25 characters that originated in Batman: The Animated Series

Batman: The Animated is often cited as one of the best incarnations of the Batman mythology. The series features great animation, superb character designs, and compelling writing, and continually tops polls and opinion pieces about the greatest versions of Batman ever made.

Across the series’ 109-episode run, Batman: The Animated Series served up some truly brilliant episodes and some truly memorable moments. It also introduced many characters that were completely new to the world of Batman, and who didn’t exist outside of the show.

Some of these characters appeared as a one-off, doing what they needed to do in their episode and nothing more. Meanwhile, others proved so popular they eventually made the transition from the show into comics and even movies.

Below is a list of 25 characters who originated in Batman: The Animated Series. And yes, Harley Quinn is one of them.

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Lyle Bolton/Lock-Up

Voiced by Bruce Weitz 

First up is unhinged villain, Lyle Bolton, aka Lock-Up. Appearing in the self-titled episode, Lock-Up, the villain is not only a foe to Batman and Robin, but also to the many inmates at Arkham Asylum.

Prior to his transition into a super villain, Bolton was the head of security for Arkham. In his position of power he would regularly abuse his responsibilities in order to torment inmates, leaving them cowering in fear.

Due to the popularity of Lock-Up, the character was later taken from the TV series and incorporated into the comic books to become an official character in DC Comics continuity.

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Simon Trent/Gray Ghost

Voiced by Adam West

Up next is former actor, Simon Trent. The aging star – who appeared in the episode Beware the Gray Ghost – played the role of masked hero the Gray Ghost on a once popular television show, making him a huge star in his day.

But after falling on hard times, Trent is forced to sell his possessions, including Gray Ghost memorabilia, to pay the rent. However, his knowledge and past experiences in the crime-fighting game prove useful to Batman, when the Caped Crusader investigates a case which could have connections to Trent.

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Kyodai Ken

Voiced by Robert Ito

Appearing in two episodes, Night of the Ninja and Day of the Samurai, Kyodai Ken is a disgraced old enemy of Bruce Wayne’s. Well-versed in martial arts, Ken uses his skills to embark on a life of crime, crossing paths with both Bruce Wayne and Batman.

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Buddy Standler/The Condiment King

Voiced by Stuart Pankin 

After being placed under mind control by the Joker (using the Mad Hatter’s technology) comedian Buddy Standler adopts the identity of the Condiment King. Armed with ketchup and mustard squirt guns, Standler becomes less of a deadly adversary to Batman and more of a mild inconvenience.

Although the Condiment King only appears in one episode (Make ‘em Laugh), the character crossed over from the TV series and into comics to become an official character in the DC Universe.

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Roland Daggett

Voiced by Ed Asner 

Appearing in multiple episodes including Feat of Clay Parts 1 & 2, Appointment in Crime Alley, Cat Scratch Fever, and Batgirl Returns, Roland Daggett is a corrupt businessman and entrepreneur who owns Daggett Industries. Most notable for funding the development of the Renuyu cream, which transformed actor Matt Hagen into the villainous Clayface, Daggett is a continual bad apple in Gotham City.

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Red Claw

Voiced by Kate Mulgrew 

Introduced in the two-part story, The Cat and the Claw, before returning to the series for The Lion and the Unicorn, Red Claw is the head of an international terrorist organisation. During her appearances on the show, Red Claw crosses paths with Batman, Robin, and Catwoman, and is wanted by the police.

As with a few of the characters on this list, Red Claw has been introduced into the comics. 

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The Sewer King

Voiced by Michael Pataki

Appearing just once in Batman: The Animated Series, The Underdwellers, The Sewer King is a sewer-dwelling villain who kidnaps children. The Sewer King enslaves these kids under the streets of Gotham City, before forcing them into a life of crime.

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Boss Biggis

Voiced by George Murdock

Similar to The Sewer King, Boss Biggis is a one-episode villain who is into kidnapping and extortion. He appears in the episode, The Forgotten, and briefly made the jump to comics for a one-off appearance.

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Grant Walker

Voiced by Dan O’Herlihy

As a rich, theme park mogul, Grant Walker seemed to have it all – a big empire and vast wealth. But as he got older, one thing eluded him: immortality.

Realising he wouldn’t go on indefinitely, Walker made a deal with Mr. Freeze to alter his body and keep him alive forever. But Walker’s plan backfired, and though he did obtain immortality, he lost more than he gained.

Walker only made one appearance in Batman: The Animated Series (Deep Freeze), but he did pop-up again in some Batman: The Animated Series tie-in comics.

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Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn

Voiced by Arleen Sorkin 

And now onto the most famous character on this list: Harley Quinn aka Dr. Harleen Quinzel. The star of comics, movies, television series, and computer games, Harley originated on Batman: The Animated Series before quickly becoming the fan-favourite character of the show.

