10 Darkest Batman: The Animated Series Episodes

While it's always threatened, Batman losing restraint and really 'going after' the criminals of Gotham is something we don't really see in the cartoon world. Batman's discipline allows him to hold back what he wants to do with the likes of Joker and Scarecrow.

But the same cannot be said about the guards at Arkham, and for Head of Security Lyle Bolton, he is a broken Batman.

The implication that Lyle has been abusing inmates at Arkham might roll off the backs of some viewers, but when we dig a little deeper and learn he gets a twisted, vengeful pleasure from doing it, there's unease in the character. It comes as a worse surprise when we learn Bruce Wayne recommended Lyle as HOS for Arkham.

After being expelled, Lyle returns as an armoured Punisher-like figure who is disgusted that Batman would show concern for the very criminals he brings to Arkham.

Lock-Up is an episode that is very easy to forget, but also might tell one of the best stories in the whole series. We've asked conflicting questions about Batman, and whether he created the villains he fights - many times in the past. But the idea of Batman inspiring actual villains to fight in the name of justice is probably even worse.