What we want to see in the Batman: The Animated Series Blu-Ray

Warner Bros. has announced that Batman: The Animated Series is being remastered for Blu-Ray, but will it keep things mostly the same?

To the delight of Batman aficionados, ’90s kids, and wannabe ’90s kids the world over, the representative suggested a new BTAS collection is scheduled for release in 2018. The announcement aligns with the 25th anniversary of the series’ September 1992 debut.

Though it aired during after-school hours throughout its three-year run, the show is remembered for its surprisingly complex storylines and characterizations, top-notch voice acting, and for developing the darker side of The Dark Knight — a far cry from the campy, live-action Batman of the 1960s, which starred Adam West.

An integral part of Caped Crusader canon, the series heavily influenced future iterations of Batman by incorporating the snappy, cynical dialogue of classic detective fiction while steeping its characters in visual elements of film noir. The animation style is a deliberate callback to that of the 1940s, during which time the likes of Bogart and Chandler reigned supreme over much of pop culture.

With the help of the digital age, the show has maintained a cult following in the form of Wiki Fandoms, subreddits, think pieces, and of course, YouTube compilations and streaming versions that have probably upset a DMCA agent or two.

As the series comes to a new (legal) platform for the first time in over ten years (the last was a DVD release of three volumes in 2005), some questions remain: When exactly is the release date? Will all 85 episodes be released in one master collection, or will volumes be spread out over multiple years? Could the digital remaster detract from the deliberately gritty visuals of the original?

And, because we all know exclusive special features are the only reason people still buy Blu-Rays, what types of special features can we expect?

Personally, in addition to the usual talking-head actor commentary, we’re hoping for show development trivia, interviews with animators, and a glimpse at first-draft illustrations of The Bat. Perhaps we will even get to find out about some previously unnoticed DC universe Easter eggs?

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At the very least, you’ll soon be able to get your BTAS fix without the help of sketchy streaming sites.