Making her debut in The Joker’s Favor, Harley started out as a throw-away member of the Joker’s gang, before her appearances were extended and expanded, and her backstory was filled in. Episodes such as Trial and Harlequinade suggested a much closer relationship with the Joker, before the episode Mad Love provided all the details.

Prior to meeting the Joker, Harley was a budding psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum. But after taking on the Joker as a patient, she fell in love/became obsessed with him, and embarked on a life of crime.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of Harley Quinn on Batman: The Animated Series, the character was quickly adapted into the main DC Comics continuity.

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Renee Montoya

Voiced by Ingrid Oliu and Liane Schirmer

As a member of the Gotham City Police Department, Renee Montoya appears in multiple episodes of Batman: The Animated Series, often alongside her peers, Commissioner Gordon and Detective Harvey Bullock. Often Montoya is a background player, but episodes such as P.O.V and Harley and Ivy allow her to step into the spotlight.

Montoya appears on this list because she was created specifically for Batman: The Animated Series. However, due to scheduling, it’s important to note, the character was adapted into the comics a few months ahead of her TV debut. 

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H.A.R.D.A.C.

Voiced by Jeff Bennett

Introduced in the two-part story, Heart of Steel, H.A.R.D.A.C. (Holographic Analytical Reciprocating Digital Computer) is an artificial-intelligence supercomputer. Designed as a prototype by electronics genius Karl Rossum, to test the capabilities of AI, H.A.R.D.A.C. initially came from a place of good intentions but soon went rogue.

After listening to Rossum talk about the pain of losing his daughter in a car accident, H.A.R.D.A.C. surmised the best way to eliminate pain was to eliminate people. The supercomputer then began replacing humans with robot duplicates, starting with high ranking officials including Mayor Hill and Commissioner Gordon.

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Emile Dorian

Voiced by Joseph Maher

Appearing in the episode, Tyger, Tyger, Emile Dorian is a rogue geneticist who experiments on humans and animals. Splicing together their DNA, he plays God and creates human-animal hybrids.

His greatest achievement is Tygrus, a loyal half-human, half-tiger creature. However, when Tygrus begins to get lonely, Dorian decides it is time to create a mate.

While Dorian didn’t make the jump to the main DC Comics continuity, he did appear briefly in the Batman: The Animated Series tie-in comics.

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Baby-Doll

Voiced by Alison LaPlaca and Laraine Newman

Former actress turned villain, Mary Louise Dahl was once a huge television star. Despite living with systemic hypoplasia, a rare medical condition which prevented her body from physically aging, she was able to put her condition to use, playing an eternal infant in the sitcom, That’s My Baby.

But when the show was cancelled, and she struggled to find any work, Dahl became a recluse, fixated on her past glories. Over time, her obsession grew, and she began dressing and acting like her sitcom alter-ego, Baby-Doll, even going so far as to continually utter her catchphrase, “I didn’t mean to.”

After embracing her Baby-Doll persona, Dahl decides to recreate her sitcom, going so far as to kidnap the original cast members who played members of her family on TV. But after some intervention from Batman & Robin, Dahl soon discovers she can’t rewind the clock or create a family by force.

Due to the popularity of Baby-Doll, who appeared in the episodes Baby-Doll and Love is a Croc, the character was incorporated into the comics, appearing briefly in the critically acclaimed Batman: White Knight.

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Arkady Duvall

Voiced by Malcolm McDowell

Appearing in just one episode, Showdown, Arkady Duvall is the son of Ra’s al Ghul. But unlike his father, Arkady is no longer able to benefit from the rejuvenating properties of the Lazarus Pit, and after years spent paying for his crimes he is a broken shell of a man.

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Roxanne Sutton/Roxy Rocket

Voiced by Charity James

And now for something a little different, because unlike all of the other characters on this list, Roxy Rocket was created for the Batman: The Animated Series tie-in comics, before being added into the show. Creators Bruce Timm and Paul Dini liked the character so much, they found a way for her to pop-up in the series.

Appearing in the episode, The Ultimate Thrill, Roxanne Sutton is a former professional stuntwoman who turns to a life of crime. A complete thrill-seeker, Sutton adopts the alias Roxy Rocket and causes problems for Batman after going on a high-speed crime spree.

Following her appearance in Batman: The Animated Series, Roxy Rocket was adapted into the main DC Comics continuity.

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Ferris Boyle

Voiced by Mark Hamill

Despite only making one appearance in Batman: The Animated Series, GothCorp CEO Ferris Boyle plays a significant role in the show. Boyle is essentially the person responsible for turning compassionate scientist, Dr. Victor Fries, into the emotionless super villain, Mr. Freeze.

In the episode, Heart of Ice, Boyle orders his security guards to switch off company equipment which is being used to keep Fries’ wife Nora alive. After Fries attempts to stop them, Boyle pushes Fries into chemicals, which in turn begins the process of transforming him into Freeze.

