Post by "Perfection" Evan Cartwright on Dec 26, 2006 1:34:57 GMT -5
Since all the Batman talk was flying about, it got me thinking about the old Batman: The Animated Series which ran from 1992-1995 when I was a kid. I loved it back then and love it even more now. The whole noir aspect, the adult-themed but still kid friendly stories, and the studies in insane super criminal psychology.
Anyhoo, what are your favorite episodes from that series and why? If you're old enough to remember them that is, or are just a fan and have seen them.
Some of my favorites include:
The Laughing Fish - Showed a more sadistic side to the Mark Hamill-voiced Joker (my all-time favorite Joker, btw) and was slightly more disturbing Joker as opposed to off the wall funny Joker. His gassing of the innocent patent clerk made me actually feel outrage.
Heart of Ice - Intro to Mr. Freeze; there is some providence in the fall of sparrow, my friends. This was the first episode of the series I saw and it was awesome. I especially like how they showed Batman's compassionate side when he helped Freeze's left behind henchman and free him from the icicles around his legs in the bat cave.
P.O.V - I originally thought this one was dull and boring as a kid, but looking back, I like the whole Rashoman homage that it was. Gotta love Bullock too.
Almost Got Him - Everyone's favorite episode; it had them all, Penguin, Joker, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Catwoman (my least favorite btw), and the comedic genius, Killer Croc.
Croc: "There I was, holed up in this quarry, and the Bats comes snooping around... he was getting closer and closer, and then (dramatic pause)... I THREW A ROCK AT HIM!"
(Blank stares)
Poison Ivy: "So, Harvey, what ever happened to the giant penny?"
Croc (hurt): "Well it was a big rock."
Two-Face: "They actually let him (Batman) keep it (the giant penny.)
The Man Who Killed Batman - Not one of the best, kinda goofy, but I still loved it. Sid the Squid just offed the Batman! (not really.)
Sideshow - Just a very moving episode to me. The sideshow freaks living in the woods and Croc taking advantage of their good nature. Good take on the frog and the scorpion parable. I can't help it, it's in me nature.
Feat of Clay Parts I and II - Matt Hagen becomes Clayface. Tragedy befalls the once great thespian and he becomes a shape shifting mound of clay. I also liked Mudslide as it further detailed Hagen's falling apart, physically and mentally. Very good stuff.
Anything with the Mad Hatter, always one of my favorites. In particular, his introduction episode.
Mad as a Hatter - I love the Alice in Wonderland story and I frequently draw on references to it. The Mad Hatter is such an intriguing and complex character to me. Again, there is some providence in the fall of a sparrow, only this time he chooses to fall instead of being forced to like Mr. Freeze. His obsession for Alice drives him to create his own world of control in his own unique Wonderland. I love it. Especially the end where Batman drops the Jabberwocky statue atop him and Tetch (Mad Hatter) looking out at Alice and her boyfriend reunited, with pain in his eyes. Then the famous line: "Would not, could not... would not, could not... oh, could not join the dance." Then showing the statue of the mock turtle weeping. I get chills every time I see that image. The symbolism is off the hook, people! I also like the voice acting of the late, great Roddy McDowell as The Hatter. His voice, like Mark Hamill's Joker, was just perfect for it.
Yes, I'm a dork, but I love it, and I loved the storytelling and symbolism of the majority of the episodes of BTAS. There were a few stinker episodes, but even most of those were entertaining. Anyway, I've rambled enough. Which episodes do you boys enjoy and why?
Anyhoo, what are your favorite episodes from that series and why? If you're old enough to remember them that is, or are just a fan and have seen them.
Some of my favorites include:
The Laughing Fish - Showed a more sadistic side to the Mark Hamill-voiced Joker (my all-time favorite Joker, btw) and was slightly more disturbing Joker as opposed to off the wall funny Joker. His gassing of the innocent patent clerk made me actually feel outrage.
Heart of Ice - Intro to Mr. Freeze; there is some providence in the fall of sparrow, my friends. This was the first episode of the series I saw and it was awesome. I especially like how they showed Batman's compassionate side when he helped Freeze's left behind henchman and free him from the icicles around his legs in the bat cave.
P.O.V - I originally thought this one was dull and boring as a kid, but looking back, I like the whole Rashoman homage that it was. Gotta love Bullock too.
Almost Got Him - Everyone's favorite episode; it had them all, Penguin, Joker, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Catwoman (my least favorite btw), and the comedic genius, Killer Croc.
Croc: "There I was, holed up in this quarry, and the Bats comes snooping around... he was getting closer and closer, and then (dramatic pause)... I THREW A ROCK AT HIM!"
(Blank stares)
Poison Ivy: "So, Harvey, what ever happened to the giant penny?"
Croc (hurt): "Well it was a big rock."
Two-Face: "They actually let him (Batman) keep it (the giant penny.)
The Man Who Killed Batman - Not one of the best, kinda goofy, but I still loved it. Sid the Squid just offed the Batman! (not really.)
Sideshow - Just a very moving episode to me. The sideshow freaks living in the woods and Croc taking advantage of their good nature. Good take on the frog and the scorpion parable. I can't help it, it's in me nature.
Feat of Clay Parts I and II - Matt Hagen becomes Clayface. Tragedy befalls the once great thespian and he becomes a shape shifting mound of clay. I also liked Mudslide as it further detailed Hagen's falling apart, physically and mentally. Very good stuff.
Anything with the Mad Hatter, always one of my favorites. In particular, his introduction episode.
Mad as a Hatter - I love the Alice in Wonderland story and I frequently draw on references to it. The Mad Hatter is such an intriguing and complex character to me. Again, there is some providence in the fall of a sparrow, only this time he chooses to fall instead of being forced to like Mr. Freeze. His obsession for Alice drives him to create his own world of control in his own unique Wonderland. I love it. Especially the end where Batman drops the Jabberwocky statue atop him and Tetch (Mad Hatter) looking out at Alice and her boyfriend reunited, with pain in his eyes. Then the famous line: "Would not, could not... would not, could not... oh, could not join the dance." Then showing the statue of the mock turtle weeping. I get chills every time I see that image. The symbolism is off the hook, people! I also like the voice acting of the late, great Roddy McDowell as The Hatter. His voice, like Mark Hamill's Joker, was just perfect for it.
Yes, I'm a dork, but I love it, and I loved the storytelling and symbolism of the majority of the episodes of BTAS. There were a few stinker episodes, but even most of those were entertaining. Anyway, I've rambled enough. Which episodes do you boys enjoy and why?
![Ryan Ro [NAPW] Avatar](http://www.connexionsmusic.com/napw/avatars/ljpic_GOAT.jpg)
![Scott [NAPW Staff] Avatar](http://www.geocities.com/darth_marauder/scottavatar.JPG){kind=avatar}
