No Right Answer: Best Comic Book-Based Cartoon Ever
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Your argumentative styles are weak old man. Seriously, since when does "more character defining" = "best". That's not the critera you chose. It's not even "was better than the comics", but "best" on its own merits.
TMNT and Batman: TAS are not even close to comparable when it comes to writing, voice acting quality, animation, or lasting social impact. Anyone, kids or adults, can watch Batman and still relate to it, whereas TMNT is off the wall goofy with a bunch of 80s cartoon tropes like the ridiculously dressed glam rock characters (those kids from outer space), subpar voice acting, and stupid and formula plots.
That all said, TMNT + Power Rangers was my bread and butter for the first 6-8 years of my life, but I still can't say either show has aged anywhere near as well as Batman did.
TMNT and Batman: TAS are not even close to comparable when it comes to writing, voice acting quality, animation, or lasting social impact. Anyone, kids or adults, can watch Batman and still relate to it, whereas TMNT is off the wall goofy with a bunch of 80s cartoon tropes like the ridiculously dressed glam rock characters (those kids from outer space), subpar voice acting, and stupid and formula plots.
That all said, TMNT + Power Rangers was my bread and butter for the first 6-8 years of my life, but I still can't say either show has aged anywhere near as well as Batman did.
I declare shenanigans. You guys gave an undeserved point to Ninja Turtles to avoid another tie (or because you're being paid off by Michael Bay--it's a conspiracy! You're in the pocket of Big Douche!)--you gave them a point for saving their franchise, and then gave them another point because Batman didn't (or, more accurately, didn't save it profoundly much as Adam West).
I would, however, like to point out that Batman:TAS saved the franchise from a fate worse than death--without it, the franchise would have been steered into oblivion by neon-lit Batmobiles, nippled batsuits, and character development through 'ninja laundry for no good goddamn reason, therefore Batman'.
I would, however, like to point out that Batman:TAS saved the franchise from a fate worse than death--without it, the franchise would have been steered into oblivion by neon-lit Batmobiles, nippled batsuits, and character development through 'ninja laundry for no good goddamn reason, therefore Batman'.
Rule 42: Always bring a towel?
Not sure what that has to do with Batman and Robin kissi- ...uh, nevermind.
Another (albeit moot) point against Batman, a lot of it's designs came off of Batman & Returns; Catwoman, the Batmobile, the feel of Gotham. But hey, that might just be my opinion.
Though, I will agree the debate went a little off track. I can enjoy watching Batman today, TMNT, not so much.
Not sure what that has to do with Batman and Robin kissi- ...uh, nevermind.
Another (albeit moot) point against Batman, a lot of it's designs came off of Batman & Returns; Catwoman, the Batmobile, the feel of Gotham. But hey, that might just be my opinion.
Though, I will agree the debate went a little off track. I can enjoy watching Batman today, TMNT, not so much.
No love for Static Shock? One of the few hero shows that dealt with problems that few (if any) other hero shows dealt with, and (like TMNT) was the sole reason why most people who know about Static know who he is.
OT: In terms of quality, I think hands-down Batman TAS wins. In terms of cultural influence, I'd suspect Batman TAS was instrumental in getting a lot of kids who weren't already comics nerds into reading the comics; I know if not for TAS, the extent of my Batman knowledge would have only come from the Tim Burton films (which...you know). Plus Batman TAS created Harley Quinn, one of the most popular characters in Batman canon, so it had its fair share of re-writing the comic canon as well. I recognize that TMNT brought the series into the mainstream, but I wouldn't say that's enough to make it the best adaptation ever.
OT: In terms of quality, I think hands-down Batman TAS wins. In terms of cultural influence, I'd suspect Batman TAS was instrumental in getting a lot of kids who weren't already comics nerds into reading the comics; I know if not for TAS, the extent of my Batman knowledge would have only come from the Tim Burton films (which...you know). Plus Batman TAS created Harley Quinn, one of the most popular characters in Batman canon, so it had its fair share of re-writing the comic canon as well. I recognize that TMNT brought the series into the mainstream, but I wouldn't say that's enough to make it the best adaptation ever.
I remember when I was in high school and I did a (poorly sampled) survey of which was better at the time: Batman: TAS or X-Men (90s). X-Men won on the survey.
Batman: TAS aged better than X-Men (90s) as I became an adult. It helped that Batman: TAS was on Toonami.
As far as "influential" compared to TMNT: Batman: TAS inspired an anime series that could be summarized as "Giant Robo in Gotham City":
This show was also "Only Toonami".
I miss Toonami. Best action cartoons on the planet (along with Pokemon and a few hamsters). The Turtles, as beloved as they are, were never on Toonami.
Batman wins. Flawless victory.
Batman: TAS aged better than X-Men (90s) as I became an adult. It helped that Batman: TAS was on Toonami.
As far as "influential" compared to TMNT: Batman: TAS inspired an anime series that could be summarized as "Giant Robo in Gotham City":
This show was also "Only Toonami".