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Nora Fries

And as important as Ferris Boyle is to Mr. Freeze’s origin story, it’s nothing compared to the importance of Freeze’s wife, Nora. The character is introduced in Heart of Ice, as a non-speaking background figure, but one who essentially drives the story.

In the episode, it is revealed that Nora has contracted an incurable disease, which husband Victor is attempting to cure. However, to buy time, Nora is placed in cryogenic stasis, where she remains as her husband works around the clock to save her.

But when Ferris Boyle interferes, Nora is seemingly killed, and Victor Fries is transformed into Mr. Freeze. Believing his wife is dead, Freeze then seeks out revenge, becoming a cold-hearted villain in the process!

Due to the success of Mr. Freeze’s origin story, which was created especially for Batman: The Animated Series, this origin tale was quickly adopted into the comics, and then adapted for film. As Nora is a key part of this origin, she was officially made a part of DC Comics continuity shortly after her TV debut.

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Page Monroe/Calendar Girl

Voiced by Sela Ward

Appearing in the episode, Mean Seasons, Page Monroe is a former fashion model turned criminal, who suffers with body dysmorphic disorder. The condition was brought on after Page turned 30, and triggered by various employees dropping her from their books, because she was seen as ‘too old’ to model.

After years hidden away as a recluse, Page comes out of hiding, adopts the persona of Calendar Girl, and seeks revenge against her former employers. She does this through orchestrated attacks, all set around different holidays (Easter, Independence Day, etc).

Although Page Monroe is a new character for Batman: The Animated Series, she was created as an amalgamation of two existing comic book characters: Calendar Man and Manikin.

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Maven 

Voiced by Mary McDonald Lewis 

Another slight cheat here, as she is inspired by the DC character, Holly Robinson, Maven is the personal assistant and best friend of Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman. Maven appeared in the two-part story, The Cat and the Claw, and Cat Scratch Fever, and helps to keep Selina’s life in order when she’s indulging in criminal behaviour.

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Veronica Vreeland

Voiced by Marilu Henner 

Appearing in multiple episodes of Batman: The Animated Series, including most notably Birds of a Feather and Harley’s Holiday, Veronica Vreeland is another background player who often pops up at high brow events and society functions. As a member of the Gotham City elite, Veronica is extremely rich and runs in exclusive circles.

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Montague Kane

Voiced by Michael York

Appearing in the episode, Zatanna, Montague Kane is a wealthy socialite who makes his money through magic. Kane travels the world, watching all the great magicians, before publishing details about how they perform their tricks.

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Enoch Brown/Farmer Brown

Voiced by Peter Breck

Introduced in the episode, Critters, Farmer Brown is an agriculturalist and former microbiologist who turns to a life of crime.  Brown develops special growth hormones which allow him to genetically engineer a collection of monstrous farm animals, which he plans to set loose on Gotham City.

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Andrea Beaumont/The Phantasm

Voiced by Dana Delany and Stacy Keach Jr.

Introduced in the Batman: The Animated Series spin-off movie, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Andrea Beaumont is a former love interest to Bruce Wayne, who adopts the persona of The Phantasm to terrorise the criminal underworld of Gotham City. But unlike Batman, who has a ‘no killing’ rule, The Phantasm is on a revenge quest and kills without impunity.

Following her debut in Mask of the Phantasm, The Phantasm has since been adopted into the main comics continuity.

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Summer Gleeson

Voiced by Mari Devon

And finally, as Gotham City’s resident news reporter, Summer Gleeson is a recurring figure in Batman: The Animated Series, appearing in over 20 episodes. Although Summer’s job is to report the news, she is often part of the story, and has become a kidnap victim of Kyodai Ken, Lock-Up, and the Joker.

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Recap

Twenty-five characters who originated in, or who were created for, Batman: The Animated Series:

• Lock-Up
• Gray Ghost
• Kyodai Ken
• The Condiment King
• Roland Daggett
• Red Claw
• The Sewer King
• Boss Biggis
• Grant Walker
• Harley Quinn
• Renee Montoya
• H.A.R.D.A.C.
• Emile Dorian
• Baby-Doll
• Arkady Duvall
• Roxy Rocket
• Ferris Boyle
• Nora Fries
• Calendar Girl
• Maven
• Veronica Vreeland
• Montague Kane 
• Farmer Brown
• The Phantasm
• Summer Gleeson

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Thank you for stopping by I’ll Get Drive-Thru to read this post about every Batman: The Animated Series. For more Batman-related content, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.

Alex is the editor and writer of I’ll Get Drive-Thru – a blog which specialises in all things related to Batman and DC Comics. After graduating with a degree in film & television studies, Alex studied journalism, before acquiring NCTJ accreditation. Prior to creating I’ll Get Drive-Thru, Alex was a magazine editor, a senior copywriter, and a freelance writer. He is now, and always has been, a Bat-fan!