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This exceptional original production cel setup from Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995) features Batman within the Batcave from the episode "Deep Freeze" (Season 2, Episode 4). The episode first aired on November 26, 1994, and stands among the most admired in the series for its emotionally charged storytelling and cinematic visual design, continuing the tragic arc of Mr. Freeze.
Produced by Warner Bros. Animation under the creative direction of Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Eric Radomski, Batman: The Animated Series redefined what television animation could achieve in terms of narrative, technical, and artistic excellence. A critical and commercial triumph, it garnered multiple Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Animated Program, and has since been regarded as one of the greatest animated series ever made.
This cel exemplifies the distinctive "Dark Deco" aesthetic that became the show's signature. The production backgrounds were uniquely painted on black stock, a radical reversal of standard animation technique, allowing light to be rendered as an additive element rather than a base. The result was a visual world steeped in shadow, texture, and atmosphere, as evident here in the subdued steel-blue tones and airbrushed gradients.
Batman himself is rendered with striking presence and clarity, positioned centrally within the frame, his sculpted form highlighted by subtle cel shading. His expression of a calm, calculating intensity perfectly embodies the stoic restraint of Kevin Conroy's definitive vocal performance.
Hand-painted by Warner Bros. artists on acetate, this setup was photographed against the original gouache background to create a single frame of animation. It bears the official Warner Bros. Animation Art seal in the lower corner, certifying its authenticity within the studio's limited-release, curated art programme, and is marked "B7". There is some light creasing to one corner of the background.
Original setups pairing character cels with matching production backgrounds are increasingly scarce. Beyond its rarity, the image itself captures everything that made the series a modern classic: a synthesis of noir atmosphere, graphic design precision, and psychological storytelling that reimagined Batman for a generation. A commanding and visually rich example of Batman: The Animated Series artistry, this piece stands as a testament to the series' influence and enduring commercial and cultural success, a genuine icon of hand-painted animation from the golden age of Warner Bros. Television. Dimensions: 26.75 cm x 35.25 cm (10.5" x 13.75")
Sold without copyright; see copyright notice in the Terms and Conditions.
Estimate: £800 - 1,600 Ω
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