“Batman: The Animated Series” Episodes That Are, Like, Way Too Dark For Kids

What are the darkest Batman The Animated Series episodes?

In 1992, a group of artists and writers made history. The first episode of Batman The Animated Series aired. And it completely shifted the way we look at superhero narratives. It also garnered critical acclaim and Emmys for its art deco production design. And for its pitch-perfect voice performances. And its dark storylines. But at the same time, it was still a children’s show, just one that happened to get surprisingly real. So, do you want a particularly shadowy trip down memory lane? Then check out the darkest Batman The Animated Series episodes ever. How did these get past the censors?

The Man Who Killed Batman

darkest batman the animated series episodes — IMAGE BY: Batman Wiki

If the big Bat’s gotta go, it would be thanks to one of his regular villains, right? In “The Man Who Killed Batman”, the would-be murderer is a meek criminal named Sidney Debris. Ever heard of him? Neither have the Joker nor Harley Quinn. They force Debris into the center of a perverse “funeral” involving a vat of acid.

Dreams In Darkness

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This episode opens with Batman in a straitjacket, committed to Arkham Asylum. It only gets crazier from there. “Dreams In Darkness” takes advantage of Scarecrow’s fear toxins to a chilling effect. In one sequence, Batman hallucinates the gun that murdered his parents. The barrel points straight at his head.

The Forgotten

Picture a list for “things children’s cartoons probably shouldn’t talk about”. Wouldn’t you put “human slavery” near the top? Batman: The Animated Series ain’t like other children’s cartoons. “The Forgotten” plunges headfirst into an undercover mission gone awry. Bruce Wayne gets amnesia and performs slave labor with countless other prisoners. Luckily, there’s a happy ending.

Read My Lips

Shouldn’t ventriloquist dummies be nice? It ain’t true with Jeff Dunham, it ain’t true with Goosebumps, and it ain’t true with Batman: TAS. In “Read My Lips”, the relationship between puppet and master bends to its breaking point. The ventriloquist and his puppet Scarface engage in terrifying, identity-crisis-laden arguments. The ending will shake you.