Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” is widely considered to be the Best Batman Incarnation of All Time.  Now, nearly two years after its blockbuster release, it’s time to look at the debate with fresh eyes. If you take away the fanboy fervor, can “Dark Knight” still stack up against previous incarnations of the Caped Crusader?

In a heated battle, at least in my mind, “Batman: The Animated Series” comes out on top. Read on to see how the bracket unfolded.

We start with 16 versions spread across four categories: Television, Direct-to-Video Animation, and two brackets of Theatrical Films (for a total of eight films). Movies made by the same director are split among the two brackets, so Burton’s “Batman” and “Batman Returns” can’t compete against each other until the Final Four. Same goes for the Christopher Nolan and Joel Schumacher entries.

Since there can be only 16 participants, a few incarnations of the Bat were not asked to particpate, including the 1940s serial and the direct-to-video release, “Batman vs. Dracula.” You probably won’t miss them.

Let the Battle Begin!

Movies (Bracket 1)

1. The Dark Knight (2008) vs. 4. Batman: The Movie (1966)

No offense to Adam West, but this bout is like Duke vs. any #64 team. Blowout.

Winner: The Dark Knight

2. Batman (1989) vs. 3. Batman Forever (1995)

Tim Burton’s first Bat film hasn’t aged well, but Schumacher’s “Forever” teeters too often into camp. “Forever” is better than many give it credit for, but in the end, Nicholson’s Joker is a far livelier villain than Tommy Lee Jones’ ridiculous Two-Face. Winner: Batman

Bracket Final: 1. The Dark Knight (2008) vs. 2. Batman (1989)

“The Dark Knight” was skunked out of a Best Picture Academy Award nomination, and is widely considered to be a big reason why the Academy went with 10 contentders instead of the usual five at this year’s ceremony. Burton’s “Batman” just doesn’t match the ambition of Nolan’s masterpiece, and Heath Ledger’s Joker might be the best onscreen villain of all time. Sorry, Dr. Lecter. Bracket Winner: The Dark Knight

Movies (Bracket 2)

2. Batman Returns (1992) vs. 3. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

Both films are pretty dark, but Burton’s second effort is a bit of a drag in the storytelling department. “Mask of the Phantasm,” an offshoot of the acclaimed “Batman: The Animated Series,” tells an engaging and thoughtful story that explores Bruce Wayne’s transition to Caped Crusader. Much more than you would expect from a no-frills animated release, and you get a strong vocal performance from Mark Hamill as the Joker. Winner: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

1. Batman Begins (2005) vs. 4. Batman & Robin (1997)

Nolan’s first stab at Batman tells the first legitimate Bruce Wayne origin story. Joel Schumacher’s “Batman & Robin” offers Bat-nipples, Bat-credit cards and horrible dialogue like “Ice to See You!” Winner: Batman Begins, obviously.

Bracket Final: 1. Batman Begins (2005) vs. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

This is a tough loss for “Mask of the Phantasm,” a grossly underrated entry in the Batman saga. Sadly, it can’t stand against the genius of Christopher Nolan’s reboot. Bracket Winner: Batman Begins

Television Bracket

1. Batman (1966) vs. 4. Batman Beyond (1999)

“Beyond” gives the character a futuristic spin, with an acrobatic high school kid taking over for elderly Bruce Wayne. But for better or worse, the Adam West television show is responsible for much of the Bat’s enduring popularity. Winner: Batman (1966)

2. Batman: The Animated Series (1992) vs. 3. The Batman (2004)

The Animated Series is nothing short of classic television– maybe the best animated series of all-time. The show gives Gotham City a dark edge, but it holds back just enough to avoid a parental uproar. “The Batman” depicts a young Bruce Wayne starting out his crime-fighting career. The show’s anime style makes for entertaining action, but the writing and voice work often disappoint. Winner: Batman: The Animated Series

Bracket Final: 1. Batman (1966) vs. 2. Batman: The Animated Series

The nostalgic factor of the “POW!” and “BANG!” era considered, “The Animated Series” does a better job of treating both the heroes and villains with the respect the comic so deserves. Bracket Winner: Batman: The Animated Series

Direct-to-Video Animation Bracket

2. Batman: Gotham Knight (2008) vs. 3. Subzero (1998)

Although “Subzero” is a much better Mr. Freeze tale than the atrocious “Batman & Robin,”the “Gotham Knight” project is a far better visual presentation, telling six interconnected stories with six eclectic visual styles. “Subzero,” despite its similar animation style to the “Animated Series,” feels a bit second rate to the esteemed TV series that preceded it. Winner: Gotham Knight

1. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000) vs. The Batman/Superman Movie (1998)

Both films feature Mark Hamill as the Joker, so it really comes down to… everything else. Using the Shaun Scott argument, let’s keep it simple: Superman is boring and “Beyond” takes place in the future. Winner: Return of the Joker

Bracket Final: 1. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000) vs. 2. Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)

In the end, Batman is a contemporary character that belongs in a contemporary world. Bracket Winner: Batman: Gotham Knight

The Final Four

1. The Dark Knight (2008) vs. 2. Batman Begins (2005)

“The Dark Knight” is technically the better film, although one must consider the fact that it requires the character establishment and story development in “Batman Begins.” But a great Batman tale needs a strong villain, and even though both integrate multiple baddies, “The Dark Knight” features the definitive Batman archrival. Winner: The Dark Knight

2. Batman: The Animated Series (1992) vs. 2. Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)

There were 85 strong episodes of “The Animated Series.” “Gotham Knight” barely runs 75 minutes, and two of the six segments are pretty mediocre. Honestly, nothing out of the Direct-to-Video bracket stood a chance of competing with the big boys. Winner: Batman: The Animated Series

The Championship

1. The Dark Knight (2008) vs. 2. Batman: The Animated Series (1992)

“The Animated Series,” boasting hours of quality stories that remain faithful to the Batman story canon, really is the most all-encompassing media representation of the comic. While there is no individual episode that tops the spectacle and excitement of “The Dark Knight” (though some Joker-centric episodes come close), the series was what got me hooked on the franchise in the fi
rst place.

Winner: Batman: The Animated Series

Agree? Disagree? Voice your opinion, if you dare. Dismissive remarks will earn your mailbox a nice, juicy laughing fish.