When Batman: The Animated Series debuted in September of 1992, it was critically praised for its animation and its action-packed drama. Cartoons had always been made for children but this series resonated with both kids and adults alike. The series had in-depth stories, well-explored characters, and action sequences that were so good that multiple films would be adapted from the series itself.
BTAS had so many well-oiled parts that made the whole machine work. The animation was really well done for the time, the stories were written by Batman experts and the casting department chose the right performers for the characters. The voice actors for each character seemed to really understand who they were portraying and these cartoon characters were brought to life. Even the smaller roles were perfectly cast and it added to the realism of the whole series, however, some of the recurring voice actors performed at a higher level.
10 Mr. Freeze/Dr. Victor Fries: Michael Ansara’s Performance Was Cold And Calculating But Showed Signs Of Real Heart
“Heart Of Ice” is an episode of BTAS that won a Daytime Emmy! A cartoon based on a comic book character won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing. It wasn’t just the writing that helped the series win the award. Michael Ansara’s performance was cold and calculating but showed signs of real heart.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a legend but his Mr. Freeze was a comedic figure and can’t hold an icicle compared to Mr. Ansara. Freeze is a tragic figure, who robs banks and jewelry to keep his wife alive, and Ansara’s monotone voice was perfect for a cold-blooded criminal, who only cared for his frozen love. Ansara was so good at voicing Mr. Freeze that a feature animated film, Batman and Mr. Freeze: SubZero, was made for the character.
9 Catwoman/Selina Kyle: Adrienne Barbeau Had A Soft And Soothing Voice But Could Turn Up The Anger And Sarcasm
Catwoman or Selina Kyle has been a part of Batman and Bruce Wayne’s life for a long time. BTAS explored more of their complicated history as crimefighters and as romantic partners. Adrienne Barbeau had a soft and soothing voice but could turn up the anger and sarcasm, which made her Catwoman really a cut above the rest.
Selina Kyle, like Mr. Freeze, usually has good intentions for her criminal activities and Barbeau could play both sides of the fence. Her voice commanded respect for Catwoman but also left the viewers wondering if Catwoman would double-cross Batman, Nightwing, Batgirl, or any hero she was “helping.” That’s the perfect portrayal of the ferocious feline.
8 Harley Quinn/Dr. Harleen Quinzel: This Role Showed Arleen Sorkin’s Range As A Voice Actress
BTAS is where it all started for Harley Quinn. Created as a girlfriend and sidekick of the Joker, Harley broke out as a star herself. Arleen Sorkin really turned up the chaos with her childish voice, which would grab anyone’s attention. She could be funny, angry, and sad in a matter of moments, showing Sorkin’s range as a voice actress.
Harley became so popular that she was featured in a Batgirl comic book and has been portrayed in animated and live-action films. Sorkin would portray Harley in the successful Arkham video game series and many other animated series and games. Margot Robbie portrays Harley in the DCEU and bases her performance on Sorkin’s work, which shows how influential she was.
7 Poison Ivy/Dr. Pamela Isley: Diane Pershing Was Believable As A Lovely Yet Poisonous Supervillain
Poison Ivy really bloomed as a character during Batman: The Animated Series. Diane Pershing was wonderful as the powerful plant lady. She had a soft and serious voice, which made her one of the more alluring characters in animation history.
Pershing could make men fall in love with Ivy and eventually lure them into her venus fly trap. She was believable as a lovely yet poisonous supervillain. Pershing and Arleen Sorkin played off of each other so well, making their Harley and Ivy episode one of the best in the series. Pershing continued voicing Poison Ivy for The New Batman Adventures and Justice League.
6 Alfred Pennyworth: Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Was Able To Bring Charm And Humor To The Role
Batman couldn’t find his cape without his loyal butler, Alfred. BTAS cast the talented Clive Revill as Alfred for the first four episodes but after Revill moved on to new projects, he was replaced by the multitalented Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Revill did a nice job but came off a little too cartoony and almost sounded like he’d be a perfect Alfred for a 1960s Batman cartoon, not a 1990s one.
