their bold stories and memorable characters.

This article ranks the top 20 DC Comics movies, all holding Certified Fresh status, based on their Tomatometer scores. These films highlight the diversity of DC’s cinematic world, blending action, emotion, and stunning visuals. Let’s dive into the list, starting with the lowest score and building up to the highest.

20. V for Vendetta (2005) – 73% Warner Bros. Productions

In a grim future London ruled by a fascist regime, ‘V for Vendetta’ follows the enigmatic V, played by Hugo Weaving, as he ignites a rebellion. Natalie Portman’s Evey transforms from bystander to ally, anchoring the film’s intense themes of freedom.

James McTeigue’s direction delivers striking visuals and a provocative story,...

Kevin Conroywas the voice of Batman for an entire generation. Many fans grew up imitating his “I am Batman,” line and still get goosebumps when they hear it on the TV. From animated series and movies like the iconic Batman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, and Batman: The Killing Joke to video games, his work defines pop culture and DC animation for fans. Without Conroy, even his co-stars can’t imagine stepping back into iconic roles.

Will Friedle, who voiced Terry McGinnis in Batman Beyond reveals that he won’t be reviving the fan-favorite role no matter which project is being offered, “If you asked me that question three years ago, the answer would be, ‘Oh my god, yes. Get me in front of the microphone right now,’” Friedle said about voicing Terry, ComicBook reports. He further added,

“Now that Kevin’s gone, I don’t know if I could do it again.

Bruce Timm, who is often referred to as the godfather of the DC Animated Universe, has had quite a plethora of movies to his name. The creator also wanted the iconic film Justice League vs The Fatal Five as a sequel to the TV show Justice League Unlimited.

Although it wasn’t originally intended, fate led Bruce Timm to weave through the canon of certain events that transpired in Justice League Unlimited and Justice League vs The Fatal Five. In the end, Timm got what he wanted since the movie (although not explicitly) is considered a sequel to Justice League Unlimited.

The 100% Rt score movie that Bruce Timm wanted for a sequel

The production had started, but because of budget cuts, stock designs that Bruce Timm’s team had created earlier were used for the animation. Most of the voice cast (including Kevin Conroy) were confirmed to reprise their role in the Dcau film.

Despite what The Discourse™ may have you believe, there is superhero media that exists outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In fact, superheroes existed long before the MCU ever did. Shocking, we know.

In all seriousness, any true-blue superhero fan likely didn't begin their obsession with the MCU or even with Marvel, potentially. The world of metahumans extends far and wide, from comic book favorites like DC and Dark Horse to entirely original creations from other mediums. However, with the cultural omnipresence of the superhero blockbuster, it can often feel like the MCU is all there is, to the point that the phrase "superhero fatigue" was coined to describe folks' exhaustion with the genre.

To put it bluntly, superhero fatigue isn't really a thing, in the same way "comedy fatigue" or "horror fatigue" aren't a thing. People have loved superheroes for over a century and will continue to love them,...

Well, it looks like the DC Universe just got a little more miraculous. Yep, James Gunn is finally cracking open the cosmic toybox again, but this time, he’s pulling out Mister Miracle, the escape artist, New God, and all-around legend in a spandex suit. You heard it right. DC’s next animated series is officially in the works, and trust us, it’s about to be a wild ride through Apokolips, Boom Tubes, and more than a few existential crises.

Following the success of Creature Commandos, DC Studios clearly isn’t afraid to get weird, and Mister Miracle might just be their quirkiest leap yet. With Gunn and Peter Safran shaping the future of DC through animation and live-action, this new take on Scott Free promises to deliver high-stakes action, cosmic drama, and maybe even a talking Mother Box or two. So, buckle up, because this isn’t your...

Alan Moore and Brian Bolland's 1988 graphic novel "Batman: The Killing Joke" is a legendary entry in the Batman canon that has influenced countless interpretations of the Dark Knight. Not only did it add major elements to Batman lore, including the shooting of Barbara Gordon and what is now widely accepted as the Joker's origin, it influenced even more popular depictions of the Batman mythos. Director Tim Burton cited "The Killing Joke" as a big inspiration for 1989's "Batman," even going so far as to claim Moore's graphic novel was the first comic book he ever really loved. Later, Christopher Nolan borrowed major elements from the story for "The Dark Knight," most notably Joker's hazy past and unreliable narration whereby we never truly know if the villain is recounting his origin story accurately or not.

This is to say nothing of the way in which "The Killing Joke," alongside seminal...

