With
Batman: The Animated Series recently reaching its 25th anniversary, as well as officially releasing on Blu-Ray, a few members of the cast and crew recently sat down with
Comicsbeat.com to discuss the show's success and lasting impact.
Batman: The Animated Series ran from September of 1992 to September of 1995 and consisted of 85 episodes. The show received widespread acclaim, winning four Emmy awards, for its dark tone and intricate themes. Many including, the voice of Batman on the show itself, Kevin Conroy believe it to be the best adaptation of the popular DC Comics character to date.
Though the show's flawless representation of the Dark Knight isn't its only fondly remembered inclusion. The animated eries saw the debut of, now immensely popular character, Harley Quinn. Producer Alan Burnett and writer Paul Dini were asked what they think of Harley being the show's biggest legacy. Dini explained his thoughts:
I think the best legacy of the show is the show itself and the fact that it keeps coming back. Now it’s to the point where it is almost like a classic, like a Disney classic movie or the Looney Tunes or something like that. And I think Harley is a wonderful bonus part of it. But, like the Looney Tunes,what’s the biggest contribution? Daffy Duck? Porky Pig? Bugs Bunny? I can’t really say, but just the fact that it’s there is great. Certainly it’s grateful to hear somebody like Jim Lee saying ‘well, the the big trio of the DC Universe is now, you know, a foursome because we’ve added Harley with Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman.
Harley Quinn is a frequent accomplice and lover of the Joker, whom she met while working as a psychiatrist at Gotham City's Arkham Asylum, where the Joker was a patient. She was recently adapted into live-action via the 2016 film
Suicide Squad, where she was portrayed by Margot Robbie, and has remained a household name since.
Burnett went into his fondness for the original incarnation of the Joker's sweetheart,
"My heart belongs to the old Harley Quinn. I like that, you know, Brooklyn voice and just her nuttiness. I hope that always stays. As new versions come, they keep coming back to that first. You don’t realize how smart she."
What do you think of the producer and writer's comments? Are you a fan of Harley Quinn? What do you think is the show's biggest legacy?