Batman: The Animated Series Deluxe Limited Edition Box Set – Review!

The Batman: The Animated Series Deluxe Limited Edition contains all 109 episodes (22-minutes each) from the famous series along with two animated films, a whole bunch of extra features, three Funko Pops, and collectible images.

I was provided free Blu-ray discs of Batman: The Animated Series for review from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. I also bought the entire Deluxe Limited Edition box myself to give you a complete review. The opinions are my own.  

Batman: The Animated Series, debuting back in 1992, showed everyone how comic book-based content could feature complex characters and plotlines appealing to both kids and adults. No wonder it is considered a classic and many fans wish the world of animation could go back to that era.

The show also introduced everyone to Kevin Conry as the voice of Batman and Mark Hamil as the Joker. It also served as the debut of Harley Quinn (Arleen Sorkin) who was then added to the DC Comics canon and went on to become one of the most popular fictional characters.

Some of you might already know how the first 65 of the 109 episodes aired on Fox Kids as Batman: The Animated Series (Season One), with 20 more (Season Two) as The Adventures of Batman & Robin, and the final 24 aired on Kids’ WB as The New Batman Adventures (Season Three). The episodes were released on DVD back in 2004, but they went out of print.

Now, in 2018, fans can own both animated films (Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero and Batman: Mask of the Phantasm) as well as all of the episodes through the Batman: The Complete Animated Series box set.

Opening Batman: The Complete Animated Series Deluxe Limited Edition box set was a treat. The packaging is top notch for such an item. You are able to see the three Pocket Pops of Batman, Harley, and the Joker through a window. I would have preferred a Catwoman Pop instead of Harley, but oh well.

All of the Blu-ray discs are in an awesome cover which is designed to look like a book. You open the book to access the disc you want. Each disc’s packaging is accompanied by an episode list and the extra content it has. There’s some cool artwork on the pages.

Let’s break the discs down!

Season One – Disc One

• 01 – On Leather Wings (Man-Bat)
• 02 – Christmas with the Joker (The Joker, Robin)
• 03 – Nothing to Fear (The Scarecrow)
• 04 – The Last Laugh (The Joker)
• 05 – Pretty Poison (Poison Ivy)
• 06 – The Underdwellers (Sewer King)
• 07 – P.O.V. (The Drug Lord)
• 08 – The Forgotten (Boss Biggis)
• 09 – Be a Clown (The Joker)
• 10 – Two-Face Part One (Rupert Thorne)
• 11 – Two-Face Part Two (Rupert Thorne, Two-Face)
• 12 – It’s Never Too Late (Rupert Thorn, Arnold Stormwell)
• 13 – I’ve Got Batman in My Basement (The Penguin)
  • Audio Commentary for On Leather Wings with Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski
  • A Conversation with Bruce Timm: On Leather Wings (SD – 1:49)
  • A Conversation with Bruce Timm: Christmas with the Joker (SD – 1:41)
  • A Conversation with Bruce Timm: Nothing to Fear (SD – 2:47)
  • A Conversation with Bruce Timm: The Last Laugh (SD – 1:14)
  • A Conversation with Bruce Timm: Pretty Poison (SD – 3:07)
  • The Dark Knight’s First Night Pilot Promo: Hosted by Bruce Timm (SD – 5:03)

Season One – Disc Two

• 14 – Heart of Ice (Mr. Freeze, Ferris Boyle)
• 15 – The Cat and the Claw Part One (Catwoman, Red Claw)
• 16 – The Cat and the Claw Part Two (Catwoman, Red Claw)
• 17 – See No Evil (Lloyd Ventrix)
• 18 – Beware the Gray Ghost (The Mad Bomber, The Grey Ghost)
• 19 – Prophecy of Doom (Nostromos, Lucus)
• 20 – Feat of Clay Part One (Roland Daggett, Clayface)
• 21 – Feat of Clay Part Two (Roland Daggett, Clayface)
• 22 – Joker’s Favor (The Joker, Harley Quinn)
• 23 – Vendetta (Killer Croc)
• 24 – Fear of Victory (Robin, The Scarecrow)
• 25 – The Clock King (The Clock King)
• 26 – Appointment in Crime Alley (Roland Daggett)
  • Audio Commentary for Heart of Ice with Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, and Eric Radomski
  • Batman: The Legacy Continues Retrospective (SD – 18:03)
  • Tour of the Batcave (SD – 4 parts – 2:49 in all)

Season One – Disc Three

• 27 – Mad as a Hatter (The Mad Hater)
• 28 – Dreams in Darkness (The Scarecrow)
• 29 – Eternal Youth (Poison Ivy)
• 30 – Perchance to Dream (Robin, Catwoman, The Mad Hatter)
• 31 – The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy (Josiah Wormwood)
• 32 – Robin’s Reckoning Part One (Robin, Tony Zucco, Arnold Stormwell)
• 33 – Robin’s Reckoning Part Two (Robin, Tony Zucco)
• 34 – The Laughing Fish (The Joker, Harley Quinn)
• 35 – Night of the Ninja (Kyodai Ken)
• 36 – Cat Scratch Fever (Catwoman, Roland Daggett, Professor Milo)
• 37 – The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne (Hugo Strange, The Joker, Two-Face, The Penguin)
• 38 – Heart of Steel Part One (HARDAC)
• 39 – Heart of Steel Part Two (HARDAC)
  • Audio Commentary for Robin’s Reckoning Part One by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski
  • Audio Commentary for Heart of Steel Part Two by Bruce Timm, Eric Radomski, and Kevin Altieri
  • Robin Rising: How the Boy Wonder’s Character Evolved (SD – 8:24)
  • Gotham’s Guardians: The Stalwart Supporting Characters (SD – 10:15)