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If you're in need of a Batman fix, you can't go wrong with "Batman: The Animated Series." Since its premiere in 1992, many have deemed this Batman show to be the definitive take on the Dark Knight. A lot of what we consider to be the archetypal Batman comes from the series. Gothic atmosphere dripped from its animation frames and the orchestral score sounded right out of the Tim Burton "Batman" films. On the topic of sound: The late Kevin Conroy, who provided the voice performance for Batman/Bruce Wayne, was the ideal actor for the character.

The relatively mature storytelling of "Batman: The Animated Series" also redefined expectations about what an American children's cartoon could be. Yet its ambitious writing was also economical; stories fit into tight 22-minute runtimes. At its best, "Batman" felt less like mere cartoon episodes and more like short films,...

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The late Kevin Conroy will always be the voice of Batman. His 30 year tenure in the role, from "Batman: The Animated Series" to Conroy's fitting bow-out in "Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths — Part Three," is immortal. Conroy brought his own life into the performance that redefined the Dark Knight; as a gay man living in mid-20th century America, Conroy could relate to Batman keeping secrets and pain bottled up inside.

But across his many times voicing Batman, Conroy's voice shifted. During the original run of "Batman: The Animated Series," Conroy's Batman voice wasn't quite as deep as it became. He also gave the character two voices: a light and laidback one for Bruce Wayne (which was Conroy's own natural voice) and a stern one for Batman.

Then, in 1997, the series relaunched with an updated art style as "The New Batman Adventures.

The 1990s really was one of the best times for kids' animation, especially when it came to superheroes. From "X-Men: The Animated Series" and "Spider-Man: The Animated Series" on the Marvel side to "Batman: The Animated Series" on the DC side, kids were spoiled for choice when it came to quality animated superhero programming. Part of what bound these shows together was a mature sensibility that treated their young audiences as if they were not just able to understand more adult storylines and themes but actually wanted those things in their shows (even if toy sales did dictate the first season of "Spider-Man: The Animated Series").

Naturally, after "Batman: The Animated Series" proved to be the definitive depiction of the Dark Knight for an entire generation, Warner Bros. was keen to repeat that success. So, the company quickly put "Superman: The Animated Series" into production, with "Batman: Tas" co-creator Bruce Timm overseeing the show.

The Batman: Arkham games have captivated the world with their most accurate portrayal of the Caped Crusader, where players can fly around in their Batsuit and beat up criminals. I mean, who does not want to bring justice to the rotten city of Gotham, right?

While the entire franchise has done a great job at giving a sense of realism to not just Batman but other characters in the games as well, I am truly disappointed at this one installment that just ruined one of the most compelling characters in the entire Batman universe.

Of course, I am talking about how Batman: Arkham Asylum reduced Harley Quinn into this crazy, obsessed lover who is totally “not” manipulated by The Joker. Let’s delve deeper into this.

Arkham Asylum rushed the origins of Harley Quinn

Batman: Arkham Asylum is one of the greatest video games of all time. The game made...

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"Batman: The Animated Series" indisputably revitalized Mr. Freeze. He wasn't exactly a forgotten villain before that — he made it into the 1960s "Batman" series, which was actually the first time he was called Mr. Freeze.

But the "Batman: The Animated Series" episode "Heart of Ice," written by Paul Dini, is where Freeze, as Bat-fans know him, began. The episode gave Freeze (voiced by Michael Ansara) a true name, Victor Fries. The '60s show had him named Dr. Schivel, whereas the comics had never given him a pre-supervillain name. That speaks to how little Freeze's backstory mattered, which gave Dini and company room to fill in the blanks. "Heart of Ice" forever changed Mr. Freeze from a generic mad scientist villain into someone driven by vengeance and love for his terminally-ill wife, Nora Fries.

"Batman: The Animated Series" is the definitive Batman for many,...

True crime, action, horror: sounds like just another night shift at the Waffle House. But you can get it all in the comfort of your home on Netflix this week Smothered and covered is at your discretion.

You'll find new seasons of several popular series this week, and plenty of new fare, too. From a fixture on the scene of American comedy for decades to one of the latest and greatest horror-comedy mashups, Netflix has your flix fix this week. Sorry, you'll have to wait for that Little House on the Prairie reboot.

The new arrivals might not entirely make up for the loss of some titles getting the axe this week. I'd be quite sad about the departure of both seasons of Justice League: Unlimited if it weren't for the fact I wisely purchased it years ago. For the life of me, I still can't figure out why DC...

"Batman: The Animated Series" is beloved for how accurately it adapted the "Batman" comics. Many consider the series to be the definitive depiction of Gotham City. Yet "Batman" also colored in the margins, where the creators left their own thumbprints.

The series didn't only adapt existing Batman comics and characters. The "Batman" team also introduced a handful of original characters, spicing up the stories they could tell. Some of these original characters were such successes that the comics started adapting them from the show.

