Monday, Nov. 2 2009 @ 8:02AM
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It seems like there will always be new Batman cartoons and new movies offering up new approaches to the character. And DC Comics will keep doing crazy new crap to Batman like pretending he's dead when he's really back in caveman times. The sad truth is that the pinnacle of Batman storytelling has already been reached, and anything that follows has been and will be but a shadow of perfection. The perfection of which we speak is Batman: The Animated Series (and its later incarnations), the mid to late-1990s cartoon that managed to distill the best elements of the Batman universe and remold them into a story that was engaging, darkly beautiful and simply perfect in just about every way. Batman was dark, serious and the greatest detective in the world, yet not overbearing and retained a sense of humor when appropriate. The origins of Batman and his villains and allies were perfected into their purest form, and the stories took place in a coherent universe. Although it was a cartoon, the show didn't pander. A high achievement, Batman: The Animated Series has many excellent episodes. These are, in our opinion, the creamiest of the crop.
15) The Clock King
Most people remember the Clock King as one of the typically ridiculous villains-of-the-week from the Adam West Batman series. Bruce Timm and Paul Dini gave the character new life and real menace in this episode, in which time-obsessed efficiency expert Temple Fugate follows some advice to break away from his regimented schedule for a longer lunch break, and ends up having his life ruined after a series of mishaps causes him to be, ironically, late to a court date. Years later, he shows up as the Clock King to get revenge on the man who gave him the bad advice, now the current mayor of Gotham City. The Clock King comes damned close to killing Batman and end up battling him on a giant clock face as the minute hand ticks down to potentially squash the kidnapped mayor.
14) Two-Face
The Animated Series wisely introduced District Attorney Harvey Dent in early episodes as Bruce Wayne's friend before an acid explosion turned Harvey into the villainous Two-Face. This very dark two-part episode is an early example of how the DC Animated Universe (DCAU) could be appreciated by kids, but was really tailored to an older audience. Harvey's transformation wasn't just because he was disfigured; he had already shown signs of possessing a separate personality consumed by rage and the accident just sent him over the edge. Looking back now, this episode is similar to the Two-Face storyline presented in the film The Dark Knight.
13) Bane
Forget that dumb brute Bane was portrayed as in the awful movie Batman & Robin. The Animated Series stayed closer to the comic books by making Bane a cunning, intelligent ex-con who was one of the strongest foes Batman ever faced, thanks to the steroids - Venom, I mean - that he shoots into his veins. The battle at the end of this episode was excellent. Robin goaded Candace, the conniving minx who was Bane's accomplice, to tussle and she was happy to oblige, almost handing the Boy Wonder an embarrassing defeat. And Bane replicated the scene from the comic books where he lifted Batman up and prepared to swing him down, breaking his back; but in this version, Batman at the last second stabs the Venom control switch with a Batarang, causing Bane to get so gruesomely pumped up that he almost explodes. See, this is why the DCAU Batman is even better than the comic book version!
12) Perchance to Dream
Bruce Wayne awakes to find himself in the life he would have lived if his parents never died. He's just a millionaire playboy; somebody else is Batman. Most importantly, Bruce got to live his whole life with his mother and father. Naturally, Bruce flips out, leads the police on a wild goose chase and decides to kill himself. Some people are just never happy. The episode has a twist ending that, while predictable, ends up involving a different Bat-villain that you might have expected. And Bruce's realization of why things aren't right is nicely done, too.
11) Beware the Gray Ghost
This episode is true bliss. Adam West, the beloved Batman from the 1960's series, voices Simon Trent, a washed-up actor who once played the Gray Ghost, a Sandman-like character who hugely inspired Bruce Wayne's creation of the Batman persona. When a crazed toy collector (a sad but true parody of those of us who obsessively collect action figures) begins recreating crimes from an episode of the presumed lost Gray Ghost series, Batman enlists the help of his childhood idol to solve the case. It's nice to see Bruce actually enjoying his work and pretty much using the case as an excuse to meet Simon Trent. He even kind of reveals his identity to Trent while Trent is promoting the release of the Gray Ghost episodes (of which he had copies stored in his closet). Trent seems pleasantly amazed that his former character has lived on in such a way, which mirrors how this episode is a big tribute to Adam West.