Season One – Disc Four

• 40 – If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Rich? (Riddler, Robin)
• 41 – Joker’s Wild (The Joker, Cameron Kaiser)
• 42 – Tyger, Tyger (Emile Dorian)
• 43 – Moon of the Wolf (The Werewolf, Professor Milo)
• 44 – Day of the Samurai (Kyodai Ken)
• 45 – Terror in the Sky (Man-Bat, She-Bat)
• 46 – Almost Got ‘Im (The Joker, Harley Quinn, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, The Penguin)
• 47 – Birds of a Feather (The Penguin)
• 48 – What Is Reality? (The Riddler)
• 49 – I Am the Night (The Jazzman)
• 50 – Off Balance (Count Vertigo, Talia al Ghul)
• 51 – The Man Who Killed Batman (The Joker, Harley Quinn, Rupert Thorne)
• 52 – Mudslide (Clayface)
  • Audio Commentary for Almost Got ‘Im by Bruce Timm, Eric Radomski, and Paul Dini
  • Voices of the Knight (SD – 8:08)

Season One – Disc Five

• 53 – Paging the Crime Doctor (Rupert Thorne)
• 54 – Zatanna (Montague Kane)
• 55 – The Mechanic (The Penguin)
• 56 – Harley and Ivy (The Joker, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy)
• 57 – Shadow of the Bat Part One (Batgirl, Two-Face, Rupert Thorne, Gil Mason)
• 58 – Shadow of the Bat Part Two (Batgirl, Two-Face, Gil Mason)
• 59 – Blind As a Bat (The Penguin)
• 60 – The Demon’s Quest Part One (Robin, Ra’s al Ghul, Talia al Ghul)
• 61 – The Demon’s Quest Part Two (Robin, Ra’s al Ghul, Talia al Ghul)
• 62 – His Silicon Soul (HARDAC, Duplicate Batman)
• 63 – Fire from Olympus (Maxie Zeus)
• 64 – Read My Lips (The Ventriloquist)
• 65 – The Worry Men (The Mad Hatter)
  • Audio Commentary on Harley and Ivy by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Eric Radomski, and Boyd Kirkland
  • Audio Commentary on Read My Lips by Bruce Timm, Michael Reaves, Boyd Kirkland, and Shirley Walker
  • Gotham’s New Knight (SD – 7:40)

Season Two – Disc One

As I have already mentioned, these episodes aired under the new title The Adventures of Batman & Robin.

• 01 – Sideshow (Killer Croc)
• 02 – A Bullet for Bullock (Vinnie the Shark)
• 03 – Trial (The Joker, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, The Mad Hatter, Poison Ivy, The Riddler, The Scarecrow, Two-Face, The Ventriloquist)
• 04 – Avatar (Ra’s al Ghul, Talia al Ghul)
• 05 – House & Garden (Robin, Poison Ivy)
• 06 – The Terrible Trio (Robin, The Terrible Trio)
• 07 – Harlequinade (Robin, The Joker, Harley Quinn, Boxy Bennett)
• 08 – Time Out of Joint (Robin, The Clock King)
• 09 – Catwalk (Catwoman, The Ventriloquist)
• 10 – Bane (Robin, Killer Croc, Candice, Rupert Thorne)
  • Audio Commentary on Harlequinade by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Shirley Walker, and Eric Radomski
  • Video Commentary on House & Garden by Bruce Timm, Boyd Kirkland, and Paul Dini (SD – 22:18)

Season Two – Disc Two

• 11 – Baby Doll (Robin, Baby Doll)
• 12 – The Lion and the Unicorn (Robin, Red Claw)
• 13 – Showdown (Robin, Ra’s al Ghul, Arcady Duvall)
• 14 – Riddler’s Reform (Robin, The Riddler)
• 15 – Second Chance (Robin, Two-Face, The Penguin, Rupert Thorne)
• 16 – Harley’s Holiday (Robin, Harley Quinn, Boxy Bennett)
• 17 – Lock-Up (Robin, Lock-Up, The Ventriloquist, Scarface, Scarecrow, Harley Quinn)
• 18 – Make ‘Em Laugh (Robin, The Joker, Condiment King, The Pack Rat, Mighty Mom, The Mad Hatter)
• 19 – Deep Freeze (Robin, Mr. Freeze, Grant Walker)
• 20 – Batgirl Returns (Robin, Batgirl, Catwoman, Roland Daggett)

Season Three – Disc One

These episodes aired under the title The New Batman Adventures. These episodes featured a very different art style than what fans of this series were accustomed to.

