Yes, yes, Batman. It’s not an obsession, really as much as the love for imagery and illustration. But really, how does Batman relate to Art Deco?
Let’s go back to the year 1992 when Warner Bros. produced Batman the Animated Series.
The art that came out of this animated series is truly phenomenal. Taking inspiration from the Art movement of 1920s- 1930s, their Art Deco style of rendering the characters and backgrounds is what separates this “Batman” from all of the other Batman comics that ever came before.
Warner Bros. even coined their style Dark Deco! And, it’s incredibly fitting because the setting of the entire mythology of this Batman series was during the 1920s – 1930s.
Take a look at some of the gorgeous illustrations that came from this animated series.
These pictures are from Batman Animated by Paul Dini and Chip Kidd
Yes, it happens to be a cartoon (undoubtedly for children) but the quality of the illustrations and the depth of the stories has captured interest from the young, to the forever-young-at hearts. Only with such brilliant talent and creativity (from the writers, illustrators, and producers) did this magnificent series come about.
That has got to be one of the most beautifully rendered, well written, animated series ever made during my grade school years.
(Everyday after school…before homework time…I was in Gotham animation heaven. Do children now-a-days have something like this to look forward to daily?)
AHHH yessss I remember this cartoon. I concur with your opinion about one of the best animated series ever. Masterful execution and I don’t think a better marriage of style and content could have been made for this cartoon.
Probably my most favoritely designed cartoon. This art deco style is fantastic. It really did as you say, set it apart from the other Bat-Mans but also from every other cartoon out there. This also, I felt, gave Bat-Man his own unique identity.