10) If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?
Like just about every other villain in this series, the Riddler debuted in much more menacing form than a lot of viewers were used to. A corporate executive makes a bad decision when he cans Edward Nygma, designer of the popular "Riddle of the Minotaur" video game, and denies him any of the profits. Nygma later resurfaces as the Riddler and begins threatening and stalking the executive, instilling in him a terror that will seemingly last to the end of his days. The thrilling ending has the Riddler trying to defeat Batman and Robin in a life-size amusement park "Riddle of the Minotaur" maze, complete with a flying hand, fire-breathing dragons and a giant minotaur robot. On a side note, it seems a lot of the villains in this series were forced down the wrong path by corrupt corporate bigwigs or other figures of power.
9) Legends of the Dark Knight
If you're a Batman comic book aficionado, this episode is your wet dream. A group of kids imagine what Batman is like in person and the two vastly different versions presented are taken wholesale from the printed page. One kid's vision of Batman & Robin looks just like colorful Dick Sprang artwork from the 1950s and includes Golden Age craziness such as the Dynamic Duo battling the Joker with giant musical instruments. The second tale is a retelling of the Batman vs. Mutant Leader storyline from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight, imagined by a kid who looks just like the female Robin in that story and plays the Mary-Sue role in her fantasy. As an added bonus, one of the kids (who is standing under a "Shoemaker" sign) acts a bit fey and muses about Batman having tight rubber armor, both a nod and a slight to reviled Batman & Robin director Joel Schumacher.
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97 comments
Comments
runnerx13 said:
How'd Roxy Rocket get in there?
Cool list, can't wait to I have the time to read the whole thing, but I would have included the Demon's Quest as #1 or #2.
gatchamandave said:
Great choices and I agree with the winner but...
Honourable mentions
Harley's Holiday - hilarious in the extreme, and with a touching ending that reminds us that sometimes, sometimes, there's a real Bruce Wayne under that ( smelling-slightly-of-puke ) costume.
The Man Who Killed Batman
" 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...
" and slap him in that box THERE...
" ...and roll him into that vat of acid THERE! "
and finally, anything in which David Warner voices Ra's is perfection.
Geoff said:
Not that I run a blog reviewing these in detail or anything (well, I do, and it's linked via my name, but that's all the plugging I'll do)... but...
... no Demon's Quest?
... no Showdown?
... no P.O.V.?
... no The Man Who Killed Batman?
... no Joker's Favour?
Heck, none of the great mob-centric episodes that really were where TAS came into its own (you at least got Grey Ghost on there, albeit 10 spots too low)?
Did you just base this on which episodes are still on YouTube in the aftermath of WB's recent purge or something?
Josh said:
"baby-doll" should be on the list man.
that was the best batman episode ever.
Katie said:
I have such a deep desire to watch this show now.
Netflix time!!!
delmoar said:
I second "Joker's Favor." First appearance of Harley,too (I think), which made it doubly fun. I also have a soft spot for "I've Got Batman In My Basement" :P
anotherjason said:
I think any of the Scarecrow centric epsodes could have made this list. Those always stuck with me the most.
Portion of Foxes said:
if you didnt know mr. freeze was drawn by the dude who does hellboy
that episode was so fucking awesome too
J.H. said:
I'm stunned "Batman In My Basement" didn't make the list myself. It really is a toss-up for me between "Almost Got'Im" and "Harley & Ivy" for my favorite episode. Harley was the best Batman villain to be created since the 50s!