Take Gotham police officer Renee Montoya, one of Commissioner Gordon's (Bob Hastings) inner circle. Or Nora Fries, terminally ill wife of the villainous Mr. Freeze. Nora's admittedly more of a plot device, but her presence casts a cloud over Freeze and is the foundation of his brilliant recharacterization.

Some of the other original characters were more sinister. The many illustrious villains of "Batman: The Animated Series...

Prior to the 2000s’ live-action superhero boom, the ’90s marked a significant shift for this genre, as both DC and Marvel were on a roll with gems like Batman: The Animated Series and X-Men: The Animated Series. But amidst the plethora of action cartoons that revolved around pre-established IPs, the ’90s were also no stranger to original superhero shows, which involved Swat Kats: The Radical Squadron.

Created by Christian and Yvon Tremblay, the show was notable for gearing toward a more mature tone with its action and themes, and even though its tenure was short-lived, its impact still lives on through its cult following. With the two on board to embark on a new chapter of the classic show, the Tremblay brothers reflected on their inspirations for the show’s rogues’ gallery during an exclusive interview with Fandomwire at Mumbai Comic Con.

Swat Kats: The Radical Squadron banked on Batman...

Bruce Timm, the American artist and animator known for his immense contribution in creating the world of modern Dcau, is not just any writer… but a genius as well.

Having the characters age up in a cartoon show is something that is rarely seen in the world. However, Bruce Timm managed to take that risk which paid off when The New Batman Adventures became one of the best animated shows of all time.

Bruce Timm let the characters age in his animated show!

When it comes to animated shows and characters, there’s no such thing as aging. As a continuation of Batman: The Animated Series, Bruce Timm created the 1997 show titled The New Batman Adventures.

The New Batman Adventures had a focus on Batman’s allies | Credits: Warner Bros. Television Animation

Focusing more on Batman’s sidekicks and allies rather than the caped crusader himself, The New Batman Adventures...

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Where Marvel Comics has "What If...?", DC Comics has Elseworlds, which takes DC heroes and reimagines them in different time periods, different genres, etc. In Elseworlds, the Justice League can become cowboys, Superman can be raised in the Soviet Union, and Batman can fight Dracula.

Elseworlds goes back to 1989 and kicked off with "Batman: Gotham By Gaslight." Written by Brian Augustyn and drawn by Mike Mignola, "Gotham By Gaslight" throws the Dark Knight back 100 years, revealing what would happen if Bruce Wayne was Batman in the 1880s. Among other things, it turns out, he'd battle Jack the Ripper rather than Jack Napier.

The comic opens with a letter titled "From Hell," which was authored for the book by Robert Bloch and named for the letter the real Jack the Ripper sent to the chairman of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee. This...

There have been endless debates about which screen adaptation of Batman stands above the rest. Usually, that discussion revolves around the cinematic interpretations, whether it's Tim Burton's two films with Michael Keaton, Joel Schumacher's films with Val Kilmer and George Clooney, Christopher Nolan's "Dark Knight" trilogy with Christian Bale, Zack Snyder's DC Extended Universe films with Ben Affleck, or Matt Reeves' ongoing Epic Crime Saga with Robert Pattinson. We can even throw in "The Lego Batman Movie," which features Will Arnett as the funniest Caped Crusader of them all, and whose cancelled sequel I still mourn eight years later. And of course, how can we forget the legendary Adam West? While every one of these adaptations has its share of highlights (and lowlights), it is hard to argue against "Batman: The Animated Series," featuring the late Kevin Conroy's legendary voice performance as Bruce Wayne.

When...

/Film readers likely know that the aesthetic of "Batman: The Animated Series" is part of what made the show such a success. The "Dark Deco" look, as it was known, was an extension of the show's willingness to tell much more mature storylines and treat kids as if they were smart enough to understand them. The black card backgrounds and film noir-inspired designs spoke to this desire to tell more adult stories, with "Btas" crafting an immersive and oppressive Gotham City that felt truly unique amid the comparatively wacky designs of fellow Fox Kids series like "Taz-Mania" and "Eek! The Cat."

With other visual influences ranging from Alfred Hitchcock movies to Tim Burton's Batman films, you might not have expected "Btas" to go full western during its 1992-95 run. But that's exactly what it did in a season 2 episode that, while it might not be remembered as one...

Early Cartoon Network was a wild time for imagination in animation. After being created mostly to just air classic Warner Bros., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Hanna-Barbera cartoons, the mid-'90s saw Cartoon Network get into original programming with the introduction of Cartoon Cartoons. These were animated shorts that later got turned into full animated series like "Dexter's Laboratory," "Johnny Bravo," "Cow and Chicken," "Courage the Cowardly Dog," and "The Powerpuff Girls" -- shows that remain some of the best of the past 30 years. It was a time of great experimentation without a house style or a formula that allows for a series of cartoons that pushed the medium forward in visual style, tone, kineticism, and characters.

Many of these shows shared a lot of the same crew, with the very first Cartoon Cartoon, "Dexter's Laboratory," staffing future legends of the medium like Rob Renzetti, Seth MacFarlane, Butch Hartman, and "The Powerpuff Girls...

"Teen Titans" is one of the best and most celebrated superhero animated shows ever made, one that, alongside "Avatar: The Last Airbender," helped change kids' shows forever with its anime-inspired look and engagement with subjects like disability and racism. It had character arcs that developed throughout each season, fantastic animation, and a tone that balanced lightheartedness with moments of gravitas and character drama. Plus, in essence, it was a show about teenagers. This last part is important, because the change from very episodic storytelling of the (still masterful) Bruce Timm shows like "Batman: The Animated Series" or "Justice League" to adding more serialized elements and character development paved the way for darker, edgier shows like "Young Justice."

Inspired by '80s storylines by Marv Wolfman and the late, great George Pérez, "Teen Titans" follows Robin (Scot Menville), the capable leader of the group; Starfire (Hynden Walch), an alien princess from...

"Batman: The Animated Series" is one of the most celebrated animated shows of all time, certainly when it comes to cartoons based on superheroes. Bruce Timm's show redefined Batman to a new generation, with an exquisite Art Deco style, and one of the best voice cast ever. After the end of the hugely successful show, there were many different directions Warner Bros. Animation could have gone with the Caped Crusader. Several ideas were explored, including a teenage Batman cartoon. Before moving forward with what would ultimately become "Batman Beyond," Timm's futuristic take on the character, there was another show in contention, one based on a big comics crossover from the '90s — "No Man's Land."

"No Man's Land" was a big crossover across the many Batman titles of 1999. The story took place after a massive earthquake struck Gotham City, leading to the government evacuating most of the city,...

Quick LinksWhat Was Liam Neeson's Ra's al Ghul Mission?What Is Batman Ninja's Ra's al Ghul Obsessed With?Batman Ninja's Ra's al Ghul Has a More Terrifying AuraBatman Ninja Makes Ra's al Ghul a God

The following contains spoilers for Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League, now available on digital.

Warner Bros. and DC have cultivated a myriad of Batman movies over the years. From Robert Pattinson's Dark Knight to the Prime Video cartoon Batman: The Caped Crusader, along with numerous animated films, fans of Bruce Wayne have had a lot of content to dive into. This is only expected to ramp up with James Gunn's Dcu poised to bring a new Batman and Robin into focus.

In the interim, anime fans have a continuation to 2018's anime movie, Batman Ninja. Its sequel, Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League, deals with Batman and his family having to...

Saturday morning cartoons are a staple of television that has been lost as streaming sites become more and more popular. However, the tradition of airing cartoons on Saturday and Sunday mornings lasted from the '60s to most of the '90s. Even though most children don't watch open television anymore, this tradition still continues on some networks, and sites like YouTube often offer dedicated channels solely for beloved cartoons of yesteryear.

Since a lot of people grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons, it makes sense that some of the most beloved animated series come from this programming. From oldies like Tom & Jerry to epic superhero shows like X-Men: The Animated Series, these cartoons will forever live in fans' hearts. They make great nostalgic viewing, and while adult eyes may look at them differently than younger ones did, they still hold plenty of joys to be revisited.

Updated on March 13th,...

Bruce Timm is owed a lot of gratitude when it comes to his work at DC. Especially when it comes to Batman, Timm has often managed to outdo himself, especially when it came to shows like Caped Crusader and Batman: The Animated Series. It would feel like a dream come true if the creator were given control of a live-action Batman film.

Batman || Credit: WB

In an interview with Den of Geek, the writer was able to talk about what his Batman live-action film would be like if he was given the chance, and what his opinion about those films is, given the rich history that they have.

Bruce Timm is sure he is not going to make a Batman film on par with Christopher Nolan Christian Bale as Batman in The Dark Knight Trilogy by Christopher Nolan | DC Studios

There have been a slew of great Batman films in the past.

The "Bat-embargo." If you're a fan of the classic DC Animated Universe (Dcau), the words probably feel like a chill in the night. If you're not, then let me explain.

See, DC Comics can be fickle about which of its characters can appear on television, and where. During the 2000s, this mostly impacted Batman and his supporting cast. Kevin Conroy's Batman was a regular on "Justice League Unlimited," which aired alongside the unconnected cartoon "The Batman," and Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins" marked the return of the Dark Knight after his 1990s silver screen fall.

