Writer and animator Paul Dini revealed how he and producer Bruce Timm figured out how to show Batman’s menacing and brooding personality visually with Batman: TAS, and it is a valuable lesson for DC Studios’ chief James Gunn while he looks for the DCU’s Batman.
Dini revealed that while adapting Batman for the animated series, they wanted to portray him as a no-nonsense hero who helps people and vanishes without much talking or preaching (via Anime Superhero).
We did not use the Batman who speaks out every action he’s planning, or gives long-winded dialogue when he’s in a fight. We thought that weakened the character. When Batman’s in a fight, he throws a punch and that’s it.
This tone of secrecy and mystery made Batman much more serious and distinguished him from heroes like Superman. James Gunn is known for his quirky lines and brighter tone. Hence, when he does finally find his Batman for the DCU, he needs to make sure the mystery elements of the Dark Knight remain intact.
Paul Dini’s Visual Treatment for Batman in Batman: TAS Is Why It’s a Classic
Batman: The Animated Series is the definitive version of the character in many ways. While it came on the heels of Tim Burton’s Batman, the show distinguished itself with an interesting visual design and tone, making it unlike previous children’s cartoons at the time. The series explored Bruce Wayne’s psychology like no other adaptation till then.
Paul Dini and Bruce Timm are largely responsible for the show’s creative direction, including the Caped Crusader’s characterization. Unlike previous animated shows of the Adam West era, Kevin Conroy’s Batman was brooding, mysterious, and with fewer words, he could exhibit power over his enemies.
Dini mentioned how they really wanted to showcase this power dynamic visually and without much dialogue. He felt that if the Batman spoke too much, his aura would be diluted.
In his early appearances, we don’t know that much about Batman. He doesn’t speak much. He’ll help people in trouble, but he’s more like this force of nature that comes in and makes a situation right, then vanishes…Batman’s world is very visual. In our show, it’s a stunning and unique visual. If you spend a lot of time with Batman talking and explaining things, that dilutes both him and the power of that world.
He said that it was quite a challenge to navigate through this direction of showing things visually rather than dialogue. However, this direction was the reason why Batman: TAS remains the best of the animated series featuring Batman and is such a pop culture classic.
James Gunn Needs to Maintain Batman’s Secrecy and Discretion in the DCU
With this year’s Superman and Peacemaker season 2, James Gunn’s DCU has finally kicked off to a great start with a cohesive vision, unlike the previous DCEU. While Gunn’s unique tone fits perfectly with media like Peacemaker and Superman, he may have to rely on other creators and filmmakers for DC’s darker stories.
Cracking Batman is essential for the franchise, and while fans already have Matt Reeves’ Batman with Robert Pattinson, the studio chief has made it clear that the films will not be a part of the DCU. This means that Gunn will have to treat the DCU’s Batman differently from Reeves’ ultra-realistic and dark Gotham.
James Gunn’s movies have a tendency to be loud and in your face, even with all the quirks. He has constantly chosen heroes who speak a lot and make the audience laugh with their quirks. However, he cannot do the same with a character like Batman. As Paul Dini said, the more the Caped Crusader talks, the less powerful he becomes.
Gunn has to make sure that he retains the mystery and intrigue of Batman in the DCU. Creature Commandos already established that he exists in the DCU, and the sequence was from the perspective of the criminal underbelly of Gotham, making him quite scary. This treatment would be ideal for the Dark Knight.
Gunn has been heavily involved in the past three projects of the DCU, but seems to be delegating better with films like Supergirl and Clayface. Andy Muschietti was hired to make The Brave and the Bold, and that seemed to be a step in the right direction.
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Batman: TAS is available to stream on HBO Max.