James
Besley said:
"Nothing to Fear" is my personal favorite. The imagery is crazy when Bats is under the influence of the fear toxin and it has the best line of the series: "I am vengeance, I am the night, I am Batman!"
deadbug said:
I grew up with these. They were on right after tiny tunes and I recorded them all to VHS to watch again and again. I appreciate them much more now that I'm older.
aak7268 said:
Mike Mignola did Mr. Freeze?! Holy Art Boner, Batman! The Freeze origin ep was always one of my favorites and now I know why - Hellboy was what got me back into comics.
Chad said:
I really liked the Baby Doll episode. Talk about tough themes for a child audience. A grown woman who can't age and is stuck looking like a child Sherley Temple... That alone is pretty bad, but then she gets her tragic ending by seeing herself as an adult in a fun house full of mirrors. Ouch! It's like taking an olympic runner's legs, giving them back long enough for him to stand, and then his spine snaps, leaving him paralyzed from the waste down again.
Monkey boy said:
This list is missing some great episodes. And almost got im? I always hated that one. What about the episode where Bruce wakes up with amnesia in a slave camp? Or the demons head? Or sid the squid, where some no name small timer believes he killed batman and becomes a target for the joker because he denied him the chance to kill bats himself?if almost got im is your #1, hell you might as well have put jokers millions on the list.
operations said:
I was a bit younger when the Roxy Rocket episode was on, and haven't caught it lately in any of the reruns.
Now I have to track it down and watch it over. I wanna know if she really cums or if you're making that shit up.
rattrap007 said:
No Creeper? I love him! He even makes the Joker look sane..
"They call me Yellow Skinned Wacky Man! But you can just call me the Creeper.."
awesome-o 5000 said:
This is the best show ever. I remember my entire family used to watch it together on wednesday nights.
Demon quest 1 and 2 are definately missing though. As well as the Mount Olympus Episode.
My girlfriend really liked P.O.V.
But without a doubt almost Almost Got'em was the best of the best. When that episode would air it was almost like a holiday at my house.
Zidel333 said:
You Sir have made my day. Thank you for this manna.
Drunken Fist said:
Great list, although obviously, we're not gonna agree on all the choices. Some of my faves that aren't listed here:
-Appointment in Crime Alley
-Feat of Clay
-Showdown
-The Demon's Quest
-Baby Doll
-Second Chance
I used to watch this every weekday after school, and also on Saturdays when it was moved to that timeslot. Easily one of my all-time favorite TV shows, and I dearly miss it. They never made a truly bad episode, although a couple weren't very good("Critters," "I've Got Batman in My Basement").
Ball7 said:
I agree with your picks for number 1 and 3, but I can't understand why Mad Love is so high, the comic book was okay, but the episode felt so rushed and disoriented to me.
Michael said:
No "Day of the Samurai"? It's like a 22 minute movie. So much story packed into such a small amount of time, plus EVERYBODY who watched the episode remembers where the death spot is.
MattK said:
Why not just expand the list to the 109 Best Batman: The Animated Series episodes and just list the entire series run (before it evolved into Justice League).
Some more honorable mentions not referenced above:
-The Forgotten: Bruce suffers amnesia while undercover to find out who is kidnapping transients. Pretty powerful imagery when he tries to remember who he is that stuck with me without needing a famous Bat villain.
-Dreams in Darkness: Scarecrow episode, Batman suffering from a blast of Scarecrow gas and being incarcerated in Arkham Asylum. The hallucinations are real powerful stuff.
-Vendetta: debut of Killer Croc, and really confused me that in later episodes they portray Croc as a moron, but his plan in this episode is quite cunning, and he actually manages to pull off a convincing Bullock impersonation.
-On Leather Wings: The first episode, and what a beginning!
-Trial: The episode that finally addresses all critics (both in the animated world and outside) who accuse Batman of creating the villains that he stops, when in actuality, they would have been criminals regardless, and are in part responsible for creating Batman. LOVE the final exchange of dialogue between the district attorney (a vocal critic) and him: "I see now there's a need for what you do. But I'm still going to work towards a city that doesn't need Batman." "Me too."
