The DCAU is one franchise where DC Comics beats its rival Marvel as the live-action MCU changed the industry forever. Multiple animated shows and movies have come out under the umbrella of the DCAU, including Batman: The Animated Series and its sequels.
While creator Bruce Timm is credited with changing animated TV forever, his overs*xualization of characters has received a lot of flack in recent years. One episode from The New Batman Adventures shows Poison Ivy and Harley Quin in such a seductive way that went too far.
Bruce Timm Draws Criticism For A Scene In The New Batman Adventures
Bruce Timm has been one of the most instrumental parts of the DCAU. One of the producers of Batman: The Animated Series and other subsequent projects, Timm spearheaded the DC label into being one of the most acclaimed animated properties. His ‘Timm-verse’ films have also been extremely well received by fans and critics alike.
While Timm’s work has been considered to be more adult-friendly due to the mature themes explored, his work has been drawing criticism in recent years for overs*xualizing female characters in his shows and films. Characters such as Harley Quinn, Catwoman, and Poison Ivy have often been shown as examples of Timm’s practice.
One scene in The New Batman Adventures drew a lot of criticism from fans. The scene shows Quinn and Ivy talking in a motel room and their movements seem to be extremely s*xualized despite it being a normal conversation.
this sketch is from Timm. so yea, 100% he knew what he was doing with this scene
-kappakingtut2
If you look at some of his sketches… yeah, the idea was always there.
-Pilgrimhaxxter69
bruce timm, you sly dog
-darth-com1x
God that’s cringe
-VERSAT1L
Fans also linked certain sketches by Timm to prove that it was a common practice by the animator. However, many defended the scene as Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn were later established to be a couple.
Increasing Criticism Of Bruce Timm For Depicting S*xual Violence In The DCAU
The scene from The New Batman Adventures is reportedly just the tip of the iceberg on media by Bruce Timm to feature overly s*xualized characters. While some argued that characters like Harley Quinn were his creations and he could do what he wanted with them, many have criticized what has turned out to be a common practice.
The DCAU films such as Batman: The Killing Joke came under intense scrutiny for featuring a s*x scene between Batman and Barbara Gordon. The depiction of violence on Gordon was also criticized by many fans (via Buzzfeed News). Timm reportedly denied the allegations that Joker s*xually assaulted Barabra in The Killing Joke (via Vulture),
I did not think of it as supporting that. If I had, I probably would have changed the line. I never, ever thought that he actually r*ped her. Even in my first read of the comic, I never thought that. It just seemed like he shot her and then took her clothes off and took pictures of her to freak out her dad. I never thought that it was anything more than that.
Timm also mentioned that though the implication is not that Joker assaulted her, the torture she is subjected to still should be treated as s*xual violence.
