Batman the Animated Series Appreciation

[BreakABone]

Yes, it still remains one of the greatest cartoons of all time. And has a hell of a lineage.

Some backstory on the show.
Shamelessly stolen from Wiki

The original series was partially inspired by Tim Burton's 1989 blockbuster Batman film and the acclaimed Superman cartoons produced by Fleischer Studios in the 1940s. Timm and Radomski designed the series by closely emulating the Tim Burton films' "otherworldy timelessness", incorporating period features such as black-and-white title cards, police blimps, 40s influenced fashion, 40s influenced car styling and a "vintage" color scheme in a largely film noir-influenced style.

The original pilot for the show. http://youtube.com/watch?v=c3MWvCiw-Pw

The series initially took as its theme a variation of music written by Danny Elfman for Burton's Batman film; later episodes of the series used a new theme with a similar style by Shirley Walker. The score of the series was influenced by Elfman and Walker's work on Batman and Batman Returns and the music of 40s film noir.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Y-xkYepfjkM
The Original Intro
http://youtube.com/watch?v=upmXKi2y5PY
The Batman and Robin Intro

In their constant quest to make the show darker, the producers pushed the boundaries of action cartoons: it was the first such cartoon in years to depict firearms being fired instead of laser guns (although no one is ever actually shot with a firearm), as well as Batman actually punching and kicking the antagonists; in addition, many of the series' backgrounds were painted on black paper. The distinctive visual combination of film noir imagery and Art Deco designs with a very dark color scheme was called "Dark Deco" by the producers. First-time producers Timm and Radomski reportedly encountered resistance from studio executives, but the success of Burton's first film allowed the embryonic series to survive long enough to produce a pilot episode, "On Leather Wings", which according to Timm "got a lot of people off our backs."

The Emmy Award-winning series quickly received wide acclaim for its distinctive animation and mature writing, and it instantly became a hit. Fans of a wide age range praised the show's sophisticated, cinematic tone and psychological stories. Voice-actor Kevin Conroy used two distinct voices to portray Bruce Wayne and Batman, as Michael Keaton had done in the films. This series also featured a supporting cast that included major actors performing the voices of the various classic villains, most notably Mark Hamill, who defined a whole new career for himself in animation. with his cheerfully deranged portrayal of the Joker. The voice recording sessions were recorded with the actors together in a studio, like a radio play, unlike the majority of animated films, in which the principal voice actors record separately and never meet (various interviews have noted that such an arrangement (having the cast record together) was a benefit to the show as a whole, as the actors were able to 'react' to each other, rather than simply 'reading the words').

http://youtube.com/watch?v=X79Y4pTX_rQ
Voices of The Knight.
Look at the voice cast of the show.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9qgi3eX4JeE
The Title Cards

So that's the beginning of the thread. Here's my original part.
I got a recent urge to watch this cartoon once again (I blame the tangent in the two Dark Knight threads really) and figured since was going to go through all the episodes for the first time since freshman year of college (about 5 years ago now) that I would watch them with a somewhat fresh eye.

I also thought that I would try and rate all the episodes but that would be a hell of a task. So I used the DVDs which roughly breaks them up into chunks of 28 episodes or so. And will rank the DVD episodes as they are and like a final top 10 or something when done.

So Volume 1

Do this in reverse order I guess.

28)
The Underwellers
One of my least favorite episodes in the whole universe. As a kid, it was just a weird episode. As an adult, I get the message but don't know if Batman is the right person to carry it.

27)
Be A Clown
Not a really good Joker episode. With a pretty lame premise really.

26)
I've Got Batman in my Basement
This is like the whole idea of adding Robin to the mix to make Batman appeal to kids, but on a lot worse scale really. Penguin in the original cartoon was pretty lame as well I think.

25)
Prophecy of Doom
It is passable.

24)
The Cat and the Claw PArt 2
I don't like the Red Claw at all really. And well this was a much weaker episode than the first half.

23)
The Last Laugh
Yeah, the beginning of the show was working on improving the Joker. He had some weak first few episodes, but got golden when they got Harley.

22)
See No Evil
This was a pretty cool episode. And had a lot of sweet moments. Such as Batman "flying" with the invisible car or the final fight in the rain/water when he can finally see the dude.

21)
Mad As a Hatter
I'll admit I was only half watching this episode. I forgot what the hell was doing. I did enjoy what I saw though if that counts. :lol

20)
Christmas with the Joker
This was a good episode and believe one of only a few seasonal episodes they did in the whole run of the show.
It gets some bonus points for the use of Robin's corny as hell "I know why they call you Batman" while he is using a bat to knock out toy airplanes.