As a bonus, make it 110 and include the Superman Animated series episode 'Knight Time', where Superman fills in for a mysteriously absent Dark Knight. Robin having to whisper Supes the actions necessary to act like Batman and the looks on the Bat-villains faces when he completely hands Bane his 'roided up ass is brilliant.
Paradox replied to MattK:
I just watched that Superman: TAS episode on YouTube. That was awesome. Stuff like that is why the DCAU is one of the best continuities out there.
demoncat said:
love the list . though would have had heart of ice in the top five and glad to see my favorite bat episode over the edge on the list and almost in the top five. though the gray ghost should have been higher then mad love. for even though it revealed How Harley became the way she is. there are other episodes on the list that could have been in its spot.
Geoff said:
Another great one that I'm surprised hasn't gotten mentioned is "It's Never Too Late." That's basically Batman starring in On the Waterfront. Brilliant episode, although I didn't like it much on first airing because, well, it wasn't very superhero-y. But it's a perfect character piece.
Something always bugged me about The Forgotten - I think it was the weird musical selection of that episode, which while appropriate was a bit... off. Alfred trying to land the Batwing is comic gold, however.
(And it's not "all 109 episodes", because then we'd have to talk about the crappy Red Claw eps.)
Rowdy said:
I agree with #1 but you have to add The Laughing Fish/Joker Fish to the list. No other comic/cartoon has defined just how whacked out the Joker is like that one.
deadlytoque said:
Good to see you didn't let any nepotism sneak in, Mr. Kevin J. .
Bill said:
"Over The Edge", "Heart Of Ice", and the Superman episode "Knight Time" are my favorite Batman episodes. I became a big fan of Mr. Freeze because of this show! They really turned an also-ran villain and turned him into something interesting...that probably never would have been done in the comics.
This was an all around well crafted show! Hell, I forgot the Robin episode won an emmy even.
CapnHulk said:
The thing is, almost every episode of BTAS was stellar. It'd probably be easier to pick out the small handful of not-as-great episodes.
Juice said:
I have volumes two and four of this series and need to get the other volumes as well. Maybe for Christmas.
Geoff said:
Note for anyone who doesn't have the show - WB recently put out a set collecting the entire thing, and they're doing the same for Superman and Beyond.
The Dread E said:
I completely agree with the list except for the exclusion of The Man Who Killed Batman. That's always been a personal favorite.
tasakeru828 said:
Heh, cool. "Almost Got 'Im" is my favorite episode, too.
Rob said:
Even as a 23-year-old, "Growing Pains" utterly traumatized me. So depressing.
danny boy said:
What? No Feat of Clay? the animation in that episode alone was better than fucking Roxy. Damn good list though. Thinks I'm gonna break out the old DVDs and give 'em a whirl.
Zersch said:
Nothing recent about the big box set.
Steve Harrison said:
Batman the Animated Series was pure gold, and I've always been a sad panda that Timm felt the art was too 'realistic' and took the later shows to a even more cartoony place. BTAS hit it just right, and it's a damn shame that Fox never saw what they had, a comic book show that could EASILY have run in prime time and been a ratings hit.
Altho maybe by being a kidvid show the producers avoided the Network Suits being able to tinker and screw and mess it up.
maachubo said:
When I started reading this list I was hoping to see 'Harley's Holiday' because that is my personal favorite episode. Until I saw your choice for #1. Bravo. Excellent choice for an excellent list about an excellent series. Cookies for everyone.
And while we could ask for a list of the 5 worst eps, the list would actually only be 3 episodes long, and those three would still be so much better than anything on TV in the last 5 years that it wouldn't be worth it.
Metal Soldier said:
I'm sad to see that "His Silicon Soul" wasn't listed. That was one of the most mind bending episodes I ever saw.
