Batman: The Animated Series
One of the many great things about B: TAS is the inspiration it takes from the source material. The writers of the show aren't afraid to take classic Batman tales from the comics and adapt them to fit the format of the show. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the show's introductions to the al Ghul's, the first of which we meet in the first episode this post deals with.
Batman: Four against one. Nasty odds!
Talia: I can take care of myself, thank you!
Batman: So I see.
Talia: Still, the gesture is appreciated.
Batman: Don't mention it. Just whose side are you on?
Talia: That would be telling.
Batman gets a tip from an informant that they mysterious Society of Shadows is behind a series of tech robberies that have been happening around Gotham. Their next target is a train delivering WayneTech's newest invention, an ultrasonic drill. Count Vertigo joins the Society and is able to subdue Batman and steal the drill, despite intervention from a mysterious woman. Batman finds the Society and the woman and is forced to team up with her to get the drill back. But, can Batman trust her?
There is nothing wrong with this episode. It's your run-of-the-mill episode of a popular cartoon series featuring a superhero. There is a serviceable plot, some nice action sequences, a femme fatale and a triple cross. It's perfectly fine, but while this would be ok if it were any other animated series, this is B: TAS we are talking about. We know they can do better. We know that they can be phenomenal. Transcendent even. I mean, just look at the next episode I'm covering in this blog. It is sort of a double edged sword.
The plot of this is standard stuff. A vaguely defined techno ninja cult going after something WayneTech has designed for who knows what. If you've watched "Arrow" you know that Count Vertigo is a pretty lame villain and unfortunately, he doesn't get much better in this episode. The main selling point for this episode is the introduction of Batman's eventual baby mama, Talia al Ghul.
The one thing I remember about Talia is her eyes. The way they color them made me think she was blind when I first watched this episode. The way Batman reacts to Talia is kind of strange and feels a little out of character. He's not as concerned as. he probably should be when she finds out his true identity. He's upset for a hot second, but after that he gets over it.
I really enjoyed the sequence where Batman leads Talia through Vertigo's death trap. It is a bit annoying that Batman has to be the one to save and one up these totally capable women and he has to be kind of a jerk about it. Of course, he had his eyes closed. Though they do give Talia some moments to shine. It's pretty badass when she jumps blind and rings the bell to disorient Vertigo.
It's not a huge shock when Talia double crosses Batman to steal the ultrasonic drill, but of course, Batman predicted that so he sabotages it so her dad, Ra's al Ghul, can't use it. Ra's al Ghul is a nice reveal, especially for Bat fans. Bruce shouldn't have been so cavalier about that identity reveal, huh?
Grade: B-
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| Oh no! Oval lines! |
The plot of this is standard stuff. A vaguely defined techno ninja cult going after something WayneTech has designed for who knows what. If you've watched "Arrow" you know that Count Vertigo is a pretty lame villain and unfortunately, he doesn't get much better in this episode. The main selling point for this episode is the introduction of Batman's eventual baby mama, Talia al Ghul.
The one thing I remember about Talia is her eyes. The way they color them made me think she was blind when I first watched this episode. The way Batman reacts to Talia is kind of strange and feels a little out of character. He's not as concerned as. he probably should be when she finds out his true identity. He's upset for a hot second, but after that he gets over it.
I really enjoyed the sequence where Batman leads Talia through Vertigo's death trap. It is a bit annoying that Batman has to be the one to save and one up these totally capable women and he has to be kind of a jerk about it. Of course, he had his eyes closed. Though they do give Talia some moments to shine. It's pretty badass when she jumps blind and rings the bell to disorient Vertigo.
It's not a huge shock when Talia double crosses Batman to steal the ultrasonic drill, but of course, Batman predicted that so he sabotages it so her dad, Ra's al Ghul, can't use it. Ra's al Ghul is a nice reveal, especially for Bat fans. Bruce shouldn't have been so cavalier about that identity reveal, huh?
Grade: B-
"WHERE IS HE? He's never been late! There's a certain rhythm to these things: I make trouble, he shows up, we have a few laughs and the game starts all over again. [glowers at Sid] Only no, thanks to YOU... I have this terrible feeling that he's really not coming."
Batman is dead. Who finally did him in? Not Penguin, not Two-Face, not Poison Ivy. And not the Joker. It was a two-bit wannabe thug named Sid, or Sid the Squid as he becomes to be known. The thing is, Sid didn't kill Batman on purpose. On a job, Sid is assigned look out and Batman shows up. After saving Sid from falling off the roof, Batman falls and is seemingly electrocuted. Sid tries to come clean, but no one believes him and when Joker finds out, Sid may be joining the Dark Knight.
I'd love to be a fly on the wall in the B: TAS writers room. I'd be curious to see the other writers reaction when they read Paul Dini's latest script. Were they waiting for him to turn in a flop? A script that wouldn't result in another all-time classic B: TAS episode. I mean, how long can one man keep this up? They can't all be stellar, right? Well, I'm sure Dini wrote a few just OK scripts, but this isn't one of them.
