Batman: The Animated Series has gained a reputation for being one of the most iconic animated series of all time, even though it was released around two decades ago. Having a perfect balance of mature themes and fun moments, the series has been enjoyed by people of all age groups.
However, one must not forget that the series was always meant for children and, therefore, had to follow a lot of rules. Although the creators and writers were able to make their way around certain limitations, there were some that the studio simply did not budge on.
Writer Henry Gilroy revealed that some taboos were not allowed to make it into the show. Despite this, the creators, Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski were able to find loopholes for some, regardless of how bizarre.
Batman: The Animated Series Had To Follow One Rule
Henry Gilroy famously worked for Batman: The Animated Series, having been behind some very iconic episodes. During his time on the show, he learned a thing or two about how the executives wanted it to be for its audiences. Although they were lenient on a lot of things, they had a very strict attitude towards some.
There were a few things the show refused to add to its animation, solely to not upset the parents and be a bad influence on the children who were watching it. Interestingly enough, one of their most rigid rules was surrounding the breaking of glass.
Batman, as a character, is known for breaking glass in almost all versions of him; be it flying through a window or throwing a criminal at one. Despite this, the executives refused to let this be added to the series. The reason for the same was that they did not want children to try it at home and ultimately get hurt.
Bruce Timm Found A Way Around It
Although the concern that the executives had was valid, it would seem that Bruce Timm could not let this iconic part of the character be left out of Batman: The Animated Series. Being the genius that he is, the animator found a way around this rule in the most bizarre of ways; by replacing glass with bricks.
Henry Gilroy revealed to /Films that it was not the violent aspect of this rule that concerned the executives, but the glass of it. Understanding this, the show’s co-creator decided that he would replace the glass with bricks and throw criminals into walls instead of windows. As bizarre as it sounds, this method worked, even though it was a lot more graphic.
“Batman will hit a guy with such force, his face will go through a brick wall,” Gilroy told us. “They’ll go, ‘That’s fine, that’s okay.’ You can’t really replicate that. It’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s brain damage because he put his face through a brick wall.'”
Even Gilroy was surprised at this situation, finding it hilarious that brain damage was okay and cuts from glass weren’t. However, the one objective that the executives had with the rule was achieved. No child at home could throw someone at a brick wall so hard they go through it, so replicating it would not be a concern.
Batman: The Animated Series is available for streaming on Max.
