Batman: The Animated Series
Welcome back! It's time to take a look back at the next two episodes of "Batman: The Animated Series." I should have said this before but going forward I'll be using the abbreviation B:TAS, which I'm sure you all would have picked up on, but just in case.
When I was thinking about the visual aesthetic of B:TAS, one thing I forgot to mention, is that making the choice to sort of mix the past and the present, the look of the show is pretty timeless. It doesn't feel dated watching the show now. When you look at "X-Men: The Animated Series", it doesn't age quite as well. The stories are great, but looking at the fashion, etc, it is very early 90's which is a little knock against it, even though I'm a huge fan.
These two episodes introduce a new villain and feature the return of a second after a very brief hiatus.
If the title wasn't a big enough tip, this episode introduces Dr. Jonathan Crane better known by most Bat fans as The Scarecrow.
Gotham University is being subjected to multiple terrorist attacks to the point where enrollment is down and they are in danger of closing. Luckily, Bruce Wayne is a GU alumni and is present at one of the attacks. The attacks are being perpetrated by disgruntled former employee, Jonathan Crane, who dons a scarecrow costume and douses anyone who gets in his way with his patented fear toxin, including the Batman. Batman has to find a way to deal with the demons brought on by the toxin so he can stop Scarecrow and save the university.
 |
"Burn the money boys!" |
I have mixed feelings about this episode. Scarecrow's overall plan is a little pedestrian and ho hum. Revenge against the institution that fired him because he was conducting dangerous, unsanctioned experiments. Meh. Also, I forgot how much I hated this first iteration of the Scarecrow costume until this re-watch. The new version is so much better than this.
The stuff with Batman and his reactions to the fear toxin are handled much better. One thing I really enjoyed about B:TAS is that they never really felt the need to revisit Batman's origin story. Even here, when Batman is being plagued by visions of his dead father, Thomas Wayne, there is no mention of his death, Zorro, or Crime Alley. The writers trust that people are familiar enough with that back story and try to use it in creative ways. I will say Batman shakes it off pretty quickly. I would have enjoyed seeing a little more struggle, though it does lead to the classic "I am vengeance. I am the night. I am Batman!" line. Also, Bats is a little haphazard dealing with the Scarecrow's henchman. They live, but not because Batman is super concerned about it.
All in all, this episode is just OK. There are better episodes and better Scarecrow centric episodes.
Grade: B-
"The Last Laugh" brings back the Clown Prince of Crime after a single episode break. This episode features a more, let's say classic Joker plot than his debut episode.
Joker uses a trash barge to transport a laughing gas cloud through Gotham City. While the citizens and the police are busy laughing themselves to the brink of insanity, Joker and his goons loot the city. Joker's plot gets personal for Batman, when Alfred is infected and he has to stop Joker before Alfred is lost to him forever.
 |
| Captain Clown!!! |
This is another episode that I'm not sure is greater than the sum of its parts. I really enjoy The Joker's plan. It is so simple yet so effective and in a way sort of hearkens back to the 1960's "Batman" television series. There are some great gags as Joker and his henchmen walk through the city and loot while people act like fools behind them.
It's always great to give Batman a personal stake in whatever is going on, outside of his general desire to stop the bad guy and save the populace of Gotham City. So, infecting Alfred is a great move and puts Batman on a clock. We all know he works great under pressure.
I also love them bringing out more of the sadistic aspects of Joker's personality. I'm thinking specifically of when he is punching "air holes" in the container he's trapped Batman in before dropping him in the water. It's great that the writers don't gloss over that part of the character.
The episode introduces one of my all-time favorite bit, and I do mean bit, B:TAS characters, Captain Clown. Captain Clown is basically a robot that Joker has dressed like a clown going on his first yacht trip, but it just works so well and I love it.
The first half of this episode works a lot more than the second half, which is basically your standard Batman running around beating up thugs and trying to catch the Joker. I get that these action set pieces are necessary, especially in something trying to appeal and engage kids, but the show is normally better at making these scenes more compelling rather than feeling like a necessary evil.
But then again, Captain Clown.
Grade: B+
Four down, a lot more to go. Check back here in a few days for more reviews and feel free to drop a line in the comment if you agree/disagree/whatever.
No comments:
Post a Comment