Of all the Joker episodes B: TAS has produced, and there have been quite a few, this one maybe does the best so far of really exploring how the Joker views his relationship to Batman. It's something that I don't think I really thought too much about as a kid, but it really resonated with me as I re-watched this episode. Joker doesn't necessarily want to kill Batman. Would he be upset if any of his plans were successful? Well, yes... and no. He sort of lays it out in his "eulogy" for the Dark Knight, which I will reprint in full here, because it is amazing and I want it readily available: (Feel free to skip it and keep reading after it's done)
"Dear friends... today is the day the Clown cried. And he cries not for the passing of one man, but for the death of a dream. The dream that he would someday taste the ultimate victory over his hated enemy. For it was the Batman who made me the happy soul I am today. How I agonized over the perfect way to thank him for that. Perhaps with a cyanide pie in the face. Or an exploding whoopee-cushion playfully planted in the Batmobile. [Anger starts to creep into his tone as he looks at Sidney; everyone moves away from Sid quickly] But those dreams were dashed by the weaselly little gunsel sitting there in our midst. The cowardly insignificant going who probably got lucky when Batman slipped on the slime trail this loser left behind him. This mound of diseased hyena filth who's not fit to lick the dirt from my spats...! [regains composure] But I digress. The time for sorrow has passed. It's time to look to a future filled with smiles. And I'll be smiling again just as soon as we take that man THERE [points to Sid] ... and slap him in that box THERE... [points to Batman's coffin] ... and roll him into that vat of acid THERE... [points to said vat of acid]
It's perfection and Hamill sells the shit out of it. This episode is really funny. Don't get me wrong. I've chuckled at B: TAS before, typically in Joker episodes, but this one had some lines where I guffawed. Harley's quips. The scene where Joker unleashes Harley's pet hyenas on a henchman who dared question him and a call back to that when they cut to the bandaged up good who smartly keeps his mouth shut when Mr. J asks if has any questions.
This episode also really starts to show how dysfunctional and abusive the Harley/Joker relationship is. There have been some signs in previous episodes since her introduction but this one has maybe the most explicit example. When Joker tells Harley to replace the stolen jewels once he realizes Batman isn't coming to stop them, Harley is of course, reluctant. Joker is quick to violence. Putting her in a chokehold until she agrees. It's sobering and the clearest example yet that this relationship is not something to be idolized or put on some pedestal. I'm looking at you "Suicide Squad" writers.
This episode really took me surprise. It's not an episode that I remember clearly or had any sort of expectations for. Now, if you asked for a list of my top ten favorite B: TAS episodes, "The Man Who Killed Batman" would definitely be on it.
Grade: A
All right, two more in the books. Next time, we find out what Clayface has been up to and meet the Crime Doctor.
As always, I'm interested in your thoughts, so feel free to drop me a line in the comments.
Batman is dead. Who finally did him in? Not Penguin, not Two-Face, not Poison Ivy. And not the Joker. It was a two-bit wannabe thug named Sid, or Sid the Squid as he becomes to be known. The thing is, Sid didn't kill Batman on purpose. On a job, Sid is assigned look out and Batman shows up. After saving Sid from falling off the roof, Batman falls and is seemingly electrocuted. Sid tries to come clean, but no one believes him and when Joker finds out, Sid may be joining the Dark Knight.
 |
| Sad. |
Of all the Joker episodes B: TAS has produced, and there have been quite a few, this one maybe does the best so far of really exploring how the Joker views his relationship to Batman. It's something that I don't think I really thought too much about as a kid, but it really resonated with me as I re-watched this episode. Joker doesn't necessarily want to kill Batman. Would he be upset if any of his plans were successful? Well, yes... and no. He sort of lays it out in his "eulogy" for the Dark Knight, which I will reprint in full here, because it is amazing and I want it readily available: (Feel free to skip it and keep reading after it's done)
"Dear friends... today is the day the Clown cried. And he cries not for the passing of one man, but for the death of a dream. The dream that he would someday taste the ultimate victory over his hated enemy. For it was the Batman who made me the happy soul I am today. How I agonized over the perfect way to thank him for that. Perhaps with a cyanide pie in the face. Or an exploding whoopee-cushion playfully planted in the Batmobile. [Anger starts to creep into his tone as he looks at Sidney; everyone moves away from Sid quickly] But those dreams were dashed by the weaselly little gunsel sitting there in our midst. The cowardly insignificant going who probably got lucky when Batman slipped on the slime trail this loser left behind him. This mound of diseased hyena filth who's not fit to lick the dirt from my spats...! [regains composure] But I digress. The time for sorrow has passed. It's time to look to a future filled with smiles. And I'll be smiling again just as soon as we take that man THERE [points to Sid] ... and slap him in that box THERE... [points to Batman's coffin] ... and roll him into that vat of acid THERE... [points to said vat of acid]
It's perfection and Hamill sells the shit out of it. This episode is really funny. Don't get me wrong. I've chuckled at B: TAS before, typically in Joker episodes, but this one had some lines where I guffawed. Harley's quips. The scene where Joker unleashes Harley's pet hyenas on a henchman who dared question him and a call back to that when they cut to the bandaged up good who smartly keeps his mouth shut when Mr. J asks if has any questions.
This episode also really starts to show how dysfunctional and abusive the Harley/Joker relationship is. There have been some signs in previous episodes since her introduction but this one has maybe the most explicit example. When Joker tells Harley to replace the stolen jewels once he realizes Batman isn't coming to stop them, Harley is of course, reluctant. Joker is quick to violence. Putting her in a chokehold until she agrees. It's sobering and the clearest example yet that this relationship is not something to be idolized or put on some pedestal. I'm looking at you "Suicide Squad" writers.
This episode really took me surprise. It's not an episode that I remember clearly or had any sort of expectations for. Now, if you asked for a list of my top ten favorite B: TAS episodes, "The Man Who Killed Batman" would definitely be on it.
Grade: A
All right, two more in the books. Next time, we find out what Clayface has been up to and meet the Crime Doctor.
As always, I'm interested in your thoughts, so feel free to drop me a line in the comments.
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