DoctorSmashy said:
Nice list. I used to love the Mr Freeze episode so much that when I saw Batman and Robin for the first time I felt tears in my eyes, then turned off the TV and stamped on the video's case until it snapped, crying 'ICE TO MEET YOU, MR VIDEO! ICE TO MEET YOOOOOUU!'
Bunta8447 said:
Great list! All classic episodes. There were so many episodes that were great, most of them already called out.
I really liked Legends of The Dark Night because it reminded me of a Batman comic I read years ago which had Bruce Wayne taking some kids on a camping trip and they talk about how they picture Batman and at the end Bruce jumps out in the Batman costume and the kids aren't impressed. The moral of the story being Batman scares the wicked not the innocent. I liked how the Animated Series put their own versions of Batman in there. Although I should point out that Batman: Gotham Knight is a bit closer to the comic but you can tell it got some flare from the Animated Series as well.
Mikieblade said:
Growing pains was always the one episode i will always remember. such a sad episode.
Wesley said:
Batman: TAS was the definitive Batman for me. Great stuff. I miss it.
TM2 Dinobot said:
I remember Growing Pains. Hands down one of the most defining experiences of my childhood, right up there with Code of Hero.
THE PR0F3550R said:
Awesome list. I always like the episode with that ninja guy who always made fun of Bruce calling him "rich man's son".
harmless_fun said:
This series is the reason I decided to get glasses as a kid. It was too nice to watch blurry.
Butts_McCracken said:
Great list, but you forgot the "Shadow of the Bat" two-parter. Batman: TAS handled Barbara Gordon/Batgirl better than the comics ever did, and her new origin story in TAS was a classic.
tvtastegood said:
This was hands down one of the greatest shows ever! I loved watching it. I would say that even the red claw eps (which are my least favorite) were better then most cartoons out there.
I have to say not having the forgotten on the list is a crime. The imagery in that episode sticks out for me especially the awkward musical number.
That and the first episode with the mad hatter was great stuff.
Zidel333 said:
@MattK -- Thanks for the recommendation re: Knight Time. I don't believe I've ever seen this episode, but I have seen all of B:TAS.
I think it might have to do with the fact that I hated Superman as a kid and didn't watch S:TAS with any regularity. It stems from the fact I would scream in horror whenever they showed a non-Batman episode on The New Batman/Superman Adventures. No lie, it would ruin my day.
The Admiral said:
I recently got all four volumes being sold together and believe me that was a happy day. Heart of Ice is my number one, with the Gray Ghost coming in a close second. The Baby Doll episode (mentioned by Chad) was really freaky, and her second appearance on the show (as Killer Croc's partner-in-crime) was even more off-putting. They were such a horribly mismatched couple and her insanity didn't help matters.
And Harley and Ivy are thisclose. Just sayin'.
drivingsideways said:
woah woah, wait, no one picked 'I Am The Night'? my personal favourite episode, it's just so good, and does so much to develop Bruce/Batman as a character.
Marjorie said:
Hey, where's "Girl's Night Out"?
Just kidding.
BTAS is an abundance of treasures. There are so many "best" episodes, only 15 hardly does the series justice, but this was a fine attempt.
Glad to see the inclusion of "Over the Edge". I still remember how tense I felt the first time I saw that one!
"The Joker's Favor" is the epitome of how the Joker's skewed mind works, to me.
I nominate "Old Wounds," which told the story of how Dick Grayson quit being Robin and Barbara Gordon took over as the main sidekick as one of the best of the best. Also, isn't that the one where Batman hits Bud and Lou the hyenas, and Joker says, "Hey, I don't hit your kids! Oh wait, I do!"
piratescandance said:
I love all of these choices! I would have included Episode 578- Showdown. God they're all great. Ra's Al Ghul was just a fantastic character.
Geoff said:
"and it's a damn shame that Fox never saw what they had, a comic book show that could EASILY have run in prime time and been a ratings hit."