Efrem was able to bring charm and humor to the role, which are needed characteristics for Batman’s faithful servant. He also provided some of the funniest lines in the entire series and played Alfred in the feature animated films Subzero and Mask of the Phantasm.
5 Robin/Dick Grayson: Loren Lester Brought A Mature But Youthful Charm To The Boy Wonder
Robin has been attached to Batman since 1940 and was always portrayed as a much younger character. Burt Ward did a good job for the less serious 1960s television series but it was nice to finally see a college-age Dick Grayson team with the Dark Knight. Loren Lester brought a mature but youthful charm to the Boy Wonder. His delivery for some of Robin’s one-liners hit perfectly and made the viewers laugh out loud.
Lester would always bring a lot of charisma and wit to Robin but in the episode “Robin’s Reckoning” he was able to free his wings and showed that Robin could be as tough and gritty as Batman. The pain Robin feels in that episode was due to Lester’s amazing performance. He would continue voicing Dick Grayson in The New Batman Adventures as Nightwing and even returned for the 2017 animated feature, Batman and Harley.
4 Two-Face/Harvey Dent: Richard Moll Nailed Both Sides Of This Character
Two-Face is a complex character that requires at least two personalities. BTAS cast the great Richard Moll, who brought respect and spirit for District Attorney Harvey Dent, but was able to change on a two-sided dime to the angry Big Bad Harv. The episode “Two-Face” showed the deep and dark fall of Harvey Dent. Before he was scarred, Harvey was in anger management for his other personality, Big Bad Harv.
Moll’s ability to go from a respectable politician to a deeply disturbed man was outstanding and made the fans really feel Harvey’s pain. When his face is burnt, Big Bad Harv consumed Harvey, leading to the creation of Two-Face. Moll would be a staple on the series and provided some of the most frightening but also funniest moments.
3 Commissioner Jim Gordon: Bob Hastings Brought Both Fire And Calmness To The Role
Commissioner Gordon and Batman’s relationship has varied throughout comics, television, and movies but they usually share a disdain for criminal behavior. BTAS showed the caped crusader and Gordon working seamlessly together so it was important to have a strong voice as Gotham’s Commish.
Bob Hastings, a radio and film actor, was cast in the role and he delivered one of the most popular takes on Gordon in the history of Batman. Hastings brought fire and strength to Gordon’s police work but could also show humor and calmness, especially when a giant man dressed as a Bat would come in and out of his office window.
2 Batman/Bruce Wayne: Kevin Conroy Is Considered To Be The Definitive Batman
The Man. The Myth. The Legend. Considered by some to be the best Batman of all time, Kevin Conroy started voicing Batman in 1992 in BTAS and is still working on Batman projects in 2021! Conroy’s deep voice was a perfect match for the Caped Crusader and matched the animated portrayal perfectly. He also played a great Bruce Wayne because he could raise the pitch of his voice, act funny, and sounded like a billionaire playboy who’s a bit aloof.
Conroy’s popularity is still at an all-time high in 2021 and he has starred in darker adaptions of the character in The Killing Joke, Justice League, and the Arkham video games. Conroy was even brought into live-action as Batman in the CW’s Crisis On Infinite Earths. It’s no surprise that he’s thought, by some, to be the definitive Batman.
1 The Joker/ Jack Napier: Mark Hamill’s Joker Is Truly Iconic
Actor Mark Hamill wanted a completely different role than that of a Jedi and he found it in The Clown Prince Of Crime. Mark Hamill’s Joker is beloved by Batman fans all around the world, thanks to his voice-changing ability that fits all of The Joker’s personality traits.
Hamill can go from being the funniest character to sounding truly dangerous at the drop of a purple hat. He is a true pro and has been the perfect foil to Kevin Conroy’s Batman. While Heath Ledger and Jack Nicholson’s Joker are iconic, there’s no denying the longevity of Mark Hamill, and his take on the hilarious and heinous Joker may end up having the last laugh.
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