Batman: The Animated Series - Volume 1 (1992)

basics...
The first DVD volume of the 1990's animated Batman series contains 28 episodes and features the Penguin, the Joker, Catwoman, Clayface, Killer Croc, Two-Face, Mr. Freeze and a whole host of 'colourful' new villains who face off against Bruce Wayne's alter ego. 

brilliant...
I'd only ever seen bits of this series when it first went out years ago, and I'd read so many positive things about the show that I decided to give it a shot - and wow, it's one of the best adaptations of Batman ever. Kevin Conroy's voice-work as the Dark Knight and Bruce sends shivers down your spine, while Efrem Zimbalist Jr's Alfred adds a welcome light touch to a very dark animation - both in terms of the colour and content. The well-known rogues gallery of villains are given new origins (apart from Joker and Penguin, who arrive fully formed and appear to have been pestering Gotham for some time), and new one episode bad guys impress as well. The animation is stunning, Gotham looks suitably gothic, and is equipped with docks, trains, caves, springs, suburbs, anything the script calls for, but always in keeping with the same grimy asthetic. Batman really feels like a detective here rather than a super-hero, which he's not really since he has no superpowers, just the money and strength to outwit the badguys. I hope to watch more of the series soon. 

but...

Aside from a couple of weaker scripts here and there the only weird thing about Batman: The Animated Series is Robin. He popped up in the second episode, then disappeared only to reappear a couple more times. Inbetween-times he's never mentioned and there's no explanation as to a) who Robin is and how he came to be in Batman's life, or b) where he is most of the time, particularly when things look dicey for Batman and he needs assistance. Robin's appearances don't detract from the episodes, but his absence is curious. He really should be there all the time or not, otherwise it's cheating. 

briefly...
The definitive Batman? Very likely, but then Tim Burton's and Christopher Nolan's Dark Knights are also excellent, just different. This Batman certainly stands proud alongside Christian Bale, Michael Keaton and (of course) Adam West, Kevin Conroy is ace.