The DC Animated Universe is one of the most loved and critically successful adaptions of the DC Comics characters. While the series contained Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, and Justice League: Unlimited, the DCAU’s most loved properties will always be Batman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond.
Batman Beyond acts as a sequel to Batman: The Animated Series, taking place in the same universe and showing Bruce Wayne, Gotham, and several other supporting characters several decades after the events of Batman: The Animated Series. Here are the 10 best connections between the two.
Talia al Ghul
Talia al Ghul was one of the most important characters in Batman: The Animated Series, with the character appearing in several episodes during the show’s run. As the daughter of Ra’s al Ghul, Talia would often be forced to choose between her love for Bruce Wayne and her loyalty to her father.
Talia al Ghul would also appear (at least in appearance) in Batman Beyond, giving Bruce Wayne the chance to get his youth back via a refined Lazarus Pit. This, however, just turns out to be a ruse in order to restore Ra’s al Ghul.
Hamilton Hill High School
Mayor Hamilton Hill was one of the recurring supporting characters of Batman: The Animated Series, with the character appearing several times throughout the serious, most memorably clashing with the Clock King.
One Easter egg for Mayor Hamilton Hill is that the High School Terry McGinnis attends is named after him, with the school being called Hamilton Hill High School.
Crime Alley
Crime Alley is one of the most important locations in Gotham. While Wayne Manor, Axis Chemicals, and Arkham Asylum are important in their own right, it was Crime Alley that gave birth to Batman.
The alley appears in an episode of Batman Beyond, with Derek Powers plotting to demolish the area with the help of Shriek.
Man-Bat
First appearing as Kirk Langstrom, Man-Bat appeared in the first episode of Batman: The Animated Series. A scientist working with bat DNA, the character would ultimately end up combining his DNA with that of a Bat, turning himself into a giant ‘Man-Bat’.
While there was no overt reference to the character, the episode concerning ‘splicing’ was certainly a nod to the Man-Bat character, with the act of ‘splicing’ allowing humans to combine their DNA with animal DNA to receive animalistic features.
Grey Ghost
The Grey Ghost was one of the best episodes of Batman: The Animated Series. It showed that a great inspiration of Batman’s was a hero from an old serial known as the Grey Ghost, this episode sees Batman work with the actor who used to play the Grey Ghost (voiced by Adam West) in order to stop a villain known as the Mad Bomber.
The costume of the Grey Ghost can be seen in several episodes, but its best moment came when Bruce Wayne donned the costume in order to save Terry McGinnis from Inque.
Jokerz
One of the biggest challenges for the creators of Batman Beyond was to make a series without the incredible foundation of villains such as Joker, Riddler, and Catwoman. The show would ultimately do so, but this isn’t to say that it ignored its past.
One of the first clear references to Batman: The Animated Series was the street gang known as the Jokerz, with the clear reference being to the Clown Prince of Crime.
Future Justice League
While not strictly speaking a direct reference from Batman: The Animated Series to Batman Beyond, the existence of a future Justice League certainly harkens back to the time in which Bruce Wayne’s Batman was in the League.
In several episodes, Superman and the future Justice League appear, with the most notable storyline centering around Batman trying to find a traitor in the Justice League.
Selena Kyle
Selena Kyle’s Catwoman was one of the best characters on Batman: The Animated Series. Her character developed so well across the seasons, showing how the character, despite being a thief, would always help Batman if she had to do so.
While the character wouldn’t appear in Batman Beyond, Bruce Wayne did mention her to Terry McGinnis, suggesting he was going to tell the new Batman what happened with Selena Kyle.
Batcave
The Batcave is, perhaps, the best secret lair of all time. Not only does it store all of the Bat vehicles, but it also has an incredible super-computer, high tech security defenses, and a beautiful gothic design.
Another aspect of the Batcave that makes it so great is the mementos that Batman uses to decorate the cave. In Batman Beyond, we can see Mr. Freeze’s gun, Harley Quinn’s costume, and the various Bat-Family costumes to name but a few.
Arkham Asylum
Arkham Asylum is one of the most intimidating and daunting structures in Gotham City. Not only does the institution have a dark history and creepy gothic design, but it also houses some of the most dangerous Batman villains, with Joker, Two-Face, and Riddler all spending time in the Asylum.
While the Asylum doesn’t appear in the TV series, it does in Return of the Joker, where it is shown to be the place where the Joker meets his end.