Batman: The Animated Series is one of the most iconic interpretations of the Batman mythos. It ruled the animated TV scene in the '90s and continues to be beloved by fans everywhere. While this show was marketed as a children's show, it certainly didn't act like it at times.

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Batman: TAS showed Batman and his villains in one of the most authentic ways ever. The show pulled zero punches and went all out on telling adult stories in the context of a kids' show. This is part of the reason that the series stands up to the test of time.

8 The "Death" Of Barbara Gordon

Batgirl death in the animated series

An absolutely devastating moment of the show is when Batgirl is pushed off a rooftop and falls directly onto Commissioner Gordon's car. It is at this moment her father discovers that his daughter is Batgirl, just as she dies in his arms.

Overcome with rage and grief, Gordon launches an all-out offensive against Batman. Watching Barbara die and seeing Jim turn on his long-time ally with such vengeance is almost too much for fans to take. In the end, though, these are just Batgirl's nightmares that are fuelled by Scarecrow's fear toxin.

7 Batman Questioning His Purpose

batman-greiving-i-am-the-night

One of the toughest things for fans to see is their favorite hero questioning themselves and their life as a hero. In the storyline "I Am The Night," that is just what Batman does. After a series of failures, one that ends with Gordon being shot, Bruce Wayne wonders if he has done any good in Gotham; Whether him being Batman has changed anything or only made things worse.

In a fit of emotion, he even trashes the Batcave and screams into the void. This is a dark moment for the show, Batman has given up and Gotham is worse off for it. It takes an impassioned speech from Robin for him to finally see past his failures to the good he has done.

6 The Devotion Of Harley Quinn Causes her immense pain

Mad Love: Joker abuses Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn's story is an upsetting one. She falls in love and it ends up being the worst thing that could have ever happened to her. Her devotion to Joker is what causes her the most pain. She is first introduced into the Batman mythos in Batman: TAS and it's a dark piece of history for the program.

In the storyline "Mad Love," she tries to kill Batman for Mister J and he repays her by throwing her out a window. Yet in the end, she still wants to come back to him and sees all he does as an act of love.

5 Tim Drake's Tragic Life as Joker Jr.

Tim Drake As Joker Jr

Although Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker didn't take place in the Batman: TAS show, it still follows along with the same timeline so it is worth mentioning. In one of the most twisted acts in the Batman: TAS canon, the Joker destroys Tim Drake's life. He kidnaps him and then transforms him into Joker Jr.

Even once Tim is returned to his normal self, this event haunts him for the rest of his life. The most horrific moment is when Tim, as Joker Jr., breaks down crying. Since he is also the Joker, it comes out as a haunting laughing/crying mashup.

4 Bruce's Fantasy: Life Without Batman — Bruce attempts to kill himself by leaping off a building

Perchance to dream: Wayne holds Batman

Fans and writers love to ask the question of what would Bruce Wayne be like without Batman. "Perchance To Dream," deals with just that question. Bruce remembers being Batman, but everything in his life is ideal and contradicts all he remembers.

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He realizes it is a fake reality and in order to escape, he attempts to kill himself by leaping off a building. Bruce is devastated to know that despite the perfect world he is trapped in, he needs to return to the waking nightmare that is his reality.

3 Robin's Reckoning — Dick Grayson deals with his painful past

batman-tas-robins-reckoning

Robin, aka Dick Grayson, is not always seen as a tragic character. He is hidden behind quips and bright colors but underneath all of it is a dark history. "Robin's Reckoning" takes viewers on a ride that explores Robin's story.

It starts with the murder of his family in front of him and ends with him tracking down the man who did it. He is faced with the heavy choice of vengeance or justice. As much as Robin wants to kill the man who ruined his family, he decides that is one line he cannot cross.

2 Mr. Freeze In Heart Of Ice — Mister Freeze did everything he could to save his wife

Heart of ice: Mr. Freeze holding a snow globe

Batman: TAS revitalized the character of Mister Freeze, making him less corny, far more in-depth, and intense. "Heart Of Ice" explores many elements of Mister Freeze's life, but specifically his relationship with his wife Nora. The show was the first place where Nora was introduced and she changed the villain's character.

Mister Freeze did everything he could to save his wife, he destroyed his body and entered a life of crime all for her. She was a sympathetic motive for his crimes and helped turn a cold emotionless villain into a fully fleshed out and multi-dimensional character.

1 The Life & Death Of Annie — there is nothing that Robin can do about it

Robin Annie in Growing Pains Batman Animated Series

Tim Drake goes through yet another tragedy while serving as Robin. This time it involves a small girl named Annie. She came to Robin pleading for help, begging him to save her from her abusive father. It turns out that she is a sentient part of Clayface and he is her "father."

Clayface reabsorbs Annie, effectively murdering this small, defenseless child and there is nothing that Robin can do about it. It is a truly nightmarish moment for the show that goes a step further than most other kids' shows will go.

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