Almost Got Him is a great episode, might have to watch that one again soon. The Two-Face two parter sounds good about now too. (Still can't believe that was Richard Moll doing that voice.)I just watched that episode, and I was literally shocked at the way that episode misleads
In an interview, Dini (episode writer) stated that it was fortunate that Sorkin (voice of Harley Quinn) was able to complete the [kazoo] song in one take, as immediately after that, she and the remainder of the voice cast also broke into uncontrollable laughter, and "we'd have never gotten a second take of it."
One of the more random episode I liked was "The Man Who killed Batman", interesting for having almost no presence of Batman in it. And it was funny.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld0uIhst3TA
Found this tidbit on wikiQuoteIn an interview, Dini (episode writer) stated that it was fortunate that Sorkin (voice of Harley Quinn) was able to complete the [kazoo] song in one take, as immediately after that, she and the remainder of the voice cast also broke into uncontrollable laughter, and "we'd have never gotten a second take of it."
(http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/6130/vlcsnap2011081710h47m40.png)
"Hey, who's talking about Batman? I love Batman. All those muscles. The tight rubber armor and the flashy car. I heard it can drive up walls!"
There were a lot of Star Trek veterans as guest voices in that show.
Theres probably more, but I got tired of searching through episodes.
Kate Mulgrew EP 1
Rene Auberjonois EP 2
Michael Ansara EP 3
Brock Peters EP 4/5
Ron Pearlman EP 4/5
Ed Begley Jr. EP 4/5
Paul Dooley EP 6
Diana Muldaur EP 12
It really was amazing. Bit meh after Season 3, but it really is one of the most smartly written animated shows I have ever seen.
I actually prefer the style of the later seasons, especially when Bats' costume goes drab instead of primary colors.
It was still one of my favorite shows after the change, just prefer the way it was before. I kind of understand why they did the changes, they wanted to be able to present Batman and Superman in a block and even do a their "Worlds Finest" crossover movie/three parter episodes, and if they put Batman as designed next to Superman as designed it would have been grating to look at. They needed a cohesive style. Just a matter of personal taste.
At this point, talking about the show again, I'm tempted to steal anais's idea from her Star Trek thread and just watch the show from beginning to end, revisiting each episode and posting a review here. True, she's watching shows for the first time, so it won't have the same kind of impact, but could still be fun. I can keep it in this thread to keep the discussions going, and anyone else can join in with their own reviews. Whats everyone else think?
Dr. March was named after Fredric March, the actor who portrayed Dr. Henry Jekyll in the 1931 version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (on which this episode is loosely based).
One thing I have to say about this episode right off: It is, in my mind, the best animation ever produced for American television. You can talk all you want about Aeon Flux or Samurai Jack, or even Ren & Stimpy, but none of them hold a candle to the first few seasons of Batman: The Animated Series, and On Leather Wings especially. The animation is feature film quality, and apart from being framed for a 4:3 screen, it has the scale of a feature film. The aerial chase sequence between Batman and Man-Bat could stand up to the motorcycle chase from Akira, for instance. (Which shouldn't be too surprising, as a lot of the animators from Akira would eventually work on Batman: TAS.)QFT.
As far as the story, yeah there are a few plot holes. I think we're meant to assume that Dr. March lied to Bruce Wayne because he was trying to protect Dr. Langstrom, but it's never directly stated.
One thing I've wondered about this show, was Harvey Dent/Two-Face origninally supposed to be an african-american in this show? His color is distinctly caucasian, and Richard Moll is white, but the way his features are drawn seems to look more african-american than caucasian. And especially towards the beginning, the show was taking a lot of its cues from the Tim Burton movies, in which Billy Dee Williams played Harvey Dent.
I was going to ask how you are are writing so much, but then I noticed there was a synopsis included.
But I would like to know how have the time to write so much! *pout*
I was going to ask how you are are writing so much, but then I noticed there was a synopsis included.
But I would like to know how have the time to write so much! *pout*
Part of it is insomnia.
The other part is the fact that rambling about Batman is practically my natural state of being.
Just a note on those who didn't like the style of the revamped Bats... If I'm not totally mistaken, as well as the budgetary reasons, I could swear that I'd once read Timm saying that the sleeker style was closer to what he'd originally had in mind for the series. I am also one of those who preferred the later style, liking Bruce Wayne's design much more than the original, who to me always looked dumpy and disheveled. I also liked Gordon more, as he looked older and more stooped, and Penguin was a vast improvement. However, I will agree that several of the villains got short shrift. Joker's minty-green complexion and black eyes were never my favorite, and I missed the red smile of his mouth. I loathed the Riddler's redesign, turning him from the dapper character from the original series into some kind of Clockwork Orange/Jim Carrey Riddler mashup. Catwoman's costume I liked, but thought she looked anorexic. And I thought Croc looked flat-out horrible. On the other hand, the Scarecrow was a fantastic redesign, and I actually liked Poison Ivy's new look quite a bit. Also, Freeze blew my mind. I thought his new, more inhuman look was fantastic.
