Batman: The Animated Series
I've had an almost lifelong love of comic books that has only grown as I've gotten older. The first movie that I remember clearly seeing in theaters was Tim Burton's "Batman" in 1989. I was six years old. That was the spark that really got me going. For a long time, I was all about the Dark Knight. "Batman" was just the beginning. Then, there was "Batman Returns" which I loved even more than the first, mainly because of Catwoman.
The premiere of "Batman: The Animated Series" on September 6, 1992 was the thing that cemented my forever love of Batman and to this day is the best presentation of the character as far as I am concerned and I'm sure it's the same for anyone who grew up watching the show. When I'm reading a Batman comic it's Kevin Conroy's voice I hear in my head when Batman speaks or Mark Hamill's when The Joker is detailing his latest evil scheme. It's not just them. It's any of the iconic voices that voice casting director Andrea Romano introduced us to.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of "Batman: the Animated Series" so I thought now would be the perfect time to revisit the show and review each episode. The plan is to do two episodes per blog post. I'll be counting double episodes as one so I can get each part in the same post. I'm also going to be going through the episodes in DVD order, which I believe is production order, rather than air date. I also know that people have strong opinions about this beloved series and these reviews are going to be super subjective. I encourage anyone who reads these to comment, question, etc., just be respectful. This is just my opinion. So, here we go.
The first episode of the show really sets the tone for what's to come. The first thing you notice is the overall look of the series. It's both modern and of the past. It borrows heavily from the Burton Batman movies. The music is a variation on Danny Elfman's score. There are also elements lifted from the Max Fleischer Superman cartoons of the 1940's. Gotham City is portrayed both as bleak and light. The tone is relatively adult. It trusts that kids are smarter than a lot of adults give them credit for, but at the same time, it's not vulgar. It doesn't dumb down things or rely on juvenile humor. It respects the source, which I think is one of the things that was most key to the success of the show.
The plot of "On Leather Wings" is standard Batman fare. Various pharmaceutical companies around Gotham are being robbed and the only witness identifies Batman as the culprit. This is all the motivation that Mayor Hill needs to grant Detective Harvey Bullock a special task force to track down and apprehend the Batman. Batman isn't going to take this lying down, so he investigates both as Batman and Bruce Wayne and finds out the culprit is Dr. Kirk Langstrom. Langstrom has created a serum that has created a new species, a humanoid bat, a... Man Bat. Man Bat has been taking control and robbing the pharmaceutical companies for the final ingredient to make the transformation permanent.
There is a lot to love in this first episode. The first is Conroy's performance as both Batman and Bruce Wayne. There is a distinct shift in both vocal tone and cadence which is great. Conroy really plays up Bruce's billionaire cluelessness. It doesn't matter how many times I watch this episode, I always chuckle when Bruce greets Dr. March with a jovial "What's up Doc?" Conroy's Batman isn't all darkness and grit. He pulls it out when needed, like when he finally confronts Langstrom, but there is some playfulness as he verbally spars with Alfred in the Batcave.
I also love how there are no throwaways in the episode. From the two policemen in the blimp to the wanna be radio announcer security guard, everything has a purpose. The episode also does a great job of putting Batman as a detective first, vigilante second. The writers also made a smart choice in making Man Bat the first official villain of the show. Having the antagonist be a lesser known member of Batman's Rogues Gallery, it keeps the focus directly where it needs to be: on the Dark Knight Detective.
If there is one knock against the episode, it's that it is a touch too formulaic. There is the obvious misdirect of Dr. March and Batman is never really in any danger from the GCPD. It's clear from the start that Commissioner Gordon doesn't believe that Batman is the thief and it's proven pretty early on so that robs the episode of some dramatic tension. All in all though, it's a solid start to the series.
Grade: B+
This is it friends. The moment we've all been waiting for. I think we all remember where we were when we first heard Mark Hamill's infamous Joker laugh. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm being hyperbolic. Whatever the case, there is something about hearing that cackle. It sends a chill up your spine and depending on who you are, it might be one of fear or delight. Who would have thought that Luke Skywalker would be capable of such mania?
The episode finds Batman and Robin praying for a peaceful Christmas Eve so they can stay in and watch "It's a Wonderful Life." Bruce has never seen it before, maybe it's the title. Odds of them being able to take the night off are slim, since the Joker has chosen that day to bust out of Arkham Asylum. To lure the Bat out, Joker commandeers the Gotham City television station (is there just one?) and airs his very own twisted Christmas special, "Christmas With the Joker." This leads the Caped Crusaders on a Christmas Eve rush around Gotham trying to stop the various traps Joker has set and get to his location in time to save the "Lawful" family: Commissioner Gordon, Bullock and television reporter Summer Gleason, though I'm unsure if she is name checked in the episode.
The Joker is handled spectacularly well in this episode. I love the parody of cheesy holiday specials and the writers do a great job of ratcheting up the tension just when you start to get a little comfortable.
The episode is chock full of killer action set pieces. There is the train the Dynamic Duo have to stop from crashing, the fire fight atop Mount Gotham and the climactic final battle between the heroes and the Joker.
I can't heap enough praise on Hamill. He gets every shade of the Joker right. Every inflection. It's sheer perfection. It's like this was the role that he was born to play. Sorry "Star Wars" fans. The writers deserve a lot of praise though too. They get the characterization of the Joker just right. That razor sharp line of, let's call it "entertaining psychosis." It's like Joker is doing this because yes, he's psychotic and doesn't really care if anyone lives or dies, but it's almost like he just wants Batman to pay attention to him and this is the best way he's learned to do it. The gags in the episode are great. There is Joker's hand puppet, Laffy. The cardboard audience members composed of Gotham's most well known citizens, including Batman and Robin. An audience he promptly blows up during one of his tantrums. There is the arms included jacket he wriggles out of with Batman in pursuit. So much goodness.
One funny thing that still bothers me to this day: Robin's cape. Robin's cape is yellow. Not black with a yellow lining. Yellow. I hated that as a kid and turns out, I still hate it now. One of those silly things that super nerds like me, latch onto. Seriously though. I hate that cape.
Grade: A-
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