Reportedly, then-dc Comics President Paul Levitz was worried that kids would be confused about all of these Batmen. How would they be able to tell multiple versions of the same characters apart when they were all appearing at the same time? Hence, the Bat-embargo came into effect around 2004 (when "The Batman" debuted and "Justice League...

Batman: The Animated Series remains a modern animated classic, arguably one of the best in the genre. Writer-producer Paul Dini helped develop the series and also served as one of its writers. However, Dini originally got a start in his career working with Star Wars legend George Lucas.

Dcau legend Paul Dini (Credit: Alex Ross | YouTube).

During an interview, Dini reflected on the experience of working on Lucas’s epic space opera saga before going on to create one of the greatest animated shows ever made. As a result, it is safe to say that we wouldn’t have had Batman: The Animated Series without Dini’s work on Star Wars, and here is everything you need to know about it.

Dcau Legend Paul Dini recalled the experience of working with Star Wars creator George Lucas

Paul Dini is primarily known for his work on the DC animated shows and movies,...

In the early 1990s, Steven Spielberg oversaw a miniature animation renaissance. He assembled a super-team of the industry's strongest talents in the hopes of recreating, in a modern idiom, the slapstick magic of old-world Looney Tunes cartoons. 1990 saw the premiere of "Tiny Toon Adventures," a self-aware show that featured hip-talking 12-year-old counterparts of famed Looney Tunes characters. This, in turn, led to the creation of "Animaniacs," a modern update of the ethos of zany 1930s cartoons, but with its own wicked pace and surreal asides. Spielberg's renaissance then crested in 1995 with the debut of Paul Dini and Bruce Timm's "Freakazoid!" -- a relatively short-lived animated superhero spoof that remains one of the better animated series of the 1990s.

Nonsense down to its core, "Freakazoid!" aimed to dismantle the po-faced seriousness of the superhero genre (seriousness that Timm himself contributed to with his acclaimed "Batman: The Animated Series"). Freakazoid was created,...

Joker: Folie à Deux continues to be the butt of jokes in the film industry following its much-publicized flop. Even the Academy Awards couldn't resist taking shots at the derided DC sequel as the event made one brutal joke at its expense, with the help of Los Angeles' finest.

Host Conan O'Brien led a segment during the 97th Academy Awards where he introduced members of the Los Angeles Fire Department and had them read some jokes off the teleprompter, saying “Now, I know you’re going to find this hard to believe, but there are some jokes even I’m not brave enough to tell,” before adding, “On behalf of myself, would you please read what’s in the prompter? Remember — everyone in this audience has to laugh; these are heroes!” LA Fire Department captain Erik Scott started the segment with a fiery joke about Folie à Deux, referencing the...

Conan O'Brien is taking full advantage of his hosting duties at the 97th Academy Awards, making all sorts of hilarious jokes and references to the phenomenal and also turbulent year that 2024 was for the film industry and the greater Los Angeles area. In one of the more unique segments of the Awards show, O'Brien brought out the Los Angeles Fire Department Captains to celebrate their heroic efforts to put out the LA Wildfires. Besides recognizing the brave first responders, O'Brien also took the opportunity to give them the spotlight in a fun way— by having them tell jokes he deemed too brutal for him to tell. One such joke targeted a controversial and poorly received movie released late last year, Joker: Folie à deux. When O'Brien let the first Firefighter Captain tell a joke, it was an unexpectedly ruthless, with the Captain saying:

"Our hearts go out to all of...

Quick LinksHarley Quinn Season 5 Debuts New Episodes on ThursdaysWhat Fans Need to Know About Harley Quinn Season 5

The following contains spoilers for Harley Quinn Season 5, now streaming on Max.

The Max animated series Harley Quinn has been an impressive offering from DC Studios. It follows Harley's (Kaley Cuoco) emancipation from the Joker, but avoids retreading the same narrative beats from the Bruce Timm and Paul Dini era. The show also avoids retreading what Margot Robbie already did on the big screen as the live-action version of the antiheroine.

This is achieved by focusing more on Harley and Poison Ivy embarking on a romance. The show also gives Harley her own group of friends who have their own stories to tell. Many viewers are somewhat surprised the series is still around as James Gunn forges a new Dcu vision, including for animation. Still, Harley Quinn is now in its fifth season,...

Rocksteady Studios, developers of the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham series and commercial flop Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, are reportedly working on a new game inspired by the Batman Beyond animated series.

The rumor comes by way of social media user Lunatic Ignus, a somewhat reliable gaming insider who claims that the animated series will serve as a foundation for the video game trilogy. Although the game will not be based on the show's animation style, storylines from it could be expanded upon.

