Warning: Article contains mention of suicide.
Batman: The Animated Series is lauded for its mature themes and complex storytelling, but one rejected episode would have been its darkest. The show aired from 1992-1995 and won four Emmys. Although taking inspiration from the Gothic tone of Tim Burton’s Batman films, the series was particularly inspired by the noir approach of the original comics, delivering one of the best interpretations of the Dark Knight onscreen.
Starring Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne/Batman, the show sees its hero regularly battle his infamous rogues' gallery, most notably Mark Hamill’s Joker. Batman: The Animated Series is praised for redefining several villains, lending them tragic origins. The Bat-Family of two Robins and Batgirl was also introduced to explore both the thrills and dangers of working with Batman. This is something that hasn’t been properly depicted in live-action, with more violent versions lacking a sidekick to reign in Batman.
Speaking on Batman: The Animated Podcast with Justin Michael, writer David Wise gave a detailed account of his rejected story that could have “brought down the wrath of God on the series”. Called “The Darkest Knight”, the episode follows a drugged Batman being pushed to the limit by Hitler Youths and threatening the rogues’ gallery with a suicide vest. It may sound too sinister for Batman: The Animated Series, but the story is anchored by Robin’s faith in his mentor, with the sidekick rushing to prevent any bloodshed - a stark contrast with Batman killing criminals in live-action.
Lured to a meeting point under the ruse of the mayor being kidnapped, Batman is gassed by a paramilitary group likened to Hitler Youths. The mastermind is a rich right-wing extremist, who believes Batman isn't going far enough in protecting Gotham. The gas compels Batman to attack his friends and drop a mugger from a rooftop, brainwashed into enacting a new, brutal war on crime. The episode culminates in Batman beckoning his rogues' gallery to Gotham's stadium, where he plans to kill everyone by detonating a vest strapped with TNT. Although Wise says he "would never do this story in this day and age", he still loves the idea of exploring what happens when Batman loses control, and his allies fear he may need to be institutionalized along with his enemies. The suicide vest may be a step too far, especially for the definitive Batman: The Animated Series, but incorporating a far-right militia would work strangely well in today's political climate.
Wise contends that Robin prevents the Batman: The Animated Series episode from being too bleak, as the sidekick never loses hope for his mentor. He visits the Joker in Arkham Asylum, manipulating the clown into divulging information on the gas to develop an antidote. Wise describes the Joker’s entrance, wheeled in on a gurney and wearing a straitjacket like Hannibal Lecter. He taunts Robin about how Batman ruined his life, brilliantly confronting the flawed nature of the Dark Knight. Robin eventually manipulates the Joker into helping and ultimately saves Batman during an emotional showdown, proving how important the Bat-Family is in keeping their leader in check. Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, and Ben Affleck’s interpretations all lack a partner to help ground the vigilante’s actions. This plays into Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’s story, suggesting Batman begins killing after Robin’s death, but none of the films fully depict the hero coming to terms with his violent nature, often callously attacking or murdering criminals.
“The Darkest Knight” was perhaps too intense for Batman: The Animated Series, despite the crime fighter never killing anyone. However, the rejected episode was also willing to confront Batman’s actions in a way the live-action films haven’t addressed. Robin’s involvement lends the story much-needed heart, supporting the notion that the Bat-Family would have been the antidote to the coldness of some of the live-action Batman films.
