This year marks the 25th anniversary of Batman: The Animated Series‘ finale, but the show lives on in the new Batman: The Adventures Continue digital-first comic book series. Series co-creator Paul Dini and longtime show writer/producer Alan Burnett lead the way, joined by artist Ty Templeton who drew some previous comics based on the cartoon.
This week, DC released the second chapter of Batman: The Adventures Continue – with the caped crusader fighting Lex Luthor but another, even more menacing DC villain lurking in the shadows.
Newsarama had the chance to talk to Dini and Templeton about the return of the popular Batman franchise, discussing the reason for the cartoon’s return as a comic, what new characters we can expect from this iteration, and if there are any other DC animated TV properties the creators would like to bring back to life in the form of a comic book.
Newsarama: Paul, what made you want to return to this world of Batman: The Animated Series?
Self-portrait
Credit: Paul Dini
Paul Dini: The chance to work with Alan Burnett again after five years was one I couldn’t pass up. The second we started talking about Batman, the same excitement came back from 28 years ago. We both have a lot of affection for the characters. It’s great to know that we will always have new stories to tell, and new characters to add to Batman’s ongoing saga.
Nrama: And Ty, what made you want to jump on board to the project?
Self-portrait
Credit: Ty Templeton
Ty Templeton: That’s easy. I am, and have been, for my entire life, a Batman fan. I’m quite honoured and pleased whenever I’m invited to Gotham City to work on his adventures. For the last 30 years or so, I come when Mayor Hill or Commissioner Gordon calls. And the Adventures-verse is in a three-way tie for my pick as the best version of the character. Since I’m not Denny O’Neill or Neal Adams, I can’t work on that version, and I’m not Bill Finger and Dick Sprang.
Nrama: Was there a character you were desperate to return to and dig deeper into?
Dini: We both agreed if we did this, the overarching story should begin and end with Batman. As great as his allies and enemies are, we didn’t want them stealing the show. Like Mask of the Phantasm, we wanted this story to deal with the choices Batman/Bruce Wayne has made throughout his life for better or for worse, and how he deals with those ramifications.
Of course, you’ll see a host of classic villains – Bane, Firefly, Scarecrow, Joker, and Harley Quinn to name a few. It’s fun to catch up with them too after so long.
Nrama: How did you try to modernize the look of the franchise?
Templeton: I’m not sure I’m trying to “modernize” the look. I’m more interested in evoking the look and feel of the series that last time we all checked in with their world. Since it’s a digital-first comic book, it’s “modern” in the layout and distribution, but I’m hoping there’s some “old school goodness” in our project. The original series was kind of timeless, with computers and robots existing next to 1940s cars and 1930s architecture. I’ve kept to that sensibility as best I can.
Nrama: Were there any Bat Family members we didn’t see on the show you wanted to add to the book?
Templeton: Yeah! And that’s exactly what we’re doing! The entire purpose of this revisit to Gotham is to include characters like Jason Todd, or Deathstroke, or the Batman Who Laughs or Azreal into the story. And I think we’re going to get to all of ’em and so many more, by the time this is all done.
My special, just-for-me DC character that I wanted to see in the animated universe was Boston Brand/Deadman, and I got to introduce him in the Adventures comics of the early aughts. Would it be nice if he dropped by this series? Maybe. I’m not telling….
Nrama: Which character from the show were you most excited to bring to life again?
Templeton: The actual answer is all of them, from Bruce and the gang, right down to the bats that fly around his basement. But if there’s one, just one, that I have to single out, it’s Alfred. He’s currently passed away in the “main” continuity, but we have him in the pink, inserting himself sarcastically and serving sandwiches in the background of darn near every scene. I’m very fond of the British butler fellow, and delight in drawing him for some reason. But also Batman.
Nrama: If you could draw a title for one of the other DC animated shows, which one would it be for?
Templeton: I got a real kick out of the animated Krypto show from about seven or eight years ago. It featured Ace, Krypto, and Streaky! Three of my favourite costumed house pets in one show! DC did a bunch of animated comics, but I was otherwise engaged, and didn’t get a chance to work on it.
Also: Young Justice, but of course.