Batman: The Animated Series (1992) / The New Batman Adventures (1997)
Batman Timeline
BTAS Mask of the Phantasm (Movie):
Andrea Beaumont is one of the few woman that Bruce loved. He almost gave up being a vigilante to marry her however she left since her father had dealings with gang members. Andreas rejection would lead to Bruce committing and becoming Batman. Shows Bruce Wayne’s early days as a vigilante before dressing as Batman. Andrea is still out there and loves Bruce.
Reveals that the Joker was one of the henchman working for the gang members
BTAS Zatanna: introduces Zatanna the magician.
References Bruce’s past before becoming Batman and reveals Bruce’s time training with Zatara, a magician and escape artist, where he meets Zatara’s daughter, Zatanna.
Bruce mentions leaving for Japan which is seen in BTAS episode “Night of the Samurai”
BTAS Night of the Ninja: introduces Kyodai and reveals Batman’s time in Japan as a student in a dojo under Sensei Yoru. Kyodai was a fellow student who tried to steal Sensei Yoru’s sword and was kicked out when Bruce found out
BTAS Day of the Samurai
BTAS Beware the Gray Ghost:
Reveals that Bruce’s hero growing up was the Gray Ghost, a superhero from a TV show of the same name.
Reveals that the Batcave is modeled after the Gray Ghost’s lair
BTAS Appointment in Crime Alley: introduces Leslie Thompkins, a doctor, who comforted Bruce after his parents were killed. Reveals that Bruce visits the location of his parents death on Crime Alley every year and brings two roses.
BTAS I Am the Night: reintroduces Leslie Thompkins and Barbara Gordon. Batman also delivers flowers again on the anniversary of his parents death in Crime Alley
BTAS Paging the Crime Doctor: introduces Matthew Thorne, who is the brother of mobster Rupert Thornes. Reveals that Matthew Thorne, Leslie Thompkins, and Thomas Wayne all went to medical school together and were good friends.
BTAS Robin’s Reckoning 1 & 2: origin story of Dick Grayson and becoming the 1st Robin. It also explores how much Bruce cares about Robin.
BTAS Heart of Steel 1 & 2: introduces Karl Rossum and the origin story of HARDAC, a prototype AI created by Karl Rossum. HARDAC is replacing people with cyborgs. HARDAC also discovers that Bruce Wayne is Batman and hacks the Batcave. Also our first introduction to Barbara Gordon, who is Lieutenant Gordon’s daughter and helps Batman solve the case foreshadowing her eventually becoming Batgirl
BTAS His Silicon Soul: reveals that HARDAC had created a cyborg duplicant of Batman.
BTAS Shadow of the Bat 1 & 2 (POST “Heart of Steel”): Barbara Gordon becomes Batgirl and help Batman and Robin save her father from being framed.
BTAS Batgirl Returns (POST “Feat of Clay” & “Cat Scratch Fever”): features Catwoman and Robin. References the Daggett corporation and the cream that created Clay Face (“Feat of Clay”) as well as the virus that Milo created that almost killed Selena Kyle (“Cat Scratch Fever”)
TNBA Old Wounds:
Tells the story of how Dick Grayson stopped being Robin and had a falling out with Bruce after graduating college.
Reveals when Barbara (who is Batgirl at this point) found out that Bruce is Batman and Dick is Robin
TNBA Sins of the Father:
Origin of how Tim Drake becomes the new Robin. Introduces Tim Drake, son of Steven Shifty Drake who used to work for Two-Face.
Cameos Two Face as the main antagonist and Dick Grayson as the previous Robin
TNBA Over The Edge:
Cameos the old Robin costume, the big penny from BTAS episode “Almost Got Him”, and Scarecrow, Harley Quinn, Mad Hatter, Riddler, Scarface and Bane
Recurring Characters
Montoya, Detective Bullock, and Lieutenant Gordon are recurring characters who assist Batman
Daggett Industries is a recurring company that is responsible for a variety of crimes throughout the series including Clay-Face, the virus in Cat Scratch Fever, and etc.
Rupert Thorne is a recurring character who is a mobster.