Um, they did run it in prime time, and it wasn't a hit by any means.
Melody Kitn said:
Throw me in there for another "Baby Doll" favorite, that episode was awesome. And don't forget the one with the Mad Hatter being introduced.
Xenos said:
"It was a big rock."
Ha.
Though really, how to you narrow down the best episodes to just ten. There are so many gems that shine for various reasons. Still a damn fine list. I remember my eyes watering and almost trembling watching that damn scene from Over the Edge with Jim holding his dying daughter in his arms. Holy shit, Batman. That was shocking and well written.
Kevin said:
Goes to show you; there are MANY great episodes of Batman: The Animated Series and everyone has their favorites. This was a really difficult list to write for that reason.
Lily412 said:
This show is the reason why, although I typically prefer the Marvel Universe, Batman is my favorite superhero: not just because of Batman and Robin, but also because of the parade of awesome villains (plenty of girls, too! Harley, Ivy, Catwoman, what's not to love?). Incidentally, this show is also responsible for my love of the Scarecrow (with his portrayal in Batman Begins coming in next: the actor playing him was pretty saucy with a perfect psychotic twist).
The Scarecrow levels of Batman: Arkham Asylum have made me replay the game two or three times just to see them again.
Enigma_2099 said:
This is like plucking A+ episodes out of a sea of A grade episodes!
This series was just fucking WIN... PERIOD! I mean it put FOX on the map, for crying out loud! Who the hell cared about that channel before they aired this?!?!?
DoctorSmashy said:
Holy Crap, after watching that Roxy Rocket one I cannot believe the censors left that in.
She's a little hot to me now
KB_SBI said:
Pretty good list + it's nice to see someone else remember Roxy Rocket (To bad she didn't got more recognition out side the Show).
Only aview Episodes missing on the list. The saddest Ending has got to go to "Babydoll" or "Growing Pains" both are realy good and touching.
But why isnt "Beware the Creeper" not on the list? he had quotes for days and his obsession with "HQ" was hilarious. And you know your messed up when the Joker calls you a Lunatic in front of Batman.
yIntagh said:
Heart of Ice was the best episode of Batman the Animated series ever,you could hear the sadness in Michael Ansara's voice. Little known fact he was married to Barbara Eden,the dancing figure of Nora,bore a striking resemblance to her. :-B
Bruce the Spruce said:
The lack of P.O.V. is completely bush league.
mia said:
joker's favor?
DoctorSmashy said:
I also just watched Growing Pains, and my God.
A thing about me is that live action movies or TV shows don't usually make me feel any of the 'bad' emotions like sadness or fear (with the exeption of films like T:ROTF which make me feel angry), let alone a cartoon superhero show. Maybe it's because FFF has left me a hollow, emotionless shell of pure self-loathing and twisted humour. But damn. That was so excellently handled, and the fact that a simple concept like that episode's, played out in only 20-odd minutes, acted by cartoon characters could make me feel this depressed is amazing.
I think it's partly because of that girl, she looked like an anime or something with those big eyes and that Uma Thurman hairdo. So sweet.... GODDAMNWHYDOTHEGOODDIEYOUNG. Such a great episode.
*sob* I'll let myself out.
Themac339 said:
It almost makes me cry when I remember how good a Batman cartoon can be. Look at this list, and there are alot of episodes that weren't on the list that should be,and tell me that the Brave and the Bold is in anyway,shape,or form as good as TAS was. Waner Bros. should be ashamed of themselves for putting the BB on the air.
I really want to know what that meeting was like when B and B was greenlit.Did it go something like this? "We just had the second highest grossing movie of all time how do we capitalize on it? Do we make a new dark version of Batman? No,dark has been done let's go back to the campy style of the 1960's!" Well at least given Waner Bros.track record it will be off the air in a year. But given my luck the B and B will be on for ten years and we'll never get a Batman seris as good as TAS again.
SkyeBaron said:
Gonna have to vote for "Day of the Samurai" as being in the top 5. I mean, good god, it was a kung-fu epic with Bruce going back and exploring his former training in martial arts (which is a huge part of the character that is often neglected, I think). And come on, the touch of death. SO AWESOME.
BallsMonkey said:
I can't believe you forgot "House and Garden" "I am the Night" and "Christmas with the Joker". Those three were brilliant.
JimmyBoots said:
I really like
Night of the Ninja,
POV,
Nothing to fear, for the best line in the DCAU,
Critters is pretty fun with the commentary on the dvd.
Interositor said:
It bears repeating: this series is gold. A beautiful thing.
Kudos, TR.
Will said:
Yeah Night of the Ninja... with Kiodai, fantastic episodes where he goes into the explanation of ninja vs samurai. If you are samurai batman, then take off your mask. That was a great fight.
Ashton said:
Thanks for including Mad Love. It's my all-time favorite episode. I remember watching this series when I was a little kid, and now several years later I still enjoy it and can appreciate humor that I hadn't previously picked up on when I was younger.
klinteastwood said:
i also say that Baby Doll shouldve been there..episode is so disturbing
Chaw said:
Wouldn't it have been easier to name the few episodes that sucked as opposed to best? This is one of the greatest interpretations of Batman ever and had as much influence on what happened in the actual DCU as Miller did. Virtually every episode was gold. And as for the movies, let's face it, Mask of the Phantasm, although it was not as good as some of the episodes, was still better than Tim Burton's Batman.
And for the record, Baby Doll is the most disturbing cartoon ever made.
Chris said:
Roxy Rocket and Clock King??? Gotta go with Baby Doll and the Laughing Fish.
Monkeyboyprime said:
The one where the Ventriloquist gets out of Arkham. That one gets me every time. And two face should be higher on the list maybe number 2?
Steve Harrison said:
Geoff, when did Fox run BTAS in prime time, 8-10 PM (EST?)
I recall it was one of their cornerstones of their weekend KidVid block, then when they had enough episodes they 'stripped' it to the M-F afternoon kidvid block.
Cartoon Network or The WB doesn't count, that's syndication, not the first run.
Do I recall incorrectly?
Aaron said:
I still get choked up about Mr. Freeze in Heart of Ice.
Scortia said:
It's hard to choose a top 15 when you go with both animated series. A favorite of mine,... in the same vein as your #1... is the episode when the villains put Batman on trial. Hilarious stuff there.
Kal-El Summers said:
I still remember being 12 years old and crying at the end of Heart of Ice. I really need to buy this series on DVD(along with Supes: TAS and Beyond).
evilmike said:
Since this is about all of the incarnations of Batman:TAS, there's another episode that deserves an honorable mention even though it's further removed from the original than any other -- the JLU episode "Epilogue". It touches on virtually all aspects of Batman's world and shows us more of his legacy than has been seen anywhere else. It even ends with a scene that provides a coda to the first scene, the aerial patrol in "On Leather Wings".
clark said:
This is probably my favorite series, I would have had the introductory Scarface episode in my list, not only because of the gruesome death of the dummy, but it is a great example of the full orchestra at the show's disposal by giving the episode a snazzy jazz soundtrack.
HeroPower said:
I seriously hated it when the show became "The New Batman Adventures" or whatever. The art style and inclusion of different Bat-characters just killed it for me.
I also hated the concept of a young child fighting crime in anything that even pretends to be halfway serious. Let alone one that is drawn with triangular joints and eyes the size of lemons.
But the version of the show that aired on Fox was fantastic. I always loved the peculiar episodes with a non-linear sense of storytelling, or plots that weren't shown from Batman's perspective at all. Really amazing for American kids animated television.
Nick said:
BTAS ran in a Sunday 7 or 7 30 pm EST timeslot for about three months. It wasn't a blockbuster, but it frequently outranked most of the comedies they had on Sunday nights at the time (with the exception of Simpsons, I'm guessing). That was near the end of the first season I believe. I remember TV Guide making a pretty big deal about it for a couple weeks.
Kal-El Summers said:
I was 12 when "Heart of Ice" first aired and I cried like a little girl at the end when they showed Freeze in his hell looking at the snow globe. That was an awesome freakin' episode. Also, Croc's story from "Almost Got 'Im" earned me a spanking because I was laughing loud enough to wake my baby brother. Good times, good times.
dopefaerie said:
Truly the best Batman's ever been, fabulous list!
jaganar said:
TR , thank god you actually listedd the episodes that focused on decent storytelling .
because after the kidfriendly BnR sets it kind of cooled down from decency.
then when the Mr.Freeze origin played on Disney they took out the only time we see batman actually caught off guard.
after freeze's origin is revealed he gasps "MY GOD" and knowing disney they had to cut that scene out EVERY EFFIN time .
almost got im was epic :)
but you also have to remember some of the most popular villans have become so due to said fact ...when some "hero" stops them from getting actual justice.
Freeze,Riddler, Clocky ,ole' two face, frank castle.
(in some cases , the hero afterwards watches said criminal who actually started it all walk away with a slap on the wrist because of him having an upperhand in the system.)
GAJoe said:
A great list, but I'd replace Roxy Rocket's episode with the two part "Heart of Steel" or "His Silicon Soul."
"Starman" Matt Morrison said:
I think this may be the best list you've ever done. Sure, there's a few episodes I would have included over episodes on the list, but I think it's a testament to how good the show was that most of us can make reasoned cases as to how "THIS episode was great" without sounding like whiny fanboys.
That being said, Feet of Clay really should have been on the list instead of Growing Pains. Ron Perlman's performance as Matt Hagen was never so good as in that first episode, where Perlman had the pathos of being an actor trapped in a monster's body (shades of his career after Beauty and the Beast?) to play against.
Matt Jones said:
I loved every episode in your list and pretty much every one that people have mentioned in the comments. I desperately need some disposible income so I can buy the box set.
I don't think it's been mentioned, but I always liked the one where Batman saves a bunch of lost kids in the sewers from that guy who looked like a deranged Dave Seville from Alvin and the Chipmunks. Episode wasn't amazing, but I liked coming up with what tragic circumstances could have led Dave down such a path. Was he always insane, imagining chipmunks were talking to him?
MisterS said:
Great choices! Here's some I would have included...
Joker's Wild - The Joker at his best
Read My Lips - The introduction of The Ventriloquist (Wesker) and Scarface. One of the great original Batman villains in recent years.
His Silicon Soul - Hardac, a great recurring 'villain'
The Man Who Killed Batman - A clever tale of the pathetic life of Batman's would be killer...
Freak Studio said:
Sure, You could add some Scarface episodes or "Beware the Creeper", but the comments on this great list are the proof that everybody has their own peronal favorite episodes of Batman TAS, and that there are solid arguments for each episode to be the best.
This is because the entire run of this series was awesome.
Bruce the Spruce said:
Wasn't The Forgotten nominated for an Emmy. Again, see previous statement of bush leagueness of list.
Nick Danger said:
Come to think of it, I think the clay face episode growing pains started me on tentacle on schoolgirl based anime...
Priest said:
One of my favorites was a Clayface episode where Roland Daggett holds a press conference regarding Daggett industries [where Clayface had his unfortunate accident]. A female reporter gets up and asks Daggett some harsh questions about accidents, sanitation and issues at the factories as she walks towards the podium. Her final question ['Why don't you tell them - about ME?!'] while transforming and revealing herself to be Clayface was a powerful moment, and a great swerve.
Lady Angora said:
I am pleased with this list.
Evil Monkey Pope said:
I veto any best list that omits Harley Quinn's torch song about spousal abuse from Harlequinade:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp6wLXj4-5A