19)
Vendetta
The intro to Killer Croc and more backstory on Bullock. Good episode.

18)
Pretty Poison
A solid episode. Which also had the interesting twist of pairing Pamela with Harvey. Which would pay off in Almost Got'Em.

17)
Joker's Favor
This would be lower if not for the intro of Harley, the makeshift batsignal and Charlie flipping out on the end at the Joker.

16)
Fear of Victory
I liked pretty much all the Scarecrow's episodes on this set. This was just the weakest of the 3 which doesn't say much really. Really good episode. And one of those commenting while action is going on scenes (later done in JL I believe)

15)
Two-Face Part 2
Another two parter in which the first part was better. Of course, this was a good episode. The first was just a better character story.

14)
It's Never Too Late
A solid episode focusing on Gotham's changing underworld. Something that is hardly ever really touched on in this series.

13)
Feat of Clay Part 1
This time the second part is the better of the two. One of the few times would ever say this but prefer Clayface's origins in The Batman.

12)
The Cat and The Claw
A nice introduction to Catwoman and the Batman/Catwoman, Bruce/Selina chemistry.

11)
Feat of Clay part 2
A good episode for Clayface. His relationship with his sidekick is a little weird but what can you say.

I got to say other than the first 3 or so it is really tough to say which episodes liked better than others. So naming a top 10 is gonna be a pain.

10)
Nothing to Fear
Introduction to the Scarecrow. Good episode. But the fear toxin would be used much better in many other episodes.

9)
On Leather Wings
It gets top 10 nomination just for being the first. It is a solid introduction to the world of Batman and it was a nice touch having his first challenge be against his extreme opposite. Only episode to feature blood as well I believe.

8)
Two-Face
Big Bad Harv. Hell what can I say I liked the psychological episodes a lot. This was a great way to really get his character going by having him not too stable before he turned into Two-Face. Though, I wondered how he met a girl so soon after Poison Ivy. And apparently got engaged to her as wel.

7)
Dreams in Darkness
Like I said I enjoy the psychological episodes. This was another good Scarecrow episode. With a time release fear toxin. This one was less about fear though but was pretty nice. I also enjoyed the fact that part of it was told in a flashback while Batman is in Arkham.

6)
The Clock King
The Clock King was an interesting villian. He had a good sound reason for doing what he was doing. It was enjoyable.

5)
Beware the Grey Ghost
Who doesn't love the Gray Ghost? And using Adam West? Also adding it as a bit that influenced Bruce's design of the Batcave and actually having a role model. One of my favorite episodes.

4)
P.O.V
I think a severely underrated episode. We get the introduction of Montaya. A hardass Bullock. And a Serg who wants blood. More importantly, we get different tales of the Batman. With the rookie's account being the best. batman's magical hands.

3)
The Forgotten
A damn fine episode. Made even better by some of the best music in the series. Alfred flying the Batplane is also one of the best scenes of the series. The ending was awesome as well. And unlike the Underwellers I got this message and felt it wasn't too heavy handed.

2)
Appointment in Crime Alley
Rewatching this episode it shot up my list a ton. I've always enjoyed it but for some reason watching it again just made it so much better in my mind.

1)
Heart of Ice
A rather "meh" pick I know. It is a favorite of a lot of people but it is a hell of an episode. Touching and moving. Some of the best visuals of the series. And not many cheesy ice puns.

So that is it for Volume 1. Hopefully can get through Volume 2 in the next few weeks.

[BreakABone]

Just finished Volume 2.
Should probably give it some time, but I think have a pretty general idea.

I will say as a whole Volume 2 isn't as strong as volume 1. There aren't any episodes that I dislike, but there were more episodes I just felt were okay.



Volume 2 introduces the Riddler. I could be mistaken, but I believe he is the only new Rogue given a proper introduction in this set. There were a lot more episodes focused on Batman's world and other humans.

Zatanna is given her solo appearance in TAS. And we are briefly introduced to Ra's. Talia gets an introduction, but it isn't a proper debut for her even though in most of the episode. :lol

The problem with having a pretty small range is it is tough to pick the order as don't really hate any episodes. :lol

28)
Moon of the Wolf
The episode was there. Honestly don't remember much. Batman fights a werewolf who is an athlete in training who takes animals steroids or something. Manbat I get, werewolf not so much.

27)
Cat Scratch Fever
Another episode where I really can't remember much from. I believe that Catwoman got poisoned from a cat from Ronald daggett or something along those lines. I really can't remember much else from this.

26)
Night of the Ninja
Don't know why wasn't really a fan of any of these episodes even though enjoyed getting a bit more backstory in Bruce's training.