I gotta say, this is making me want to go back and rewatch this show as well... Mmmmmm, nostalgia.
Yeah, X-Mas with the Joker is a definite change in tone from the first episode, but I always liked the animated series idea that the Joker isn't just a homicidal maniac, nor is he just a merry mischief maker, but something in between. And I think the fact that he's willing to put a whole trainload of people in mortal danger just so he can shove a pie in Batman's face says a lot about his character.
Another note, Tim Curry was originally cast as the Joker in TAS, but after he'd recorded a couple of episodes, they decided to recast and of course ended up with the legendary Mark Hamill. Not only did Hamill's Joker become one of the most iconic portrayals of the character, but it also led to Hamill having a second career as a voice-actor. Still, I think it would be interesting to hear some of Tim Curry's recordings for the character.
And I don't understand why they put the episodes in the order they did on the animated sets. I guess it's in production order rather than broadcast order? I dunno.
I think the best design of the Joker in the Diniverse is probably the version from the flashback scenes in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.
Yeah, X-Mas with the Joker is a definite change in tone from the first episode, but I always liked the animated series idea that the Joker isn't just a homicidal maniac, nor is he just a merry mischief maker, but something in between. And I think the fact that he's willing to put a whole trainload of people in mortal danger just so he can shove a pie in Batman's face says a lot about his character.
Mark Hamil as the Joker does eventually become my favorite Joker thanks to this series, due to that balance of homicidal maniac and merry mischief maker you're talking about, I just don't think they'd found the right balance, in performance writing or animation, yet. In the On Leather Wings commentary they talked a lot about the quest to find realism in the context of the show, and to keep things believable. This episode I think faltered heavily on that. Yes, it's funny to think that Joker masterminded this scheme just to be in the same room as Batman with a face full of pie. I think that if the more unbelievable elements had been handled better though, that punchline would have hit a lot harder. Later Joker episodes I remember finding the right edge, even if they did stretch realism more than some other episodes they didn't stretch them the same way or as far. (And yes, you have to consider it realism in the context of a series featuring science that is basically magic and where everyone wants to wear their fancy pajamas in public all the time.) I will say I love it when Joker bends and breaks the fourth wall, taking the opportunity to talk directly to the audience, and the random moments that come up in later episodes where he's just by himself and being goofy, imitating Curly just for the hell of it.Another note, Tim Curry was originally cast as the Joker in TAS, but after he'd recorded a couple of episodes, they decided to recast and of course ended up with the legendary Mark Hamill. Not only did Hamill's Joker become one of the most iconic portrayals of the character, but it also led to Hamill having a second career as a voice-actor. Still, I think it would be interesting to hear some of Tim Curry's recordings for the character.
I'm pretty curious about this as well, and it'd be interesting to see this episode with his voice to see how it might have changed things. Tim Curry has done some awesome voicework in the past, and while he probably never would have been my first choice for Joker, I know he can be a great villain. To me though, one evil clown in a career is probably enough.
(http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/373/pennywise.gif)And I don't understand why they put the episodes in the order they did on the animated sets. I guess it's in production order rather than broadcast order? I dunno.
I'm going to go ahead and assume that's the case unless someone corrects me. On Leather Wings wasn't the first episode aired, but it is clearly identified as the pilot, and it makes sense to sit on Christmas with the Joker until Christmas actually rolls around. Also, assuming this was one of the Curry episodes that Hamil had to re-record it might have started production early while being finished much later.I think the best design of the Joker in the Diniverse is probably the version from the flashback scenes in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.
(http://www.markhamill.com/images/bbrotjpo.jpg)
Agreed.
easily one of my fav episodes was The Creeper episode. God that guy was hilarious. He even scares the Joker. Now THAT is insane..
easily one of my fav episodes was The Creeper episode. God that guy was hilarious. He even scares the Joker. Now THAT is insane..
I believe the Creeper was based on Bruce Timm's original concept for Freakazoid.
I thought "Star Labs" was the Flash?
[/quote
]star labs is DCYeah. It's most closely associated with Superman though, as STAR Labs often helps Metropolis and Superman with testing for various sci-fi threats.