I miss Toonami. Best action cartoons on the planet (along with Pokemon and a few hamsters). The Turtles, as beloved as they are, were never on Toonami.
Batman wins. Flawless victory.
Well of course this is all subjective opinion but I would make one point.
50-100 years from NOW...Its plausible that Batman TAS would still be watchable. It possesses a timeless quality that surpasses its generation. People will readily know of TAS in that time frame, where as TMNT wont have that luxury.
Its like comparing The Simpsons to Drawn together, Or Steven King to Stephanie Meyers.
Seems to me TAS is clearly superior.
50-100 years from NOW...Its plausible that Batman TAS would still be watchable. It possesses a timeless quality that surpasses its generation. People will readily know of TAS in that time frame, where as TMNT wont have that luxury.
Its like comparing The Simpsons to Drawn together, Or Steven King to Stephanie Meyers.
Seems to me TAS is clearly superior.
I think batman the Animated series was a good choice, but the absence of newer series like Young Justice (and there is a lot of great newer stuff)makes me sad.
Seriously.
I was so frustrated it was not mentioned I decided to finally create an account after years on the Escapist just to point out how sad that is.
That is all.
Seriously.
I was so frustrated it was not mentioned I decided to finally create an account after years on the Escapist just to point out how sad that is.
That is all.
I am old enough that both were apart of my childhood.
I can stay TMNT influenced me more than B:TAS. That isn't to say that I would pick TMNT to view over B:TAS. I will always pick B:TAS. The only episodes that stood the test of time for me were the first seven or so episodes of TMNT. But B:TAS... I consider it one of the best tv shows ever made. Not best cartoons, but straight up TV.
However, TMNT ingrained itself on our psyches. I wanted to be Raphael. In your class, you would sort out the Michaelangelos vs the Donatellos. And if you were a lonely Raphael fan like me, you would have an instant friend for life the second you found another one. It was like finding moving Gold. TMNT was such a force in media that it could start friendships and nearly govern your class room.
As I understood the rules, we were judging one which was the best by the impact that cartoon had on us as children. This is another part where B:TAS has some points taken away because there were a good amount of people who had to look back to B:TAS with older and wiser eyes to understand all the subtext that was in these really well written shows. I remember not wanting to watch the episodes with my younger cousin because I spent most of the time explaining things to her that she just didn't get.
But TMNT was a straight up children show. It was colorful, it was catchy, and most of all; It. Had. Options.
If you didn't want to be a surly bad ass, you were out of luck with Batman. If you wanted to be the typical far out and rad 80's kid, you could pick Mikey. If you knew how to get the team together and wanted to save the day, you were in Leo's camp. If you wanted to outthink everyone and fix it all, you were a Don man. If you just thought everything was funny, hey, come be a Raph with me.
Most people in this thread are arguing bias. It's almost the fact that you can not be allowed on the net if you don't have some sort of love for Batman. I personally love B:TAS, but find Batman to be one of the most boring heroes ever. Complain about Superman's a zillion powers if you want, But having the most ridiculously overpowered set of Plot Armor that Bats has ("He wins because he's the God Damned Batman") is right up there.
I can stay TMNT influenced me more than B:TAS. That isn't to say that I would pick TMNT to view over B:TAS. I will always pick B:TAS. The only episodes that stood the test of time for me were the first seven or so episodes of TMNT. But B:TAS... I consider it one of the best tv shows ever made. Not best cartoons, but straight up TV.
However, TMNT ingrained itself on our psyches. I wanted to be Raphael. In your class, you would sort out the Michaelangelos vs the Donatellos. And if you were a lonely Raphael fan like me, you would have an instant friend for life the second you found another one. It was like finding moving Gold. TMNT was such a force in media that it could start friendships and nearly govern your class room.
As I understood the rules, we were judging one which was the best by the impact that cartoon had on us as children. This is another part where B:TAS has some points taken away because there were a good amount of people who had to look back to B:TAS with older and wiser eyes to understand all the subtext that was in these really well written shows. I remember not wanting to watch the episodes with my younger cousin because I spent most of the time explaining things to her that she just didn't get.
But TMNT was a straight up children show. It was colorful, it was catchy, and most of all; It. Had. Options.
If you didn't want to be a surly bad ass, you were out of luck with Batman. If you wanted to be the typical far out and rad 80's kid, you could pick Mikey. If you knew how to get the team together and wanted to save the day, you were in Leo's camp. If you wanted to outthink everyone and fix it all, you were a Don man. If you just thought everything was funny, hey, come be a Raph with me.
Most people in this thread are arguing bias. It's almost the fact that you can not be allowed on the net if you don't have some sort of love for Batman. I personally love B:TAS, but find Batman to be one of the most boring heroes ever. Complain about Superman's a zillion powers if you want, But having the most ridiculously overpowered set of Plot Armor that Bats has ("He wins because he's the God Damned Batman") is right up there.
