Batman: The Animated Series' Distinctive Look Is The Result Of One Simple Art Trick

“Batman: The Animated Series” is one of the best DC animated TV shows, and its distinct look is a huge reason why. From the opening tones of its iconic theme song, the vibe of a dark bristling Gotham radiates across the entire series. But, one simple art trick embedded the show’s look into an entire generation’s imagination.

In a Vulture interview with voice director Andrea Romano, it was revealed that the choice of canvas for “Batman: The Animated Series” ended up being the secret weapon for the Kids WB favorite. Romano explained, “The backgrounds were created very differently: They were done on black paper, which gave it that very dark style. Nothing had been that dark.”