THE BAT BLOG #1: TFG1Mike’s Top 20 Favorite BTAS Episodes

THE BAT BLOG!

TFG1Mike’s Top 20 Favorite Batman: The Animated Series Episodes

Before I get this started I have to say that Batman: The Animated Series is awesome. It was in 1992, and 20 years later in 2012 it still is. Kevin Conroy is THE ANIMATED BATMAN VOICE!!! Just as Mark Hamill is THE ANIMATED JOKER VOICE!!!!!

Some criteria I went by in making this list.

• I chose my favorite episodes from the entire run of the series. This includes the crossover episodes with The New Batman and Superman Adventures
• 2 Part Episodes I consider to be 1 Story so they’ll be listed together.
• The Direct to Video Films are not included, they will be their own list.
• This list is made up of my personal favorite episodes, I’m in no way saying my choices are better than anyone elses.

First a few honorable mentions, the following just missed making the list:

P.O.V.

The Forgotten

The Demon’s Quest

Shadow of the Bat Parts I and II

Batgirl Returns

Mad Love

I had such a hard time coming up with this list, I’m sure that if reworked slightly Mad Love could make it in there. I do love that episode, but there just wasn’t enough room. The forgotten I love for Alfred’s comedic parts with the Batwing, and for the musical cues in the desert. P.O.V. is just an interesting way to layout an episode. The Demon’s Quest is great, and I do love it, but I do not find myself watching it as much as the other episodes on the list. As far as the 2 parter in Shadow of the Bat, I love those in the sense that they are Batgirl’s origin story. Finally Batgirl Returns, again I love it, but my Batgirl is Tara Strong, which she doesn’t come in until later…. So onto the countdown!

20. Blind As A Bat

Brief Overview: The Penguin steals an experimental helicopter from an air show, causing an explosion that temporarily blinds Bruce Wayne. Batman knows he won’t be able to wait until his vision returns to track the Penguin down, but will he be able to do so without the use of his eyes?

Cast:

Written By: Mike Underwood and Len Wein

Directed By: Dan Riba

Thoughts: I like this episode because it shows Bruce as Batman out of his element. The fact that he has to rely on all the other senses, besides sight is just a great concept. Yes it is a Penhuin ep, and nothing really major happens with the Penguin plot, but still a great episode for Batman character development.

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  I thought I’d start off the countdown with an episode I like going back to, but not as often as other ones.

19. Trial

Brief Overview:  Gotham’s new DA Janet Van Dorn is out to capture Batman, but both she and him end up captured by a gang of criminals instead. They are soon put on a kangaroo trial by the Joker (the judge), Two-Face (the prosecutor), the Ventriloquist (the bailiff), Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, the Mad Hatter, Killer Croc, the Scarecrow, the Riddler and other criminals. If the defense (Batman and the D.A.) can prove that Batman is not the cause for everyone’s turn to crime, they will be set free. When the jury gives the verdict of ‘not guilty’, the villains have little intention of following through on their deal.

Cast:

Teleplay By: Paul Dini

Story By: Paul Dini and Bruce Timm

Directed By: Dan Riba

Thoughts:  I really enjoy this episode for the comedy of it all. It really focusses on the relationship between Batman, the City, and his rogues gallery. It explores the fact that Gotham does need a Batman, yet there’s always hope the city will no longer need him.

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked: This is a fun comedy ep all around, but there are others that deserve the higher rankings.

18. What Is Reality?

Brief Overview:  Seeking to prove once and for all that his is the superior mind, the Riddler lures Batman into a riddle-solving contest inside the virtual reality of a computer game in order to save Jim Gordon’s life. In the course of solving the riddles and escaping the Riddler’s traps, Batman learns that he is able to manipulate the virtual reality landscape much like the Riddler does.

Cast:

Written By: Marty Isenberg and Robert N. Skir

Directed By: Dick Seabast

Thoughts: I mainly enjoy this episode for Robin’s character getting a bit of development, when he’s actually better then Batman at something. Plus it really reaches out to kids that anyone could be a superhero.

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  This one falls in at 18, because I have rewatched it more then the first two episodes that kicked off the countdown.

17. Girl’s Night Out

Brief Overview:  Livewire escapes during a prison transfer and runs amok in Gotham, joining forces with Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. With the Dark Knight away, Batgirl teams up with Supergirl to face the deadly trio.

Cast:

Written By: Hillary J. Bader

Directed By:  Curt Geda

Thoughts: This is a fun non Batman centric episode. It focuses on Batgirl and Supergirl teaming up, and kicking butt. This is just a fun overall episode.

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked: Falling in at 17 here on this favorites countdown, because I can pop this in when I want Superheroine Sidekick action!!!