• 01 – Holiday Knights (Robin, Batgirl, The Joker, Harley Quinn, Clayface, Poison Ivy)
• 02 – Sins of the Father (Robin, Batgirl, Two-Face)
• 03 – Cold Comfort (Batgirl, Mr. Freeze)
• 04 – Double Talk (Batgirl, The Ventriloquist, Scarface)
• 05 – You Scratch My Back (Batgirl, Nightwing, Catwoman)
• 06 – Never Fear (Robin, The Scarecrow)
• 07 – Joker’s Millions (Robin, Nightwing, The Joker, Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Poison Ivy, Edward “King” Barlow)
• 08 – Growing Pains (Robin, Clayface)
• 09 – Love Is a Croc (Batgirl, Killer Croc, Baby Doll)
• 10 – Torch Song (Batgirl, Firefly)
• 11 – The Ultimate Thrill (The Penguin, Roxy Rocket)
• 12 – Over the Edge (Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, The Scarecrow, Bane, The Mad Hatter, Harley Quinn)
  • Audio Commentary on Over the Edge by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Glen Murakami, and James Ticker
  • Arkham Asylum: Examine the Top-Secret Case Files of the Dark Knight’s Many Foes (SD – 12 parts – 27:41 in all)

Season Three – Disc Two

• 13 – Mean Seasons (Batgirl, Calendar Girl)
• 14 – Critters (Robin, Batgirl, Farmer Brown)
• 15 – Cult of the Cat (Catwoman, Thomas Blake)
• 16 – Animal Act (Robin, Nightwing, The Mad Hatter)
• 17 – Old Wounds (Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, The Joker)
• 18 – The Demon Within (Robin, Klarion the Witch Boy)
• 19 – Legends of the Dark Knight (Robin, The Joker, The Mutants, Firefly)
• 20 – Girls’ Night Out (Batgirl, Supergirl, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Livewire, The Penguin)
• 21 – Mad Love (The Joker, Harley Quinn)
• 22 – Chemistry (Batgirl, Robin, Poison Ivy)
• 23 – Beware the Creeper (Robin, The Creeper, The Joker, Harley Quinn)
• 24 – Judgment Day (Two-Face, The Judge, Killer Croc, The Riddler, The Penguin)
  • Audio Commentary on Critters by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Dan Riba, Glen Murakami, and James Ticker
  • Audio Commentary on Legends of the Dark Knight by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, Dan Riba, Glen Murakami, and James Tucker

Bonus Features

• The Heart of Batman documentary (HD – 3 parts – 98:27 in all)
• Concepting Harley Quinn (SD – 1:28)

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

• Theatrical Presentation (1.85:1)
• Television Presentation (1.33:1)
• Trailer (HD – 1:05)

Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzero

• Film (1.33:1 direct-to-video ratio)
• Batman: TAS – Heart of Ice (in SD)
• Batman: TAS – Deep Freeze (in SD)
• The New Batman Adventures – Cold Comfort (in SD)
• Batman Beyond – Meltdown (in SD)
• Art of Batman: Music Montage (SD – 2:31)
• Get the Picture: How to Draw Batman (SD – :51)
• Trailer (SD – 1:03)

Some of you might have noticed how the bonus features and extras in this box set include the content which was offered in the original Batman: The Complete Animated Series DVD. The only exception is the 22-minute “Shades of the Bat: Batman’s Animated Evolution featurette,” which has been replaced by the new “Heart of Batman” documentary in this box set.

I enjoyed watching the “Heart of Batman” documentary. It includes interviews with Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, Eric Radomski, Paul Dini, Jean McCurdy, Kevin Conroy, Andrea Romano, Tara Strong, and more. It shares a lot of information about the show’s development. I got to know about not many people being interested to work on the series in the beginning, how the voice cast came together, and more.

Batman: The Animated Series Deluxe Limited Edition box set also gives you 7 lenticular animation artwork cards. They come in an envelope. The cards feature the villains. Due to these being lenticular cards, it was a bit difficult for me to take pictures without the artwork looking too blurry.

Of course, my favorite is this one!

A Digital Copy is also included.

The video quality of the episodes is full 1080p HD at the original 1.33:1 TV aspect ratio. The promotional material for the series’ Blu-ray release talked a lot about the video quality, and I have to say Warner Bros. Home Entertainment wasn’t exaggerating. The hand-drawn art looks gorgeous in the new presentation.

The original stereo audio is offered in 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio. I didn’t experience any problems with the track related to dialogue delivery and sound effects. The episodes give you the options to select French or Latin Spanish audio tracks. Optional subtitles are available in English, French, and Latin Spanish.

I know fans who have been waiting for years to watch this show on Blu-ray and WBHE has finally delivered, complete with bonus features, figures, and artwork!

Whether you wish to buy Batman: The Animated Series Deluxe Limited Edition box set for yourself or for a collector friend, it is well worth the price tag. No wonder WBHE had to increase the available units to 70,000.

Feel free to share your thoughts with us.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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