Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008-2011)

Taking a break from the darker tone of most Batman stories, this show features a brisker, light-hearted feel that aims to recreate the feeling of excitement fans get with their favorite issues of the comics. In fact, Batman: The Brave and the Bold is largely inspired by the titular DC title and sees the Dark Knight teaming up with a different hero in each episode. Although the series was comprised mostly of standalone adventures, its lively pace and willingness to delve into the deepest reach of DC Comics pantheon of characters created an experience that viewers hadn’t seen in their Batman stories in a long time. With a voice cast led by funnyman Diedrich Bader, the show stands as something of an anomaly among recent incarnations of Batman. However, it is this ambition to set itself apart that is precisely why it remains such a highlight in the character’s storied history.