16. The Demon Within

Brief Overview: Batman and Robin assist occultist Jason Blood when Klarion the Witch-boy takes control of Blood’s alter-ego, Etrigan the Demon.

Cast:

Written By: Stan Berkowitz

Directed By: Atsuko Tanaka

Thoughts: Even BTAS has Arthurian stories! That is the one reason why I love this episode! Plus it’s not about Arthur himself, but someone else that was in the time. Oh and this quote is awesome!: ” Gone. Gone the form of man, rise the demon Etrigan!” I think Michael T. Weiss said it better in Justice League though.

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  This comes in at 16, because of all the great interactions between Batman, Robin, and Etrigan.

15. Eternal Youth

Brief Overview:  Several rich industrialists are invited to the Eternal Youth Health Spa, and that’s where they are last seen before disappearing. The only connection: they had something to do with the death of plants. Bruce Wayne also receives an invitation (although it was one of his greedy directors who nearly made the deal to destroy a rainforest before Bruce forced him to shut the operation down), but Alfred and his “lady friend” Maggie, go in his place. When they do not return, Batman is forced to investigate, discovering that the spa is run by Poison Ivy, and that she has been using a formula to turn the industrialists into humanoid trees, including Alfred and Maggie.

Cast:

 Written By: Beth Bornstein

Directed By: Kevin Alteri

Thoughts: It isn’t many episodes that Alfred is pretty much front and center. That’s why i like this episode. The chemistry between Alfred and Maggie is magical, and comical.

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked: Coming in at 15 on my list, this episode is one I’ll go to for a laugh when needed. However it remains to be just another Poison Ivy scheme.

14. Jokers Millions

Brief Overview:  Crime boss Edward “The King” Barlow dies and in his will leaves his arch-rival, the Joker, a large fortune. The Joker immediately goes on a shopping spree, even searching for a replacement for Harley Quinn, but realizes too late that almost all of the money is fake. The Joker getting money that’s counterfeit was previously used in The Adventures of Batman episode “Long John Joker.”

Cast:

Written By: Paul Dini

Directed By:  Dan Riba

Thoughts: Someone besides Batman actually got over on The Joker! I love this episode for the sheer fact that Joker never checks to see if the rest of the money is real or not. I also love the Harley replacement, an overall fun episode!

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  Coming in at 14, this is one that makes me laugh at the total irony of Joker’s situation.

13. Heart Of Steel Parts I and II

Brief Overview:  

Part I: Several robberies take place at major companies, including Wayne Enterprises, and Bruce Wayne, as Batman, discovers the thief to be a mechanical briefcase. Bruce meets with his old friend, Karl Rossum, an expert in robotics who lost his daughter to a vehicle accident years ago. He also meets Rossum’s assistant, Randa Duane, and Rossum’s ultimate creation: a prototype A.I. known as Holographic Analytical Reciprocating Digital Computer (H.A.R.D.A.C.) Bruce invites Duane to dinner, and around the same time, certain civilians start acting strangely. Most surprising is when Duane unexpectedly leaves Wayne Manor while Bruce is on the phone, and the entire Batcave turns on Batman.

Part II: Batman manages to free himself from the Batcave’s clutches, and brings it back under his control, although he fails to track Duane down. Barbara Gordon approaches Batman to inform him of her father’s sudden change in behavior. A brutal fight between Batman and Detective Bullock ensues, during which Batman pushes Bullock onto the Bat Signal, and reveals him to actually be an android, meaning that the real Bullock and James Gordon have gone missing, and Batman knows who the culprit is: H.A.R.D.A.C. Can he stop the evil supercomputer before it’s too late?

Cast:

Written By: Brynne Stephens

Directed By:  Kevin Alteri

Thoughts: The Heart of Steel 2 parter was a nice change from the rogues gallery stories, and just random episodes that were overall meh. If only Ranada wasn’t a robot mmmm she’s hot!!!

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked: Placed at 13, because it tells a really good story, and doesn’t just act as a one off mini movie.

12. Growing Pains

Brief Overview:  Robin fights to protect a young girl with amnesia named Annie who is being stalked by her “father”, who turns out to be Clayface. Having created the girl from his own body to scout out the city, he now intends to reabsorb her.

Cast:

Written By: Robert Goodman and Paul Dini

Story By: Paul Dini

Directed By: Atsuko Tanaka

Thoughts: Really enjoy this episode for the story and character development given to Tim Drake as Robin. Plus I NEVER saw the twist coming!!!

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked: Putting this at 12 seems fitting, as it is a deep story.

11. Holiday Knights

Brief Overview:  

Three holiday-themed vignettes:

(1) Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn kidnap Bruce Wayne and use his credit cards for a shopping spree.

(2) While shopping for a gift for her father, Barbara Gordon spots a group of shoplifters that turn out to be portions of Clayface.

