For all intents and purposes, the acclaimed DC Animated universe came to an end last weekend with the final episode of Justice League Unlimited. The final scene of JLU ended with Batman running into the screen...bringing everything full-circle. So it's appropriate to go back to the show that started it all for DC Animated-- 1992's "Batman: the Animated Series".
I've mentioned this before, but I was scarred by this series when it first came out. My doofus roomate would ALWAYS watch it and it took me a LONG time (years) to warm up to it. Until I received this set, I had never seen alot of these episodes. I couldn't think of Batman without thinking of my jackass roommate. I REALLY hated that goon. Turns out, I was missing quite a bit.
Each collection is a four-disc set, released in four separate volumes. They're not called "seasons", because the production quantity trailed off after Season 1. It's not until Volume THREE that we finally get into the Season 2 stuff. To be more precise, Season 1 had about 62 episodes, Season 2 had about 12, Season 3 had about 6 and Season 4 had 20. Thus, it's easier and more marketable to split the whole series up into "Volumes".
There's been some controversy about the ordering of the episodes. Some people remember the official air dates and claim that the order is mixed up. Supposedly, the episode order on the DVDs are the official production order and, aside from one notable exception, it works well.
Volume One, Disc 1 contains the following episodes, in order:
"On Leather Wings"
First in continuity and airing, this actually premiered on a Friday night primetime slot on FOX in 1992. Really dark and moody and feels like a mini-movie. The music score is great and Batman's movements are perfectly synched with it. It plays as an introduction to Batman's world, as we get good shots of the police blimps and a lengthy Batmobile introduction. There's also a scene that is reminiscent of the warehouse scene from "Batman: Year One"--one that was also recreated in "Batman Begins" last year. This episode introduces Kirk Langstrom, the Man-Bat. An interesting choice for the premiere episode, but it works well. Harvey Bullock is also introduced.
"Christmas With the Joker"
The only episode that's out of order. I believe FOX held this back for an Xmas 1992 airing, but it doesn't work in this order. Summer Gleeson the TV reporter appears, but we don't know who her character is... a giveaway that this episode is out-of-place. Also, Robin is around, when he didn't pop-up until late into the first season. Terrible story and action, as Joker just runs around doing insane stuff and he seems to have too much robotic and technical know-how.
"Nothing to Fear"
Excellent introduction to the Scarecrow. Simple plot resolving Scarecrow's revenge on his old teaching institution. Summer is officially introduced in this episode. Batman over-acts a bit with his famous "I am vengeance...I am the NIGHT" line. See, to me, Batman's never been about VENGEANCE...he's about justice or prevention of crime. Despite all his grim n' gritty-ness, Batman's an optimist. He's not about getting even...that's the Punisher's gig. But it was the early 90's, when "bad-ass" heroes were the rage.
"The Last Laugh"
Unofficially, this is the first episode with the Joker. At the time, it was somewhat innovative that the creators didn't try to make Joker sound like Jack Nicholson. Mark Hamill begins his excellent portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime-- a highlight of the DC Animated world. Straight-up plot involving a garbage barge and the Joker's laughing gas. Joker has a strange robotic bodyguard, though.
"Pretty Poison"
Another well done introduction to a villain. In this case, it's the debut of Poison Ivy, who's snared Gotham DA Harvey Dent with her charms. Batman has to save his friend, but not before a sci-fi scene similar to "Little Shop of Horrors".
"The Underdwellers"
A "cartoon-only" villain, the Sewer-King appears. He keeps kids underground in his own little world. Seems more suited to a Ninja Turtles story and it's just...weird. One funny part, the Sewer King locks misbehaving kids in a room with flourescent light!! That IS evil! Sewer King was never seen again, so it's safe to belief that he was locked up forever.
"P.O.V.".
A somewhat weak cop caper that focusses on Harvey Bullock and Renee Montoya. Batman and Montoya team up at a shipyard to catch some crooks. Kinda' lame...but at least they were trying to flesh out the suporting characters.
