Even creator Bruce Timm can’t bring himself to watch one particular episode ofBatman: The Animated Series, which starred Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne’s Batman long before the days of James Gunn’sDC Universe.Batman: The Animated Seriesincluded many adventures forDC’s iconic Caped Crusaderover two seasons between 1992 and 1995. However, behind the scenes turmoil and lack of control by creative teams meant that manyBatmanepisodes were lackluster, with some even being hated by the show’s own production team.
In the years following its release,Batman: The Animated Serieshas received universal acclaim, being considered a groundbreaking superhero series.Episodes such as “The Man Who Killed Batman,” Over the Edge," and “Perchance to Dream” are widely celebrated, but not everyBatmanepisode can be so lucky. Throughout production, particularly in the series' early development, there was a plethora of issues behind the camera, which led to the release of some sub-par adventures forKevin Conroy’s Dark Knight.
Bruce Timm Describes 1 Batman: The Animated Series Episode As “Terrible”
“I’ve Got Batman In My Basement” Released On August 14, 2025
Released on July 29, 2025, “I’ve Got Batman in My Basement” marked thePenguin’s exciting debut inBatman: The Animated Series, but has been criticized time and again by creators of the series in the years since. WhileBruce Timm wanted to create a more mature animated show, the writers of “I’ve Got a Batman in My Basement” aimed this episode at a child audience. Two kids were even put front-and-center, as young amateur detective Sherman Grant and his friend, Roberta, came to Batman’s aid after an altercation with the Penguin over a stolen Fabergé egg.
I can’t even watch that show. It’s the epitome of what we don’t want to do with Batman. Strangely enough kids like it. The script came in and it was terrible. Normally, I tell the director to do what he can to make it interesting, and nobody could figure out a way to make it interesting. The storyboard artists didn’t care, and it shows.
Back in 1993, creator Bruce Timm revealed toAnimato!in its summer issue (viaCBR)that he"can’t even watch that show,“referring to “I’ve Got Batman in My Basement.” He noted that"nobody could figure out a way to make it interesting,“and that the storyboard artists simply"didn’t care,“suggesting that there was an apathy off-screen that impacted the development of the episode.It was bold of Timm to deliver such damning comments regarding this episode at the time, especially since it was still in rotation, and this wasn’t the only episode to be hated byBatman’screw.
“I’ve Got Batman In My Basement” Isn’t The Only Episode The Production Team Didn’t Like
Batman: The Animated Series' Creatives Have Revealed Several Failed Episodes
Even thoughBatman: The Animated Serieshas been celebrated as one of the strongest superhero projects ever, there are a number of episodes that have received criticism from the show’s crew over the years.Bruce Timm has spoken many times about his distaste for certain episodes. This includes season 1’s “Nothing to Fear,” which he blamed on editor-turned-writer Henry Gilroy, “The Forgotten,” which he felt didn’t meaningfully explore themes of homelessness, and “The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy,” which director Frank Paur suggested was like"kicking a dead horse”(viaCinefantastique).
10 Most Rewatchable Batman: The Animated Series Episodes, Ranked
Batman: The Animated Series has many episodes that hold up to repeat viewings, whether through ease of watching or sheer quality of storytelling.
Shockingly, episodes ofBatman: The Animated Serieshated by the show’s crew include notable DC Comics characters that could have made these stories incredibly strong. This includes Scarecrow, Catwoman and the Penguin, who has recently been reinvented byColin Farrell inThe BatmanandThe Penguinlive-action shows.It’s a shame the crew didn’t enjoy all ofBatman: The Animated Series’episodes, though even these hated episodes have redeemable qualities among fans of the series, and these stories make the whole series much more entertaining and commendable.
Why Bruce Timm’s I’ve Got Batman In My Basement Comments Make Batman: The Animated Series All The More Impressive
Batman: The Animated Series Is Still One Of The Best Superhero Projects Ever
The fact that Bruce Timm and other creatives involved withBatman: The Animated Seriesconsidered so many sub-par episodes to be terrible highlights the fact that the crew were striving to produce something incredible.Timm and others worked to a very high quality and standard that was hard to uphold throughout, and while several episodes might have been lackluster, many others have become universally loved. Both the successes and the failures ofBatman: The Animated Seriesmake the series even stronger.