(3) Batman and Robin race to stop the Joker from killing the crowd at the Gotham City New Year Celebration.

Cast:

Written By: Paul Dini

Directed By: Dan Riba

Thoughts: I love the whole leading up to Christmas and New Years feel this episode gives. It has Harley and Ivy who make such a great girl team up, and The Joker is his usual psychotic self. Plus I love the ending with Batman and Gordon, that is priceless!!!

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  Putting this at number 11 was a little hard, because as this countdon goes on, there are so many episodes to get in under 20 choices!

10. Knight Time

Brief Overview:  Superman learns that the Dark Knight has been missing from Gotham for some time now. Superman finds Robin, who has been battling all the crime in Batman’s absence, such as Batman rogues Bane, The Mad Hatter, and The Riddler. Disguised as Batman, Superman helps Robin investigate why his partner has disappeared, leading up to a final confrontation with Brainiac

Cast:

Written By: Robert Goodman

Directed By: Curt Geda

Thoughts: The one reason why I love this crossover episode, is that it puts Superman out of his element. That and the fact that Robin has to teach him to be Batman! Plus Superman’s voice changing I thought that was the best part!!!!

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked: It’s a fun episode, and having it break into the top 10 seems fitting.

09. Robin’s Reckoning Parts I and II

Brief Overview:  

Part I: During a fight with some gangsters at a construction yard, Batman and Robin learn the name of their boss: Billy Marin. While Robin looks forward to going up against Marin, Batman becomes distant, and after a falling out at the Batcave, Batman doesn’t allow Robin to accompany him on the search for Marin. Robin investigates on the Batcomputer, and soon realises that Billy Marin is not the boss’ real name. Rather, it is an alias of Tony Zucco, the man who killed his parents. Can Robin save his partner in time?

Part II: Robin sets out to find Tony Zucco instead of saving Batman, all the while plagued by the memories of his parents’ death and how Bruce took him in as his own son. Eventually, Batman manages to find Zucco at an old amusement park, but breaks his leg during the fight. Robin arrives, and prepares to kill Zucco in revenge. He initially scoffs Batman’s advice, but realizes that justice and revenge are not the same. Zucco is arrested, and Batman makes amends with Robin, stating that he wouldn’t let Robin accompany him under the fear of Zucco killing him.

Cast:

Written By: Randy Rogel

Directed By: Dick Seabast

Thoughts: I love seeing the animated version of Robin’s origin story. Loren Lester’s emotional performance was just amazing in this!!!!

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  Number 9 seems fitting, as it is the origin story of Robin, and we have so many more epic stories to go.

08. Two Face Parts I and II

Brief Overview:

Part I: Mobster Rupert Thorne attempts to use Harvey Dent’s secret split personality to blackmail him. But when Dent meets with Thorne at a chemical plant, “Big Bad Harv” takes over, and the resulting confrontation leads to an explosion that horribly scars half of Dent’s face.

Part II: Harvey Dent, now calling himself Two-Face, resurfaces and starts robbing Rupert Thorne’s illegal businesses, preparing for a final confrontation with the crime boss, and Batman must stop his former friend before he and Thorne kill each other.

Cast:

Teleplay By: Randy Rogel

Written By: Alan Burnett (Part I)

Directed By: Kevin Alteri

Thoughts: Again another origin story, I love them for the most part. What I love about this 2 parter is the fact that Bull from Night Court is Two Face!!!! just the sheer emotional aspect to this episode is amazing.

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked: I tried making this a 2 joke entry, but it just wouldn’t work.

07. The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy

Brief Overview:  Baron Jozek, furious at Batman for humiliating him at a dinner party (over Jozek’s underworld connections), hires Josiah Wormwood, a master in setting traps for his victims, to hunt down Batman and bring back the hero’s cape and cowl.

Cast:

Written By: Elliot S. Maggin

Directed By: Frank Paur

Thoughts: I throughly enjoy this one, even though I know it’s not a main rogues gallery villain episode. Again as I stated in a previous entry, just the twists is what gets me.

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked: Coming in at number 7 seems fitting for one of my favorite twist and turn episodes. Plus it’s a buffer for all the awesomeness that is coming next.

06. Beware The Gray Ghost

Brief Overview:  Simon Trent, an actor best known for his past role as “The Gray Ghost”, is on the verge of bankruptcy thanks to his declining career. To save himself, he sells off all of his Gray Ghost merchandise. Immediately afterwards, a series of crimes related to the old show begin to occur. Batman, having himself been inspired partly by the show to become the crimefighter he now is, goes to Trent for help, and they team up to put an end to the crimes.

The Gray Ghost is voiced by none other than Adam West, the star of the 1960s television show Batman.