25)
Eternal Youth
Oddly enough, the episode I remember disliking the most from the set before watching it again. It is kind of inoffensive just nothing special really.

24)
Off Balance
The episode gave us the introduction to Talia and a sneak peek at Ra's, but other than that it served no real purpose.

23)
Tyer, Tyger
IT was a decent episode, but I never got the poem sad to admit so I'm sure I don't get the episode on some level. Maybe someone can explain it?

22)
Birds of a Feather
This is a weird placement for it. For one, I believe this is one of the best versions of the penguin in the original cartoon. With him being less of a monster and more of a gentlemenly rogue. The rest of the episode just falls flat. Which is kind of the opposite of the Mechanic.

21)
Joker's Wild
It was an interesting scam. And I'm pretty sure it would have worked if not for Batman. This episode though mostly stands out for the moments in Arkham. And the scene with Bruce and the Joker.

20)
Paging the Crime Doctor
This episode is hate or miss. And personally, it is only this high up for one reason and that is the final scene with Bruce and Matt Thorne where he asks for more about his father. That got to me. Other than that, it was so so.

19)
The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne
Well we all know Bruce's secret. The way that Dr. Strange got it was a little weird, but eh. The Penguin, Joker and Two-Face scene really make this episode for me.

18)
The Man Who Killed Batman
This is oddly enough one of those Joker making episodes. It so clearly defines the role that these two share in each other's lives while at the same time having very little interaction (if any?) with each other.

17)
The Mechanic
Well, this was as stated above. A pretty poor Penguin episode. The whole premise has been done to death, I believe in the 60s show as well as in Returns. But I don't know the backstory to the Batmobile and it actually being built was cool. Sadly, I felt that it would have been a great place to introduce a new Batmobile. Like what The Batman did.

16)
What is Reality?
A pretty decent Riddler episode. The premise was intriguing. Never realized how much TAS relied on Riddler being more into games than like riddles and stuff. But I guess games are just one format.

15)
Day of the Samurai
A better episode than Night of the Ninja. The backstory and whole premise was interesting. The death blow and Batman's counter was cool as well. I also believe this is one of the few times we get a death that seems to be perm.

14)
Heart of Steel 2
From my experience, this show has a history of having a better part 1 and a somewhat weaker but still good part 2. This was the same case.

13)
Terror in The Sky
A good follow-up to the Man-Bat episode. I guess with She-Bat? Don't really know. It was a good little mystery. Interesting conclusion.

12)
The Laughing Fish
I just love the premise. The Joker tries to patent fish. He knows it won't work so he tortures people who stood in his way. As Batman says, Normal criminals usually have logical motives, but the Joker's insane schemes make sense to him alone.

11)
Robin's Reckoning 2
Once again 1>2, but in this case it is really all good. And I just need to start putting an order on it. I prefer the first one because of the origins of Robin and batman's older costume and hunting zuccko. This one is still damn good on its own. except for Batman making such a rookie mistake.

10)
Zatanna
I for some reason don't remember this episode much, but I really enjoyed watching it. Zatanna is an awesome character. Sadly, this episode miss her one great trait of having to speak her spell backwards. We also get more background on Bruce. Liked the foreshadowing of a Joker in his future.

9)

Mudslide
An awesome follow-up to Feat of Clay. The final fight with Batman and Clayface was brutal on so many levels. With Clayface trying to suffocate Batman in his chest to Batman using his grappling hook through clayface's skull. Hell this episode deserves double pictures just for those images.

8)
Heart of Steel
I like episode with more suspense I guess. This episode was cool. And very different from your standard Batman affair it would seem. The reveal of the whole operation was cool. And robot Gordon.

7)
Harley and Ivy
A really good episode. This was the start of a really interesting relationship between the two. Sadly, the follow-up where they add Livewire doesn't work as well. But this is good stuff. Especially with them finally being caught by Montaya.

6)
The Cape and the Cowl Conspiracy
One of my favorite episodes. The whole set-up of Batman was genius. And the reveal was pretty damn cool. Second only to Almost Got'em. Also, this started Batman's tradition of taunting his oppenents after defeat. :lol And the introduction of the Batsignal.

5)
I Am The Night
Really strong episode. In a similar vein to Appointment in Crime Alley. I would also like to recommend Officer Down which is very similar story, I think done a bit better. The episode as a whole was fine too.

4)
IF You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?
Riddler is probably my favorite Batman villian. This was his introduction. Good episode. a decent use of Robin as well.

3)
Robin's Reckoning
A solid origin tales for the Boy Wonder. Much better than a movie that tried to do the same.

2)
Perchance to Dream
This was a really tough one. I could go either way with number 1 or number 2. I just took the route that I liked the more goofy nature of number 1 a bit more. This however is a really really really solid episode. One of the best in the show.

1)
http://i9.tinypic.com/8ad0j61.jpg [i]This image stretched the page too much but it is a pretty sweet cap of the table[i]
Almost Got'Im
This is one hell of an episode. It is like the best clip show to ever grace a television screen. This episode has it all. Rogues. Tales of triumpant (almost). Several views on the Batman. Him playing the greatest trick of them all. And well it is a much watch.

That concludes Volume 2 of Batman the Animated Series.
As all volumes of this show, recommended. But if you had a choice would personally pick Volume 1 so far.

~Edit~
Got to give thanks to The World's Finest for all the images.

[BreakABone]

Ok falling behind on my viewing due to a number of things so figured I would mix it up a bit.

This will focus on the first of 3 movies and luckily enough for me the movies all go in order of quality.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a 1993 animated superhero film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman. Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm directed the film, which stars Kevin Conroy as Batman, as well as Dana Delany, Hart Bochner, Mark Hamill, Abe Vigoda and Stacey Keach. The film's storyline introduces Andrea Beaumont, an old love interest of Bruce Wayne arriving into Gotham City, reintroducing the romance between the two. At the same time, a mysterious murderer begins systematically eliminating Gotham's crime bosses, and due to the person's dark appearance, he is mistaken for Batman. Now on the run, Batman must solve the mystery (which involves The Joker) and deal with the upheaval romance between him and Andrea.

I may get a lot of flank for this or I may not, but as an origin movie/tale I don't think any other version comes close. Begins is awesome as is Year One but this does so much right that it just fits.

One of the best parts of the movie is that you are shown that Bruce actually has a chance at happiness that vengeance will not rule his world but when that chance is taken away as well he finally decides to don the famous cape and cowl. I feel this extra element is missing in both Begins and Year One. Because a lot of people always argue why doesn't he give more money to the police or something and I think the answer that happiness will always be stolen from him erases all of that.

On to the rest of the movie
http://youtube.com/watch?v=En2mJ9BqfU4
First the movie opens with one of the most beautiful versions of the classic Batman themes. I am a total nerd for this, but it was the first thing I tested out when got my surround sound speakers. :lol


The movie starts off with a new figure haunting the underworld of Gotham.
A lot of people including politicians, mobsters and the police believe it to be the work of the Batman.
One of the driving elements is that Batman is getting the blame for all of these deeds which results in the police chase and the Joker being called in.


The first meeting of the two main character. Andrea and Bruce where they are both there to mourn lost one(s).


Bruce's first costume. Thanks to this he realizes he needs something more dramatic as he doesn't instill fear into his foes.


One of the best scenes in the movie even though it is so subtle. The police have mistaken the titular Phantasm for Batman so they set a trap for him by turning on the Batsignal and hoping to catch him but he outsmarts them and as this screen shows is actually driving away from a call for help for like the first time.



Hints of his future.
He seems the Batmobile at the Fair.
And he is designing his costume outside of Wayne Manor.


Bruce pops the question.
And gets a yes!


The next morning that is ripped away from him though...


He decides to don the costume.
Alfred's reaction to the birth of Batman.

There is so much more that could actually be said about this movie. As a Batman feature film it has the overall package. An intriguing mystery that he uses his detective skills to figure out. An appearance from his greatest foe. A love story that doesn't seem forced. An all out police chase of the Batman. I am sure there aren't many but if you have not seen this movie it comes with the highest of recommendations.

And as stated before this is the best of the animated Batman movies and they kind of go down in quality afterwards. (not counting Return of the Joker here since that is technically a Beyond movie)

Some choice quotes

REEVES (on TV): What kind of city are we running when we depend on the support of a potential MADMAN ?
ALFRED STOPS THE TV
ALFRED: Such rot, sir. Why, you're the very model of sanity. Oh, by the way, I pressed your tights and put away your exploding gas balls.
BRUCE: Thank you, Alfred.

BRUCE (to his parents' grave): It doesn't mean I don't care anymore. I don't want to let you down, honest, but... but it just doesn't hurt so bad anymore. You can understand that, can't you ? Look, I can give money to the city to hire more cops. Let's someone else take the risk, it's different now !
A LIGHTNING LIGHTS THE GRAVE
BRUCE: Please. I need it to be different now. I know I made a promise, but I didn't see this coming. I didn't count on being happy.

JOKER: I'm impressed, lady. You're harder to kill than a cockroach on steroids.