Ignus also claims that the game is being developed exclusively for PlayStation, which would mark a major shift in Rocksteady's approach as a multiplatform studio. To date, all of Rocksteady's games — from 2009's Batman: Arkham Asylum to 2024's Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League — have been released on at least Xbox, PlayStation, and PC. The only exception was 2016's Batman: Arkham VR, which was released...

Still recognized as one of the greatest interpretations of the Caped Crusader, even three decades after its debut, Batman: The Animated Series helped to redefine the portrayal of superheroes in mainstream media. The show's commitment to quality writing, and the internal battles over the juvenile scripts produced early on by some Saturday Morning veterans, was an indicator Batman had aspirations that exceeded most of the era's programming. One established character who presented a challenge to the writing staff, however, was Gotham's infamous criminal mastermind, the Riddler.

The Name Is "Riddler!" Edward Nygma Doesn't Exist Anymore!Image via Warner Bros. Discovery

Created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, and debuting in October 1948's Detective Comics #140, the Riddler remained an obscure figure for nearly twenty years, thanks to a dearth of appearances during the Golden Age of comic books. The Riddler's return in May 1965's Batman #171, from writer Gardner Fox and penciler Jack Schiff,...

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Invincible is an adult animated superhero action comedy-drama series created by Robert Kirkman. Based on the comic book series of the same name by Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley, the Prime Video series is set in a world where superheroes exist, and it follows Mark Grayson, a teenage boy who is the son of the world’s most powerful superhero, Omni-Man. Mark wants to be just like his father, but he doesn’t know that his father is hiding a dark secret. Invincible’s voice cast includes Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, J.K. Simmons, Gillian Jacobs, and Walton Goggins. So, if you loved the subversive storytelling, great superhero action, and compelling characters in Invincible, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Boys (Prime Video) Credit – Prime Video

The Boys is a superhero action dark...

The DC brand has seemingly struggled with its live-action department, especially in terms of the now-defunct Dceu. But on the animation front, it has been a very different story. Bruce Timm, who spearheaded the Dcau, starting with the ’90s Batman: The Animated Series, also contributed to the creation of Justice League Unlimited.

Justice League Unlimited | Credit: Warner Bros. Animation

Not only did the show feature a plethora of notable characters from the DC roster, but the writing for most villains and heroes was second to none, especially when it came to The Flash.

One Justice League Unlimited episode highlighted Wally West’s compassion Flash and Substance | Credit: Warner Bros. Animation

Although The Flash witnessed a surge in popularity among the masses in the 2010s, thanks to 2013’s Flashpoint Paradox and the CW series, in recent years, the scarlet speedster has experienced an uneven terrain. From the CW losing its steam...

At this point, saying Mark Hamill is the definitive Joker is as redundant as saying Kevin Conroy is the definitive Batman. While every Bat-fan has their favorite performance of both character, Hamill and Conroy have enjoyed such enduring appeal as the Clown Prince of Crime and the Dark Knight, respectively, that since playing the roles in "Batman: The Animated Series" they have returned to the characters in everything from video games to animated movies and even live-action TV appearances.

But the original Fox Kids series is where an entire generation of '90s kids witnessed Conroy and Hamill's performances for the first time. Prior to its 1992 debut, there had never really been anything quite like the now-beloved animated series. Co-creators Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, along with a team of indispensable contributors that included writers Paul Dini and Alan Burnett, crafted a show that appealed to kids without talking down to them.

2024's tour de force "The Brutalist" has finally opened wide in the new year, letting audiences see the movie that /Film's Chris Evangelista called an "overwhelming triumph." (The film earns every syllable of that praise and more.) "They don't make movies like this anymore" is trite criticism but "The Brutalist" truly feels like something pulled out of the New Hollywood era; a sprawling epic about American identity and assimilation, like "The Godfather" if Marlon Brando's Vito Corleone was a Jewish architect instead of a mobster. There's even an intermission, a practice long discarded in most modern films.

Adrien Brody leads "The Brutalist" as László Tóth, a Holocaust survivor who comes to America. In the new world, László again finds work as an architect — specifically, in designing a custom community envisioned by an old-money industrialist (Guy Pearce). Brody, who has retreated from the A-list outside of his consistent work with Wes Anderson,...

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Back in the 2010s, superhero movies adopted the "cinematic universe" as their storytelling framework; like the comics, separate franchises with unique lead characters existed within a common setting and would cross over. In the 2020s, cape-flicks leveled up to the multiverse, where each past version of a screen superhero also exists and can interact with the current ones. It's all really an excuse for easy nostalgia plays and inside jokes, hence Michael Keaton showing up as Batman again in "The Flash." (Not that it helped the movie succeed.) Last year's "Deadpool & Wolverine" was similarly all about Disney buying out 20th Century Fox and discarding the latter studio's Marvel franchises.

For my money, only one superhero movie has used the multiverse in a way befitting true science-fiction rather than just picking and choosing favored action figures for a single play-set.

DC Comics has a knack for putting morally grey villains in their world and equally grey superheroes to fight against them. James Gunn, the co-head of DC Studios, knows this very well.

There are some powerful villains and heroes in DC | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

Being in charge of the Dcu, Gunn has the power and the authority to add one of the most underrated villains from Batman: The Animated Series into the upcoming Dcu film The Brave and the Bold.

DC knows how to create likable villains

It can be said that DC Comics and its cinematic universe have some of the finest villains out there. From the psychotic nature of Joker to the disturbing plans of Darkseid, the villains are plenty.

Baby Doll is one of the saddest villains in Batman: The Animated Series | Credits: Warner Bros. Animation

Back in 1992, Batman: The Animated Series premiered on television...

Quick Links Oliva Hussey Has Left Behind an Impressive Legacy in Film Olivia Hussey Voiced One of the Most Important Characters in Batman's Lore What Was Talia Al Ghul's Story In the Dcau?

In 2024, the film industry sadly lost many of its greatest and most legendary talents, from James Earl Jones to Donald Sutherland, breaking the hearts of movie lovers everywhere. With the passing of Golden Globe-winning actress, Olivia Hussey, in December, many have since been paying tribute to her with the recognition of such classic films as Romeo and Juliet and Black Christmas. Throughout her career, she tackled a variety of roles in a variety of genres, but her role in Black Christmas is what has cemented her legacy as one of the best scream queens that the horror genre has ever seen. While she appeared in quite a few other recognizable titles in both film and television, many...

When Batman: The Animated Series debuted in 1992, it redefined superhero storytelling in animation in ways that are still felt decades hence. With its groundbreaking art style, complex characters, and mature themes, the series became an instant classic. Thirty years later, it remains one of the most beloved and influential adaptations of DC’s Dark Knight, directly changing most Batman media and lore that followed. As a result, rewatching the series over 30 years later feels vastly different from experiencing it during its original run.

Batman: The Animated Series arrived at a pivotal moment in pop culture and the Dcu timeline. Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) had reinvigorated interest in the Caped Crusader, and Warner Bros. sought to capitalize on this resurgence. The series premiered with a distinctive noir-inspired style, alongside a more serious tone than most cartoons of the era. Its influence spread far beyond its 85-episode run, shaping subsequent portrayals of Batman in comics,...

James Gunn has delivered a brilliant animated beginning to the Dcu with Creature Commandos. The show, as is the case with some of Gunn’s other projects, took some very obscure characters from the DC canon and thrust them into the limelight with a brilliant story and an engaging soundtrack.

X-Men ’97 || Credits: Marvel Animation

James Gunn revealed that the success of X-Men ’97, according to him, was because it did not chase after trends, and instead delivered something unique, which is also something that the Dcu would like to do. However, this was the director’s justification for not reviving any of the old, non-dcu, non-dceu animated shows, such as Justice League Unlimited or Batman Beyond.

Batman Beyond would fit right into the Dcu, should James Gunn be open to it Batman Beyond || Credit: WB

James Gunn made it clear that while he is interested in the animated side of the Dcu,...

Welcome to the 176th edition of Adventure(s) Time, where we examine beloved animated series and their comic cousins. This week, the protean menace of the animated Scarecrow, and the obscure comic that might've inspired two of his schemes. If you have any suggestions for the future, let me hear them. Just contact me on Twitter.

A classic Batman foe that dates all the way back to September 1941's World's Finest Comics #3, Scarecrow can count none other than Bat-dads Bill Finger and Bob Kane as his creators. Inspired by The Legend of Sleepy Hollow's Ichabod Crane, the lanky villain appeared only twice in the Golden Age before being resurrected by Gardner Fox and Sheldon Moldoff in February 1967's Batman #189. Scarecrow never made an appearance on the live-action Adam West series, oddly enough, even though he was reintroduced at the height of '60s "Bat-mania." But he did later show...

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What's the best superhero TV show? Satirical gorefest "The Boys" has been a smash hit, and in 2024, Marvel Studios released one of its best projects ever with "X-Men '97." But for a lot of other geeks, the answer to this question is still one of the classics.

For as much stock as you can put in IMDb, the site's list of highest user-rated TV shows puts "Batman: The Animated Series" in 24th place. With a rating of 9/10, it's the highest ranking superhero program on the list. "Batman" is also the sixth-highest ranking animated series after "Avatar: The Last Airbender" (which also featured Mark Hamill voicing a super-villain), "Bluey," "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood," "Rick and Morty," and "Attack on Titan."

Created by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, "Batman: The Animated Series" debuted in 1992 and ran for 85 episodes. The show spawned a whole DC Animated Universe,...

Marvel and DC Comics have both cultivated fandom with a shared universe between series. This web of continuity entangles young minds, who come to see the comics not merely as pulp adventures, but gateways to a whole other world whose history they could study and master. Then, superheroes took over 21st century Hollywood by importing this same storytelling model. But the first major superhero cinematic universe debuted on the small screen, not the silver one. Yes, before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there was the DC Animated Universe (Dcau). A series of interconnected cartoons with overlapping cast and crew, the Dcau ran for 14 years from 1992 to 2006.

That long run would've been impossible without the people who made these cartoons. The first Dcau cartoon, "Batman: The Animated Series," was co-created by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski. Timm's distinctive art style (like Jack Kirby meets pin-up girl posters) became the Dcau standard.

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This January, we are getting a ton of great shows on various streaming services, from the animated Spider-Man coming to Disney+ to the much anticipated second season of the incredibly popular Netflix series The Night Manager. So, we are here to sort out all of the brilliant upcoming shows that you might want to check out.

Mayfair Witches Season 2 (AMC+) Release Date: January 4 Credit – AMC

Mayfair Witches is a gothic horror supernatural thriller drama series created by Michelle Ashford and Esta Spalding. Based on the Lives of the Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice, Season 2 of the AMC series continues the story of Rowan Fielding as she embraces the darkness within her. Mayfair Witches stars Alexandra Daddario, Jen Richards, Jack Huston, Annabeth Gish, Harry Hamlin, and Tongayi Chirisa.

American Primeval (Netflix) Release Date: January 9 Credit – Netflix

American Primeval is...

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Max is ready with an entertainment-packed January next year. The upcoming month will see the return of some of Max’s brilliant original adult animated superhero dark comedy-drama series Harley Quinn, and also a new original medical drama series The Pitt. Just like every month, Max is ready to overload you with great content. So, we’re here to tell you about the 5 new movies and TV shows coming to Max in January 2025.

The Front Room (January 3) Credit – A24

The Front Room is a psychological horror drama film written and directed by Max and Sam Eggers. Based on the 2016 short story of the same name by Susan Hill, the 2024 film follows Belinda, a newly pregnant young woman whose mother-in-law suddenly moves in with them and tries to get control over the unborn child, and now it’s up to Belinda to create boundaries.

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2024 hasn’t been that great of a year for Prime Video, as the second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power failed to make up for its abysmal first season and continued its streak of huge disappointment. That doesn’t mean there were no great shows on Prime Video this year. So, we compiled a list comprising the 10 best original prime video shows of 2024.

The Boys Season 4 (Watch Now) Credit – Prime Video

The Boys is a satirical superhero action dark comedy-drama series created by Eric Kripke. Based on the comic book of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, the Prime Video series returned for its much anticipated Season 4 this year and continues the Boys’ story as they continue their fight against the Supes. The Boys stars Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr,...

Batman: The Animated Series stands as one of the most iconic and influential pieces of Batman media, celebrated for its masterful portrayals of key elements from the Dark Knight’s lore—including one of the most beloved depictions of the Batmobile. Though the series ended nearly 30 years ago, its legacy endures, as evidenced by the newest Batman comic series officially welcoming the BtAS Batmobile design into its canon.

Though the Batmobile may not be a central focus of the Dark Patterns narrative, small, faithful details like this elevate the comic...

Dan Watters, Hayden Sherman, Tríona Farrell, and Frank Cvetkovic's Batman: Dark Patterns #1 kicks off the Caped Crusader's latest mini-series with a strong debut. Set during the early years of Batman's career, the story follows him as he investigates four mysterious cases while striving to establish himself as Gotham’s protector.

The early-years setting packs the comic with a heavy dose of nostalgia,...

“Harley Quinn”, the ‘adult’ animated comedy TV series, based on the DC Comics character created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, streams Season Five January 16, 2025 on Max:

‘…the series follows the adventures of degenerate ‘Harley Quinn’ and her journey of ‘self-discovery’ after breaking up with the ‘Joker’ upon realizing that he never loved her.

“Now Harley intends to make a name for herself in the ‘Gotham City' underworld, starting with the formation of her own crew, including best friend ‘Poison Ivy’, ‘Clayface’, ‘Doctor Psycho’, ‘King Shark’ and ‘Sy Borgman’.

“During her inane attempts to prove herself as a villain, Harley faces her troubled past, gains self-confidence that helps her abolish the Joker's influence on her, and finds an autonomous identity…”

Click the images to enlarge…...