Cast:

Teleplay By: Garin Wolf and Tom Reugger

Story By: Dennis O’Flaherty and Tom Ruegger

Directed By: Boyd Kirkland

Thoughts: Kevin Conroy and Adam West in the same cartoon universe?? YES PLEASE!!! If not for that alone, this episode would be just as awesome. However what really makes this episode is the fact that it comes from Bruce’s heart, and he relives his childhood here.

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked: Beware the number 6… I dunno!!!!!

05. Perchance to Dream

Brief Overview:  Bruce Wayne wakes up one morning to find that his life is completely upside-down: his parents are alive, the Batcave does not exist, Alfred does not remember Robin, and he is engaged to Selina Kyle. However, it doesn’t mean that Batman isn’t still around, and Bruce starts to wonder what has happened, especially after seeing the characteristics of a dream (such as book and newspaper prints not making sense) inside this new life.

Cast:

Teleplay By: Joe R. Lansdale

Story By: Laren Bright and Michael Reaves

Directed By: Boyd Kirkland

Thoughts: Again I gotta go with an episode that brings us closer to Bruce Wayne! If only this weren’t a dream, right?

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked: The number 5 slot could have been anything, it could have been Mad Love, The Strange Secret Of Bruce Wayne, or His Silicon Soul. I just felt that Perchance to Dream needed to be here.

04. Heart Of Ice

Brief Overview:  Bitter scientist Victor Fries, as Mr. Freeze, attacks several divisions of Gothcorp, each time stealing a piece for a secret weapon he intends to build. Batman investigates the connections, and discovers that the start of Freeze’s vendetta against Gothcorp was a bitter falling out between Fries and Gothcorp’s CEO, Ferris Boyle, during which Boyle almost killed Fries (mutating him into Freeze) and presumably killed Fries’ terminally ill wife, Nora. Batman must find a way to bring Boyle to justice before Freeze carries out his revenge.

Cast:

Written By: Paul Dini

Directed By: Bruce W. Timm

Thoughts: Paul Dini and Bruce Timm turned the common thief character of Victor Fries aka Mr. Freeze into a sympathetic character!! One of the most touching cartoon episodes ever!!!

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  Cmon people you expect me to give you reasons???

03. Almost Got ‘Im

Brief Overview:  Joker, Killer Croc, Penguin, Two-Face, and Poison Ivy all meet at a poker table, each telling a tale of times when they almost defeated Batman. At the same time, Harley Quinn is about to kill Catwoman. Will Batman be able to save her?

Cast:

Written By: Paul Dini

Directed By: Eric Radomski

Thoughts: BEST COMEDY EPISODE OUT OF ALL BTAS EPISODES!!!!!!!! Nuff said, plus I threw a rock at ‘im! OK in all seriousness this is an episode I can watch any time. It’s just that freakin awesome!!!!

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked: REALLY YOU EXPECT ME TO CHOSE?

02. Old Wounds

Brief Overview:  When on patrol on his own, Robin runs into Nightwing and he tells Robin the story of how he and Batman grew apart. The story reveals how Batgirl discovered Batman and the original Robin’s true identities, and also explains some of what went wrong with Barbara and Dick’s relationship.

Cast:

Written By: Rich Fogel

Directed By: Curt Geda

Thoughts: The way this one plays out is just amazing. I love hearing the story of how Dick Grayson/Robin left to establish himself in another city. Plus all the comedy bits and one liners between Dick and Tim, and of course the Joker, and Batgirl, make this one of the best episodes of the series for me.

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked: I could have easily flipped this and number 1, but I decided not to.

01. Over The Edge

Brief Overview: During a fight with the Scarecrow, Batgirl is ambushed on a rooftop and falls to her death. Having watched his daughter’s demise, Jim Gordon blames Batman for her fate and vows revenge, even recruiting Bane in the process.

Cast:

Written By: Paul Dini

Directed By: Yuichiro Yano

Thoughts: This episode depicts the worst possible outcome for Batman! This is one episode where I do in fact tear up. Just the sheer magnitude of the story, and everything that happens is amazing. This is definitely a must watch!!!

Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked: For me putting this at number one was easy, and difficult all at the same time. I mean it is one of the best written stories in all of DCAU lore, and yet I’m sure another person might not rank it at number 1. In all honesty Over the Edge and Old Wounds are tied for number one in my book. I love both episodes equally.

Bruce Has Sutorettes! (Mallrats Joke)

Final Thoughts: Well there ya have it folks, there’s my Top 20 Favorite BTAS episodes! Overall I do enjoy most episodes of BTAS, but there are a few bad apples in there as well. Be sure to check out my Top 20 Favorite Batman Beyond Episodes.

The Many Costumes of Batman in the DCAU: