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Batman: The Animated Series; Good times, Great memories
Topic Started: May 8 2008, 04:31 PM (277 Views)
The Natural
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My order of Batman: The Animated Series: Volume One arrived this weekend for the bargin price of £10, and watching this as a 23 year old I appreciate the cartoon even more if possible than when I was younger. The animation and the voices deserve added praise especially Kevin Conroy who I love how the voice changes from Bruce to Batman. Whenever I read the comics and despite Christian Bale’s gravely Batman voice which I enjoyed, Kevin Conroy is Batman.

All of this adds up to making Batman: The Animated Series certainly the best superhero cartoon ever, but I'd go so far to say the greatest animated series full stop. I’m going to rank the episodes from best to worst counting two part episodes as one:

1. Heart of Ice: I have seen for a while how this was ranked at or near the top but couldn’t remember this episode for the life of me, and while I remember others quite clearly I can’t have ever seen this. However having seen it, from beginning to end, it’s faultless. I also think this is one of the best looking episodes of the whole set. Incredible work.

2. The Joker’s Favor: The best Joker episode on the set, illustrating how sadistic and cruel The Joker is letting Charlie stew while still keeping tabs on him for the favor to be cashed in. First appearance also of Harley Quinn so that lifts the episode also as does the ending where The Joker is calling for Batman of all people to save him.

3. Two-Face: Two-Face is my second favourite villain of the Batman universe as he’s the only villain Batman has a connection with personally and knows that Harvey is a good man. The first half is brilliant showing that before the physical scars, there were the mental. Animation here is particularly great showing the change from Harvey to Big Bad “Harv” with the red mist forming the background as who doesn’t see that when they go loco? Granted the second part is disappointing (although it shows there is some Dent left) but isn’t that to be expected when the first part sets such a high benchmark? The final scene along with that score with Batman and Commissioner Gordon really pulls on my heart strings.

4. Beware of The Gray Ghost: Having Adam West voice the part and seeing the parallels between his career post Batman and the character he’s voicing makes this episode particularly moving. The episode is also moving as Simon Trent is one of the few living links (along with Alfred and Leslie Thompkins) between Bruce and his family. This episode really illustrates better than any other example how a hero in childhood or adulthood can have such an impact on your life as it did to Bruce Wayne. Seeing the Gray Ghost shrine in the Batcave of all places shows that there is some Bruce in the Batcave as well as room for Batman. I also love seeing the Gray Ghost’s redemption and his surge in popularity once more. Re that ending, surely Trent figured out Bruce and Batman was one and the same?

5. On Leather Wings: The first episode and I think it’s the best looking all round from beginning to end on the whole set. Being a massive fan of Year One, I like that theme which prevails in this episode. Animation during the aerial pursuit is really top notch. Only episode on this set at least to feature a bloody Batman.

6. P.O.V. Again reminds me of Batman: Year One and shows how the police force is split on their opinion of him. The story is told in stages rather than a constant narrative and makes for a pleasant change. Montoya is really good in this, going all out to get the badges and seeing a thankful Bullock is rare.

7. The Clock King: While all the other origin episodes are serious, this is real fun showing that for one moment, a person’s life can be changed forever. The first escape from Batman is particularly entertaining.

8. See No Evil: Arguably the creepiest episode of the whole set, particularly for kids. The Mother thinks her daughter’s friend is imaginary only to find out the opposite and in turn Batman has to investigate the source of the material used.

9. Mad As A Hatter: This is equally as creepy when the Hatter uses mind control to get the love he can’t get by force. I don’t like the Mad Hatter but he cuts a tragic figure at times (certainly before when he weighs up and choose the wrong option) but I enjoyed this episode hence the high ranking more so because I don’t normally like anything to do with the Mad Hatter..

10. Pretty Poison: Second best origin of the set, I like how the dialogue in the scene with Harvey and Ivy is intermingled with Batman stopping an escapee such as “getting kicks”. Ironic as you see how good Harvey is before his change to Two-Face and Ivy being banged up in the prison built over her land. Bullock is a riot in this episode as when Gordon tells the police about a break in and then Harvey’s health, Bullock has to return for his donut.

11. Appointment in Crime Alley: I’m a big fan of the episodes which tug at your heart strings. I like this episode as it features a once prosperous area gone bad and has the same premise as The Clock King when it’s one of those days when anything and everything happens. Feel really sorry for Batman as while Rupert Thorne gets his in some episodes, Daggett at least in these doesn’t (does he eventually)? Like the second part of Two Face the ending is very moving as Batman pays his homage while being comforted by Thompkins. The music is really good during this as to be expected.

12. Feat of Clay: Posters may be surprised to see this ranked somewhat low. My main reason for doing so is while the other two parters on the disc have equal quality in both episodes, this doesn’t. The first half was disappointing while the second was really good. The interrogating of Daggett’s thugs is nice by first using the Batplane claw and then using the fear of disease on the second, slamming the wall so the “disease” gets closer to the edge. Conroy does a fantastic job during this part. Animation is incredible during the final changing. One of two episodes where Batman is really angry which I love.

13. It’s Never Too Late: Man this feels like a Christmas cartoon which isn’t as there is no snow, decorations indicating as such. Batman aims to show Stromwell the error of his ways using the present seeing his ill son and the past, his friend who lost his leg saving Stromwell when they were children.

14. The Last Laugh: My personal highlight of the episode is seeing the dynamic between Bruce and Alfred that even Alfred can make a joke, and the same goes for Bruce at the end. Seeing Alfred break things wildly with a broom always raises a chuckle. This episode shows the joking side of The Joker, rather than the sadistic side seen in the other episodes which I personally prefer.

15. Vendetta: Gives back story to Bullock, and proves that even Batman’s first assumptions can be mistaken. The final exchange between Batman and Bullock is good that despite the different paths they take, the law ties them as one.

16. Be A Clown: This story looks at the relationship between a man who is in power who wants to be seen by the right people rather than engage in his son’s more diverse interests. In this episode The Joker corrupts the innocence. Its premise is similar to The Joker’s Favor but nowhere near as good.

17. Prophecy of Doom: This is the funniest episode of the set. Reminds me of a satire that people can be corrupted into believing something (the unknown) that isn’t, that is a scam. The episode also acts as a satire on recruitment as the special brotherhood is only open for the rich. I enjoyed this episode.

18. Nothing To Fear: The best Scarecrow episode on the set. I’m a fan of origin episodes but this is the weakest one showing how the villain came to be on this set. The Batman speech is spectacular “I am Vengeance, I am the Night, I AM BATMAN”. The abrupt ending seems forced seeing Crane’s fear are bats.

19. The Cat and The Claw: Out of the big villains (The Joker, Two-Face, The Riddler, Penguin, Poison Ivy, The Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, Catwoman and The Penguin) it’s the latter two who for the life of me I can’t think have a good episode, certainly that applies to this set. The only enjoyment I got from this episode was seeing the Bruce/Selina dynamic in and out of the respective alter egos.

20. Christmas With The Joker: Christmas episodes are normally sickly sweet no matter if it’s cartoon or live action in any series, but this is one of the better ones. Isn’t this the first time the Jingle Bells Batman version was ever heard? Regardless because of this it’s one of my favourite openings of any Batman cartoon. This and the next episode are low due to a pretty big reason, I really hate Robin although the Robin in Batman: The Animated Series is a lot more bearable than in the 60’s TV series and the Schumacher shit fests.

21. Fear Of Victory: Good premise that The Scarecrow is using his fear gas to bet on sports results, but its Robin again. I also like to say that I prefer the old Scarecrow look in Nothing To Fear than the look in this. Favourite part of the episode is seeing akin to Silence Of The Lambs with Batman walking down the Arkham corridors.

22. Dreams of Darkness: Interesting that Batman is imprisoned in the Asylum where all his adversaries wise up but I couldn’t get into this. This may be because I was tired.

23. I’ve Got Batman In My Basement. Batman meets Home Alone. This was one of my favourite episodes as a kid, but as the ranking shows, not any more. Batman and kids don’t mix. The Penguin gets the same treatment as Catwoman (see The Cat and The Claw so I don’t have to repeat myself again).

24. The Underdwellers: This was the second episode where Batman got real angry as you knew when he saw what was happening in that sewer, payback would be a bitch. Batman himself even admitted so letting the Sewer King know that he was sorely tempted to leave him to meet the train. Public announcement that guns and kids don’t mix so reminded me of the Transformers…

25. The Forgotten: Easily the worst episode in the set although the premise of Bruce going undercover is interesting only to go tits up. I can’t even remember nor am I willing to revisit the episode to find the ginger character’s name as he was so damn annoying. Come to think of it, so too was the generic lard arse villain of the piece. This is the only episode I won’t come back to. Outside of the restrictions of this set, I’d be hard pressed to think of any episode worse from any series.
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The Natural
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*Bump for Acadius first, and also for those who wish to discuss Batman: The Animated Series*
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Acadius
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You know, one day I'll actually get to watch this... it's on my wish list for the postal DVD rental thing... so sometime in the future I may actually be able to discuss it properly!
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Salty
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We Are SEX BOB-OMB!

I broke out season one last night and watched a few episodes. It's such a great show.
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Acadius
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Broke as I am, I'm currently watching Buffy via the DVD postal rental place instead of forking out for them all... I'm only on disk 2 of season 2, so I probably have quite some time before I get to see this. Still... classics remain classics I guess, and it isn't going anywhere!
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Salty
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We Are SEX BOB-OMB!

Yeah.

After Batman Animated you need to watch Superman Animated then move on to the Justice Leagues. It's all awesome.
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The Natural
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Just got Batman: The Animated Series Volume 2, the last to hit the UK (UK for some reason are still waiting for the other 2) and I plan to watch them during the weekend and review them as I did the first. Started watching a couple.
Edited by The Natural, Jul 8 2008, 05:47 PM.
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Salty
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We Are SEX BOB-OMB!

The DVD of Gotham Knight comes with four episodes. In blu-ray its awesome.
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