Disc 2:
"The Forgotten"
More of a cartoon plot. Bruce Wayne has amnesia and ends up in a chain-gang mining camp. You really have to suspend your bisbelief, because it appears he also timewarps back to the days of Cool Hand Luke.
"Be a Clown"
A serious cartoon always takes a step down when a kid is involved. This isn't too bad...Joker crashes the birthday party of the Mayor's son, disguised as Jekko the clown. The Mayor's son is impressed and stows away with Joker. In air dates, I believe this was the first Joker episode to be shown. A good sequence where we only see parts of the Joker, then panning up to the big overall reveal, lends validity to this.
"Two-Face (Part 1 &2)"
A great, tragic, psychiatric thriller--especially the first part. Harvey Dent sure didn't waste time getting over Poison Ivy, as he's already engaged to another woman. Dent's transition into Two-Face is altered a bit from his comic roots-- instead of a court room attack, he wanders into a chemical exposion in a warehouse. Gangster Rupert Thorne makes his first signifcant appearance, as well.
"It's Never Too Late"
More with Thorne and a rival gangster named Stromwell. Batman's almost a background character in this crime novel story. Pretty good, but not if you're expecting superhero action.
"I've Got Batman in My Basement"
Worst. Episode. Ever. Really..it is. While the other episodes all had a darker, adult theme that didn't insult your intelligence, this one does. KIDS again take the spotlight and it's awful. It's more like a Speed Buggy episode, as two kids drive the Batmobile around town. We're talking Anakin Skywalker in Phantom Menace type of bad. Batman is knocked out with ONE shot from Penguin's umbrella and has to hole up in the kids' basement for a few days. The Penguin comes to visit and it's a Triple A version of "Home Alone'. Yuk, yuk..those whacky and resourceful scamps rig up all kinds of kooky traps (and hilarity) for the villains! The KIDS are loosely based on Encyclopedia Brown, and you've got to wonder why this story was included. Maybe they weren't sure that the "adult" feel wouldn't work and wanted to test out some Saturday Morning Goofiness. Really pisses over what the series had established.
"Heart of Ice"
Then, one of the best episodes. The plot isn't anything too innovative, but this story stands out in Batman mythos because it really breathed life into Mr. Freeze for the first time in his history. Freeze is made into a tragic, sympathetic villain.. and within five years, this was worked into the comics. A big accomplishmet for a cartoon. The sound effects and voice acting is also great-- the sound of Freeze's ice gun is terrifying and his cold methodical voice is a splendid touch. Very cool scene where Batman swoops out of the darkness onto Freeze's goons.
The groundwork is laid and the continuity slowly begins to build. For instance, Kirk Langstrom's work was cited in last year's Justice League Unlimited "Cadmus" arc. The series was sort of feeling itself out and doesn't really begin to gain momentum until late in Volume 2, when Ra's al Ghul is slowly introduced.
The discs' extras are interesting. Disc 1 contains the original test-case of the opening sequence, along with commentary from Bruce Timm and friends. "On Leather Wings" has a commentary track, but the creators are more interested in talking about their production process than plot or characters. Disc 2 contains an excpetional 15 minute documentary on the show's creation and impact. Comic creators Mark Waid and (sigh) Geoff Johns chime in with their thoughts.
Hope to have Disc 3 & 4 reviewed in a few weeks. Recommended DVD package so far.
I love Batman TAS. I think it was the perfect presentation of Batman. Have you seen Mask of the Phantasm? Probably the best Batman movie ever put out there.
Yeah, I got "Mask of the Phantasm" on video back in the day. Great movie.
Almost done with Disc 3 now... there's some stinkers on there, like the Nostradamus villain. The Catwoman 2-parter was a bit of a disappointment, as well.
I've also noticed that Batman is fairly vulnerable in the early episodes. He has trouble taking out thugs and gets knocked down and thrown around alot.
Also picked up Volumes 2 & 3, along with Superman TAS, Volumes 1 & 2. Of course, Justice League Vol. 1, too. I went ahead and figured I'd better get 'em while they're relatively cheap and available. I put off picking up the GI Joe DVDs and now they're out of production and fetching about 50 bucks each.