The Batman (2004) animated series is generally one of the more overlooked elements of the Dark Knight's substantial history on the screen. With viewers more attuned to the animation and storytelling styles of the prior Batman: The Animated Series and the various forays into that universe that took place after, and Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight series having recently kicked off, it's easy to view it as a blip on the radar.

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Yet, this series was always a little better than it was given credit for being, and it's slowly finding a new life as fans are rediscovering its rapid-fire fight scenes, fascinating character dynamics, and surprise celebrity guest appearances. Even if you didn't appreciate it in its time, fans of the sleeker, brooding, but occasionally hopeful Batman that so recently took to the silver screen with Matt Reeves' The Batman will be doing themselves a favor to check out this underrated hit.

10. Season 5, Episode 5 - "A Mirror Darkly"

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When it comes to superhero team-ups, Batman and The Flash aren't usually the first iconic match-up that comes to people's minds. However, they are always a fascinating match. As much as Superman plays a more optimistic side to the Dark Knight, The Flash is faster, more expedient, and occasionally even less patient than our Caped Crusader.

The Flash likewise gives Batman's epic rogues' gallery a run for its money with a number of incredible villains of his own. Among them, there is the Mirror Master, who is the main antagonist of this episode. These two are always a delight, but this episode especially nails their dynamic while introducing us to a slightly different take on the Scarlet Speedster.

9. Season 4, Episode 1 - "A Matter of Family"

The Batman 2004 Season 4 Episode 1 A Matter of Family

The story of Dick Grayson's family dying at the hands of a criminal mastermind has been told and retold almost as often as Bruce Wayne's own origin story. However, each version told changes it up enough to make room for the individual takes on Robin. This version of Dick Grayson is comparatively cheerful, and his origin shows his personality contrast with Bruce more than it leans into it.

Mob boss Zucco kills Dick's family, leaving the young gymnast alone. He is haunted by the murder and refuses to leave Wayne Manor, sitting on the steps of the mansion and demanding that Bruce take him in. When he does, Dick quickly discovers the Batcave, and his astute nature along with his need to see criminals met with justice is what makes Bruce adopt him, not just as Mr. Wayne, but as Batman, as well. Dick dons the "R" symbol and the rest is history.

8. Season 2, Episode 10 - "The Butler Did It"

The Batman 2004 Season 2 Episode 10 The Butler Did It

Alfred doesn't tend to get much spotlight, though recent forays into his past like Pennyworth are certainly making the attempt to flesh him out a bit. This episode puts Alfred in the driver's seat, but the downside for our dear butler is that he discovers he's being possessed by a supervillain on a nightly basis.

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When Alfred finds himself plagued by nightmares in which he is fleeing from Batman, he realizes that there is something going on. He discovers that he's actually been stealing from his employer while apparently sleepwalking. This introduces us to the villain Spellbinder, a mystic with a literal third eye who is able to use hypnotism to control others. A cool, rarely used villain is a good reason to check this episode out, but the highlight is the relationship between Alfred and Bruce.

7. Season 2, Episode 3 - "Fire and Ice"

The Batman 2004 Season 2 Episode 3 Fire and Ice

The Batman is absolutely full of iconic supervillain team-ups, so it's hard to choose just one. However, the aesthetic of Firefly and Mr. Freeze meeting as partners is hard to beat. As Mr. Freeze continues in his attempts to cast Gotham into a never-ending winter, he freezes a charity ball and Batman is forced to get involved.

Related: How Mr. Freeze Saves 'Batman & Robin'This is a great spotlight for Mr. Freeze, and the chaotic Firefly is just as fun as always. The puns that Freeze is known for are all over this episode, and indeed it's nothing new as far as his general vibe goes. However, Firefly is absolutely delightful and adds fun wild card energy to the show.

6. Season 1, Episode 10 - "Topsy Turvy"

The Batman 2004 Season 1 Episode 10 Topsy Turvy

Just as Rino Romano is a highly underrated voice actor for Batman, Kevin Michael Richardson does not receive even remotely enough credit for his take on the madcap Joker. Though the first season was likely the shakiest overall, this episode is hard to beat, and it shows us everything that makes this version of The Joker one of the scariest.

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This take on the Clown Prince of Crime shows us someone who is perfectly capable of carrying out horrifying crimes while never leaving a prison cell. Threatening an Arkham guard and forcing him to take on the Joker persona, he orchestrates a series of high-tech kidnappings while stumping a Batman who knows he's sitting in a jail cell. This is an all-timer for Batman/Joker fans, as it gives a glimpse of how the most upsetting thing about the Joker is that he always seems to be one step ahead of the World's Greatest Detective.

5. Season 2, Episode 11 - "Grundy's Night"

The Batman 2004 Season 2 Episode 11 Grundy's Night

Batman has always shined with a Halloween episode, and this one is no different. Positing Solomon Grundy as an ancient zombie that returns to plague Gotham on All Hallow's Eve, this take grants a larger mystery around Grundy that has Batman and Alfred using their detective skills. An excellent Alfred and Batman team-up episode with great fight scenes with Grundy, this is a wonderful TV Halloween episode.

Solomon Grundy is without question one of the coolest and weirdest villains of DC's archive, and it's great to see him reimagined for this episode. Fans that enjoy this round would also do well to catch the animated film, The Batman V Dracula, which is surprisingly delightful and encapsulates a lot of the things we love both about Batman and Bram Stoker's famous bloodsucker.

4. Season 4, Episode 3 - "Clayfaces"

The Batman 2004 Season 4 Episode 3 Clayfaces

Batman's villains are known for bringing chaotic vibes, and there may be no big bad where that is more true than Clayface. Generally, Clayface is an actor who has taken a turn toward crime due to attempts to preserve his youth gone awry, this version went in a totally different direction. Gotham City PD Ethan Bennett is driven over the edge by The Joker, and becomes the amorphous villain.

Here, Bennett has promised to give up his life of crime in hopes of leading a better life. He turns himself in, which is why both he and Batman are shocked to discover a new Clayface terrorizing Gotham. This is the classic story of whether a villain can be redeemed that Batman stories are known for, and it's a fun take on Clayface. Delivering all the great action sequences that a Clayface ep is capable of, this is a must-watch.

3. Season 3, Episodes 1 & 2 - "Batgirl Begins"

The Batman 2004 Season 3 Episodes 1 & 2 Batgirl Begins

Iconic screen takes on Poison Ivy are a rarity outside the original Batman: The Animated Series and her impressively weird appearance in Batman & Robin, which is all the more reason to catch this one. Introducing a troubled young woman who is close friends with Barbara Gordon, this two-parter shows the way Ivy's deeply caring nature is twisted into something more vengeful.

Likewise, Batgirl truly shines in this episode. Though sadly used as a cast replacement for the great Ellen Yin, another Batman supporting character that just plain doesn't get enough love, Barbara is the perfect sidekick for this take on Batman. His grim, untrusting nature is challenged by the hyper-efficient optimism of Batgirl, and this is where she proves her chops.

2. Season 2, Episode 9 - "Ragdolls to Riches"

The Batman 2004 Season 2 Episode 9 Ragdolls to Riches

For anyone that felt the romance between Catwoman and Batman in The Batman was a bit forced, there's no time like the present to revisit their moments of genuine onscreen chemistry. In The Batman, Catwoman was portrayed by genre queen Gina Gershon, and she remains one of the most underrated takes on a classic. Sporting a cool design that emphasizes function over sexiness but still practically oozing charisma, this is one of the great Catwomans.

All the Catwoman-centric episodes of The Batman are well worth your time, but this one is high up on the list due to being off-the-wall bonkers. Utilizing the extremely weird DC villain Ragdoll to stump both Batman and Catwoman on equal levels, the episode culminates in a chase through the inner workings of a massive clock tower, in which the contortionist Ragdoll is able to squeeze between gears while this dynamic duo tries to catch him.

1. Season 4, Episode 7 - "Artifacts"

The Batman 2004 Season 4 Episode 7 Artifacts

Some of Batman's best stories have been the ones that look into the future to see the legacy that he leaves behind, such as Batman Beyond and The Dark Knight Returns. One underrated gem in that canon includes the latter season "Artifacts," which shoots us a thousand years into the future to learn about the past when a new Mr. Freeze appears on the scene, trashing Gotham.

Using a distant future timeline to unlock the secrets of 2027, we see the progression of Batman, as well as that of Batgirl, who becomes Oracle, and Robin, who becomes Nightwing. As Bruce continues to struggle with the demons that haunt him, his relationships with the adult Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson (Jerry O'Connell) are under focus. As always, the best Batman stories are about family and legacy, and this one absolutely delivers while positing Mr. Freeze as one of the Bat's greatest adversaries, even a thousand years into the future.

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