HARDAC
Encyclopedia
HARDAC is a fictional character that appeared in Batman: The Animated Series
.
HARDAC first appeared in the two-part episode "Heart of Steel", written by Brynne Stephens. A supercomputer created by scientist Karl Rossum, it developed a mind of its own and started creating robotic duplicates of Gotham City
's powerful citizens and law-enforcement as part of a master plan to eventually replace all humans with identical-in-appearance but otherwise flawless replicates who would "eliminate" needless death (Professor Rossum had often told the A.I. about his unending grief at the death of his wife and only daughter and the A.I. eventually decided on this course of action as a logical solution). It eventually even turned on its own creator after Rossum learned the truth about his invention. Batman found out about HARDAC's plan, but the computer almost took him prisoner, learning his secret identity
in the process. Batman eventually destroyed it with help from Barbara Gordon
(who, at the time, had yet to take up her alter-ego as Batgirl
).
The name of HARDAC's creator, Karl Rossum, comes from Rossum's Universal Robots, a play which contained the first modern use of the word robot
.
Karl Rossum was based on the actor William Sanderson
, both his voice and image were taken for the character. Loosely connected to his role as J.F. Sebastian in the 1982 film Blade Runner
, Sabastian created the minds of the androids and surrounded himself with robot friends to keep him company.
& Robert N. Skir
), HARDAC created a duplicate of Batman that survived the computer's destruction, but lost its memory function and believed itself to be the Dark Knight (it had been implanted with information about both Batman and Bruce Wayne). The duplicate lay dormant as part of HARDAC's remains. When a trio of thieves attempted to rob the warehouse it was stored in, they awakened it. The duplicate reacted as Batman would have and began to fight off the thieves.
When a gunshot injured/damaged the duplicate, revealing robotic components, the confused robot thought its mind had been placed in a robot body; it first sought help from Alfred, and then from Karl Rossum, HARDAC's creator, who now owns a farm with a greenhouse. When Rossum dispelled its illusion, the duplicate fought the real Batman, but surprisingly, when the greenhouse collapsed, it saved Rossum. It then sought HARDAC's damaged processor; the remnant of the psychotic artificial intelligence informed it of its mission and origin.
Using the duplicate, HARDAC planned to reform over the Internet
, connected through the Batcomputer
. During its fight with Batman, however, the Dark Knight realized it had grown too much like himself; it could not kill. Seeing Batman seemingly perish after pushing him over a cliff, the distraught robot destroyed the connection, destroying itself and HARDAC along with it once and for all.
The Batman Duplicate is given a large amount of character development; the conflicting goals of following HARDAC and being like Batman give it elements of a tragic villain. At the end of the episode, Batman ponders if the creature, though robotic, had "a soul; a soul of silicon
, but a soul nonetheless."
HARDAC's voice actor, Jeff Bennett, also voiced another villainous artificial intelligence in the subsequent series The Batman, the demented D.A.V.E..
Batman: The Animated Series
Batman: The Animated Series is an American animated series based on the DC Comics character Batman. The series featured an ensemble cast of many voice-actors including Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Arleen Sorkin, and Loren Lester. The series won four Emmy Awards and was nominated...
.
HARDAC first appeared in the two-part episode "Heart of Steel", written by Brynne Stephens. A supercomputer created by scientist Karl Rossum, it developed a mind of its own and started creating robotic duplicates of Gotham City
Gotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
's powerful citizens and law-enforcement as part of a master plan to eventually replace all humans with identical-in-appearance but otherwise flawless replicates who would "eliminate" needless death (Professor Rossum had often told the A.I. about his unending grief at the death of his wife and only daughter and the A.I. eventually decided on this course of action as a logical solution). It eventually even turned on its own creator after Rossum learned the truth about his invention. Batman found out about HARDAC's plan, but the computer almost took him prisoner, learning his secret identity
Secret identity
A secret identity is an element of fiction wherein a character develops a separate persona , while keeping their true identity hidden. The character also may wear a disguise...
in the process. Batman eventually destroyed it with help from Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino...
(who, at the time, had yet to take up her alter-ego as Batgirl
Batgirl
Batgirl is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, frequently depicted as female counterparts to the superhero Batman...
).
The name of HARDAC's creator, Karl Rossum, comes from Rossum's Universal Robots, a play which contained the first modern use of the word robot
Robot
A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
.
Karl Rossum was based on the actor William Sanderson
William Sanderson
William Sanderson is an American character actor.-Early life:Sanderson was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to an elementary school teacher mother and a landscape designer father...
, both his voice and image were taken for the character. Loosely connected to his role as J.F. Sebastian in the 1982 film Blade Runner
Blade Runner
Blade Runner is a 1982 American science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young. The screenplay, written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, is loosely based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K...
, Sabastian created the minds of the androids and surrounded himself with robot friends to keep him company.
Duplicate Batman
In the episode "His Silicon Soul" (written by Marty IsenbergMarty Isenberg
Marty Isenberg is an American animation writer. He is best known for his role as co-story editor on Beast Machines, and Transformers: Animated, and for his work on the revived Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series...
& Robert N. Skir
Robert N. Skir
Robert N. Skir is a writer best known for his work in television animation on shows including X-Men, Gargoyles, Batman: The Animated Series, and Spider-Man...
), HARDAC created a duplicate of Batman that survived the computer's destruction, but lost its memory function and believed itself to be the Dark Knight (it had been implanted with information about both Batman and Bruce Wayne). The duplicate lay dormant as part of HARDAC's remains. When a trio of thieves attempted to rob the warehouse it was stored in, they awakened it. The duplicate reacted as Batman would have and began to fight off the thieves.
When a gunshot injured/damaged the duplicate, revealing robotic components, the confused robot thought its mind had been placed in a robot body; it first sought help from Alfred, and then from Karl Rossum, HARDAC's creator, who now owns a farm with a greenhouse. When Rossum dispelled its illusion, the duplicate fought the real Batman, but surprisingly, when the greenhouse collapsed, it saved Rossum. It then sought HARDAC's damaged processor; the remnant of the psychotic artificial intelligence informed it of its mission and origin.
Using the duplicate, HARDAC planned to reform over the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
, connected through the Batcomputer
Batcomputer
The Batcomputer is the fictional computer system used by comic book superhero Batman. It is located in the Batcave. The Batcomputer was first introduced in fiction in 1964.-Portrayal in fiction:...
. During its fight with Batman, however, the Dark Knight realized it had grown too much like himself; it could not kill. Seeing Batman seemingly perish after pushing him over a cliff, the distraught robot destroyed the connection, destroying itself and HARDAC along with it once and for all.
The Batman Duplicate is given a large amount of character development; the conflicting goals of following HARDAC and being like Batman give it elements of a tragic villain. At the end of the episode, Batman ponders if the creature, though robotic, had "a soul; a soul of silicon
Silicon
Silicon is a chemical element with the symbol Si and atomic number 14. A tetravalent metalloid, it is less reactive than its chemical analog carbon, the nonmetal directly above it in the periodic table, but more reactive than germanium, the metalloid directly below it in the table...
, but a soul nonetheless."
HARDAC's voice actor, Jeff Bennett, also voiced another villainous artificial intelligence in the subsequent series The Batman, the demented D.A.V.E..