The 2004-2008 animated series The Batman is finally receiving a Blu-ray release that packages all five seasons of the show into one handsome collection.
The Batman: The Complete Series, available on Feb. 1, includes all 65 episodes of the cartoon, which originally debuted on Kids' WB and also aired on Cartoon Network. While The Batman's various seasons have been released as DVD sets in the past, this marks the first time that collectors can purchase the entire series on Blu-ray.
The Blu-ray set comes with a variety of special features, including The Dark Dynasty Continues, Joining Forces: The Batman's Legendary Team-Ups and New Look, New Direction, New Knight -- all behind-the-scenes featurettes detailing the work that went into the show. That said, the collection does not appear to include the 2005 tie-in feature film The Batman vs. Dracula.
Starring the voice of Rino Romano as Bruce Wayne, The Batman was produced by the likes of Glen Murakami and Jeff Matsuda, who also worked on Teen Titans and Jackie Chan Adventures, respectively. The series had the tough task of following up the fan-favorite Batman: The Animated Series, which ran from 1992 to 1995 and later continued with its depiction of Batman in The New Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, the later of which aired its final episode in 2006.
To differentiate itself from the version of the Caped Crusader developed by Batman: The Animated Series producer Bruce Timm, The Batman began with the third year of Bruce Wayne's crimefighting career. This noticeably younger version of Batman had an original supporting cast and frequently interacted with Gotham Police Detectives Ellen Yin and Ethan Bennett, who would eventually transform into a version of Clayface.
Later seasons would introduce a wide variety of famous rogues, including some who were portrayed in a markedly untraditional fashion -- such as the Riddler, who bore a resemblance to Marilyn Manson. Eventually, Gotham City mainstays like Commissioner Gordon, Batgirl and Robin showed up, and the show's fifth and final season turned in a team-up affair reminiscent of The Brave and the Bold, with Batman working with Superman, the Flash, Green Arrow and several other superheroes.
Despite not quite achieving the popularity of Batman: The Animated Series, The Batman won six Daytime Emmy Awards and received a spin-off comic, titled The Batman Strikes!, as well as the aforementioned The Batman vs. Dracula, an animated film vaguely inspired by the Elseworlds Batman: Vampire saga that pitted the Caped Crusader against the lord of the undead.
The Batman: The Complete Series goes on sale on Feb. 1, 2022 with an MSRP of $69.99 USD.
Source: Warner Bros. Home Video