Summer Gleeson is a recurring character who is a news reporter
Joker
A majority of the episodes involve the Joker, making him a mainstay villain in Batman TAS
TNBA Joker’s Millions (POST “Laughing Fish”): cameo’s Penguin and Poison Ivy. Introduces King Barlowe. References the “Laughing Fish” episode
Beware the Creeper: origin story of the Creeper
References who Joker was before becoming the Joker from “The Mask of Phantasm”
Reveals the origin of the Joker at the Ace Chemical Plant
League of Shadows & Ra’s Al Ghul
BTAS Off Balance: introduces the Society of Shadows who is led by Vertigo. Also introduces Talia Al Ghul who was sent by her father, Ra’s Al Ghul, to defeat Vertigo (who used to work under her father). The giant penny from “Almost Got Im” makes an appearance in the Batcave
BTAS Demon’s Quest 1 & 2: introduces Ra’s Al Ghul who wants Batman to take his place has the Demon Head. Also reveals that Talia Al Ghul loves Batman and reveals the power of the Lazarus Pits. Batman defeats Ra’s Al Ghul and kisses Talia before leaving.
BTAS Avatar: the return of Ra’s Al Ghul who was thought to have died in a previous episode. Bruce teams up with Talia Al Ghul to prevent Ra’s from discovering and succumbing to the Queen Nephet who is a soul-sucking spirit
BTAS Showdown: reveals that Ra’s Al Ghul was trying to prevent the US expansion during the Wild Wild West times. Also introduces Jonah Hex as a bounty hunter who stops Ra’s Al Ghouls plan. It’s revealed that Ra’s Al Ghul also had a son but he was too unwise to become the next Demon Head.
Catwoman
BTAS The Cat and the Claw 1 & 2: introduces Selina Kyle as Catwoman and the Red Claw
BTAS Cat Scratch Fever
BTAS Tyger, Tyger (POST BTAS “On Leather Wings”): the Man-Bat (in human form of Kirk Langstrom) makes an appearance as Batman asks him regarding material that Dr. Dorian used to create humanoid animals
BTAS Catwalk: cameos Scarface and Penguin. Reveals that Selina will always betray Batman, it’s just who she is, she can’t give up her life of crime
TNBA You Scratch My Back: Re-introduces Catwoman. Introduces Enrique the Hook
TNBA Cult of the Cat: introduces Thomas Blake, the leader of a cult that worshipts cats
Harley & Poison Ivy Friendship
BTAS Harley & Ivy: origin of Harley and Poison Ivy teaming up which develops into a lasting friendship between the two
Poison Ivy
BTAS Pretty Poison: origin story of Poison Ivy
BTAS Eternal Youth
BTAS House & Garden (POST “Harley & Ivy”): cameo’s Poison Ivy and Harley’s time in Harley & Ivy
TNBA Chemistry
Harley Quinn
BTAS Harlequinade: Batman enlists the help of Harley Quinn to stop the Joker
BTAS Harley’s Holiday: cameos the Scarecrow as well as Boxy, a mobster, who appeared in Harlequinade
TNBA Mad Love: origin story of Harley Quinn. Cameos Poison Ivy
Two-Face
BTAS Two Face 1 & 2: origin story of Two-Face. Harvey Dent is a recurring character who is the DA and friends with Bruce Wayne but this shows his transformation into Two-Face. There is a gap between Parts1 and Parts 2. Harvey Dent has dual personalities.
BTAS Second Chance: references Two Face 1 & 2, cameos the Penguin as well
TNBA Judgment Day: cameos Penguin, Killer Croc, Two-Face, the Riddler. Introduces the Judge, which is a third personality created by Two-Face
Man-Bat
BTAS On Leather Wings: origin story of Kirk Langstrom as the Man-Bat
BTAS Terror in the Sky
Killer Croc
BTAS Vendetta: origin story of Killer Croc
BTAS Sideshow
Baby Doll
BTAS Baby-Doll: origin story of Baby-Doll
TNBA Love Is A Croc: cameos Baby Doll from “Baby-Doll” and Killer Croc as they team up
Scarecrow
BTAS Nothing to Fear: origin story of Scarecrow
BTAS Fear of Victory: Batman goes to Arkham where Joker, Poison Ivy, Two-Face are imprisoned
BTAS Dreams in Darkness: Batman is imprisoned in Arkham where the names of Jack Napier (Joker), Pamela Isley (Poison Ivy), and Harvey Dent (Two-Face) are mentioned
TNBA Never Fear
Mad Hatter
BTAS Mad as a Hatter: origin story of Mad Hatter
BTAS Perchance to Dream features Selina Kyle, Leslie Thompson, and Bruce’s parents
BTAS The Worry Men: features doll cameos of Penguin, the Riddler, Harley Quinn, and Joker
TNBA Animal Act: introduces Miranda Kane, an animal trainer from Dick Grayson’s old circus days
Penguin
BTAS Blind as a Bat: features the Penguin as an enemy and cameos Dr. Leslie Thompkins
BTAS Birds of a Feather
Riddler
BTAS If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t You Rich: origin story of Riddler
BTAS What Is Reality?