I never got that into Batman Beyond, but Return of the Joker is easily watchable with no prior knowledge. It's a fantastic film.
I never got that into Batman Beyond, but Return of the Joker is easily watchable with no prior knowledge. It's a fantastic film.
Very true, I might still include it. Though as it stands I do have the censored version, and I've been meaning to track down the uncut.
I never got that into Batman Beyond, but Return of the Joker is easily watchable with no prior knowledge. It's a fantastic film.
Very true, I might still include it. Though as it stands I do have the censored version, and I've been meaning to track down the uncut.
its basically similar to shield in marvel
Ah got ya. Isnt there some sort of star labs marvel equal.
The score for this episode is one of my favorites from the whole series, mostly because of the theme composed for the episode. It's so unlike any other score from the show with the use of percussion. Also the Danny Elfman theme makes another appearance, this time as Batman chases Joker on the conveyer belt.
And yeah, the "you killed captain clown" line is probably my favorite Joker line from the whole series.
Also I like the way they keep establishing Harvey, by now he feels like a well rounded sympathetic character. Showing the friendship between him and Bruce adds another layer on that.
It was the Joker's eyes that bugged me in the later seasons.
(http://www.dohtem.com/joker/animation/jkrart25.gif)
You give those eyes to talking puppies. Not crazed lunatics. :^)
It was still one of my favorite shows after the change, just prefer the way it was before. I kind of understand why they did the changes, they wanted to be able to present Batman and Superman in a block and even do a their "Worlds Finest" crossover movie/three parter episodes, and if they put Batman as designed next to Superman as designed it would have been grating to look at. They needed a cohesive style. Just a matter of personal taste.
At this point, talking about the show again, I'm tempted to steal anais's idea from her Star Trek thread and just watch the show from beginning to end, revisiting each episode and posting a review here. True, she's watching shows for the first time, so it won't have the same kind of impact, but could still be fun. I can keep it in this thread to keep the discussions going, and anyone else can join in with their own reviews. Whats everyone else think?
I blieve there were also budget cuts so they needed to chenge the style to something that would take less time to animated. I don't think the WB gave them as much money as Fox.
It's not as bad as GI Joe was in this regard.
G.I. Joe, the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and a couple of episodes of Batman all prove the rule that deadly violence is okay... as long as it happens to a robot.
More on that when we get to those episodes.
It's not as bad as GI Joe was in this regard.
Yeah how many times can you get blasted in the chest with a giant laser and be okay?
It's not as bad as GI Joe was in this regard.
Yeah how many times can you get blasted in the chest with a giant laser and be okay?
At least once according to our in-depth field testing during our iRiff recording sessions for G.I. Joe. ;)
In the re-watch I have noticed other things. They make sure no one "dies", and make sure to explain that.
I'm watching the first episode with the League of Shadows. Two assassins attack Batman and an informant, and the assassin manages to throw the informant off the Statue of Liberty (or whatever the Gotham equivalent is). They make sure to show the guy land int eh water, then come up. Batman then corners the two assassins, who use a gas on themselves, they show their faces and they look pretty dead. Next scene batman said they used a mind-wiping gas.
I know it was a show for kids, but this episode just really stands out with them going out of their way to explain that no one died.
Think my top 3 would probably be...The man who killed Batman... that was a pretty hardcore episode! I mean Jesus the Joker
Beware the Gray Ghost
The Man Who Killed Batman
Heart of Ice
New Batman animated news - Cartoon Network is working on yet another batman show, this one titled "Beware the Batman." (They've also got a Green Lantern animated series, a Doom Patrol series and Lauren "MLP" Faust is working on shorts with Batgirl, Supergirl and Wondergirl.) It's CGI, BTW.
A look at BtB:
(http://blog.newsarama.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/bewarethebatman.jpg)
I blame Bat-Mite for this. He made BBATB jump the shark
I blame Bat-Mite for this. He made BBATB jump the shark
Are you kidding? The Bat-Mite episodes of BatB are the BEST!
I blame Bat-Mite for this. He made BBATB jump the shark
Are you kidding? The Bat-Mite episodes of BatB are the BEST!
You haven't seen the final episode of BBATB have you?Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Hence it wasn't a joke that I hated Bat-Mite (I loved him btw) but a reference to the last episode
(http://blog.newsarama.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/bewarethebatman.jpg)
(http://blog.newsarama.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/bewarethebatman.jpg)
Hmmm... I'm not sure I care for the knew look (although BatB took some getting used to too). And is that really Alfred with guns? Or just a really spiffy Jim Gordon. It's hard to tell. Still, if it's Alfred, that doesn't seem right at all considering Bat's gun hatred.