The Origins of Batman: The Animated Series – How Fox’s Deal with Warner Bros. Led to the Creation of a Classic Show

The iconic Batman: The Animated Series almost never happened if it weren’t for a strategic move by Warner Bros. and Fox. In a recent interview with animation guru Alan Burnett, the secrets behind the development of the beloved show were revealed.

It all started with negotiations between Warner Bros. and Fox Kids to bring “Tiny Toons” to the network in 1990. Warner Bros. made it clear that if Fox wanted “Toons,” they would have to purchase additional series as well, one of them being Batman. This deal eventually led to the creation of Batman: The Animated Series, a show that is still considered one of the best versions of the Dark Knight to date.

Alan Burnett, who joined the production team to solve story problems, shared his experience working on the show. He mentioned that Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski initially developed the art for the series, but when story issues arose, Burnett was brought in to iron out the plots. With Timm and Radomski focusing on the visual aspects, Burnett was able to delve into the darker and more adult themes of Batman.

Batman: The Animated Series is still hailed as the definitive version of the character by many fans, thanks to the talent and dedication of the team behind it. The show’s success was made possible by Fox’s decision to acquire the rights for a Batman series as part of the deal for “Tiny Toons,” showcasing the importance of strategic partnerships in the world of entertainment.