BTAS Riddler’s Reform
Mr. Freeze
BTAS Heart of Ice: origin story of Mr. Freeze
BTAS Deep Freeze: reveals that Nora (Freeze’s wife) is actually still alive in a cryogenic state. Cameo’s Karl Rossum from Heart of Steel
BTAS Sub Zero (Movie): reveals that Dick and Barbara are getting serious romantically. Nora Fries is saved at the end
TNBA Cold Comfort (POST “Subzero” film): references Nora Fries being treated for her disease at the end of the Subzero film
Clay Face
BTAS Feat of Clay 1 & 2: origin story of Clay Face
BTAS Mudslide
Growing Pains: introduces Annie as Clay Face’s daughter but she gets reabsorbed into him
Scarface
BTAS Read My Lips: introduces Scarface
TNBA Double Talk
Supervillain Team-Up
BTAS Almost Got ‘Im (POST “Perchance to Dream”): we see some of Batman’s rogue gallery (Joker, Poison Ivy, Two-Face, Penguin, and Killer Croc) talk about the times they almost defeated Batman. They reference the episode “Perchance to Dream” where Batman defeats the Mad-Hatter. Two-Faces story involves a giant penny which Batman actually keeps and is found in the Batcave. Catwoman saves Batman and shows her romantic interest in Batman.
BTAS Trial (POST “Two Face 1 & 2”): there’s a new DA Von Dorn. Features Batman’s rogue gallery (Harley, Poison Ivy, Two-Face, Mad Hatter, Killer Croc, Scarecrow, Scarface, The Riddler, Joker)
Red Claw
BTAS The Cat and the Claw 1 & 2: introduces Selina Kyle as Catwoman and the Red Claw
BTAS The Lion and the Unicorn: learn more about Alfred’s past as a member of the British Secret Services. Cameo’s the Red Claw as the villain.
The Clock King
BTAS The Clock King: origin story of Clock King
BTAS Time Out of Joint
Crossover
TNBA Girls Night Out: Livewire escapes to Gotham. Cameos Supergirl and Batgirl teaming up to defeat Livewire, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy
Misc.
BTAS Bane: introduces Bane, with a cameo from Killer Croc
TNBA Torch Song: origin story of Firefly (who is Garfield Lynns), cameo’s Mr. Freeze’s Ice Gun which Batman uses
TNBA The Ultimate Thrill: introduces Roxy Rocket. Cameos Penguin
BTAS Fire From Olympus: origin story of Maximillian Zeus who ends up imprisoned in Arkham where Joker, Poison Ivy, and Two-Face are shown to be imprisoned as well
BTAS Lock-Up: origin story of Lock-Up, cameos Scarecrow, Mad Hatter, Harley Quinn, Scarecrow.
BTAS The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne introduces Dr. Hugo Strange who discovers that Bruce Wayne is Batman. He then attempts to sell the information to the Joker, Two-Face, and Penguin but is tricked by Batman.
BTAS It’s Never Too Late explores Batman’s tactics in trying to get a crime boss to give up his operations
BTAS The Mechanic: reveals the origin of the Batmobile. Batman gets his vehicle repair from a mechanic called Earl Cooper who Batman saved previously. Features Penguin as the enemy. The Batmobile is destroyed in this episode
TNBA Mean Seasons: origin story of Page Monroe
TNBA Critters: origin story of Farmer Brown
TNBA Holiday Knights: cameos Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Clay Face, and the Joker
TNBA Legends of the Dark Knight: references other Batman media including the Return of the Dark Knight (Billy Berserk and the mutants), the old cartoon Batman, cameos Firefly