The Batman also received a spin-off comic book series – "The Batman Strikes!" – published by DC Comics. The spin-off comic books were set in the same continuity and style as "The Batman". The man known as Batman, the costumed protector of Gotham City, is secretly billionaire playboy, Bruce Wayne (voiced by Rino Romano). Batman began three years prior to the start of the series, and the Gotham City police do not publicly acknowledge the vigilante's existence. Operating out of a secret lair underneath Bruce Wayne's mansion — known as the Bat cave — Batman and his butler, Alfred Pennyworth (voiced by
Batman: The Animated Series of the greatest animated television shows of all time (again after "The Simpsons"). TV Guide ranked "Batman: The Animated Series" the seventh Greatest Cartoon of All Time (out of 60). Due to the success of "Batman: The Animated Series", many crew members went on to design and produce "" for The WB Network. During this time they created "The New Batman Adventures", which featured the same streamlined animation style as "Superman: The Animated Series", as well as numerous character re-designs from the original series despite taking place in the same continuity. In 1999, a futuristic spin-off series titled "Batman Beyond"