Heya, Relatively Dimensional here!
Recently on this blog, I posted a top ten Batman Beyond episodes. Whilst that show is really quite good, I imagine it was a bit weird for me to post that before a Batman: The Animated Series list. Don't know what B:TAS is? Where have you been?
Often regarded as the best superhero television series of all time (only now rivaled by Arrow), the show not only gave us a perfect embodiment of the spirit of the Batman fit for the adults but still accessible to the children (whilst still introducing a bit of it's own material into the comic canon), it also began the DC Animated Universe, which included Superman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, Static Shock, and both Justice League shows, each of which managed to include this Batman in some form or another.
And that's all you need to know, really. Remember, this is a Seriesverse list, one which could count any crossover or feature film as an entry. Let's begin!
Note: Major spoilers for Batman: Mask of the Phantasm here. If you have not seen it and have any interest, please don't read the "And Because?"!
10) "Holiday Knights" (TNBA episode)
Written by: Paul Dini
Synopsis: Three vigenettes chronicle the Christmas season for Batman, Robin, Batgirl, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Clayface, the Joker, and Commissioner Gordon.
And Because?: Based on a Christmas comic annual, Holiday Knights was the first episode to kick off The New Batman Adventures. It's also one of it's best episodes. Many comedy episodes have places on this list, so this one fits well, embodying both the Christmas spirit and humorous antics. The ending scene with Batman and Gordon is also one of the best in the DC Animated Universe.
09) "Harlequinade" (BTAS episode)
Written by: Paul Dini
Synopsis: Left with no time to spare after the Joker steals an atomic bomb, Batman and Robin are forced to enlist the help of Harley Quinn.
And Because?: Harley Quinn is, deservedly so, often considered to be one of the show's very best creations, recieving so much love she's appeared in many a comic book, television show, and video game. She was even considered as the villain to the unproduced Batman Triumphant. Episodes like this one helped tremendously. It's the perfect story for the character. The Joker is doing what he does, so Batman recruits Quinn. She helps him out, but can't resist going back to Mistah J in the end. Plus, she sings one of the few musical numbers in the Timmverse.
08) "Read My Lips" (BTAS episode)
Written by: Paul Dini
Synopsis: Batman faces one of his strangest cases ever when he discovers a gang he knows to have committed a number of robberies turns out to be run by a ventriloquist's dummy.
And Because?: The most underrated episode of Batman: The Animated Series, being a perfect "villain of the week" episode with a great, totally different antagonist. Scarface, in turn, is also an underrated Batman villain, having rarely been represented well following his appearances in this and his two following episodes. The Ventriloquist is also a very interesting character, his strange split personality providing a thought-provoking gimmick.
07) "Shadow of the Bat Parts. 1&2" (BTAS episodes)
Written by: Brynne Stephens
Synopsis: When her father is framed for taking bribes from Rupert Thorne and Batman is nowhere to be found at the rally that pleads in his behalf, Barbara takes the law into her own hands as Batgirl.
And Because?: Batgirl was a great addition to the series, and this is a really good origin story for her. It sparked Robin and Batgirl's attraction to one another, we get to see Batman go incognito (always a treat), and we get a healthy dose of our beloved Commissioner. Thinking about it, Two-Face, the enemy of the story, hasn't been in a bad episode, has he? The only other character I can think about having done that is the Joker, but then again, he's the Joker.
06) Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (Feature film)
Written by: Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko, and Michael Reaves
Synopsis: Bruce considers giving up the mantle of the Batman after the return of his love from long ago, Andrea Beaumont. A shadowy vigilante similar to Batman begins slaying Gotham's criminals.
And Because?: Often regarded, after Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, to be one of the best DC animated films, Mask of the Phantasm works so well because it plays like a classic Batman comic book that still manages to tug at your heartstrings. The villains are like those in a live-action feature film: gangsters, a well-established villain (the Joker), and a new foe (the Phantasm), each of which are played perfectly and are an integral part of the story. The romance starts out very sweet, then becomes incredibly sad once you realize what both parties eventually became. It fits that this epic picture was released in theatres. Wish I could've seen it. :/
05) "Over the Edge" (TNBA episode)
Written by: Paul Dini
Synopsis: Batman becomes public enemy number one after Comissioner Gordon witnesses Barbara's death during a battle with the Scarecrow and swears revenge.
And Because?: The grimmest tale on this list, it does seemingly the undoable with Batgirl's death, Nightwing's arrest, and Batman's undoing. This episode always has you on the edge of your seat, with every single fight scene a pleasure to watch. Underused characters also get their due here, such as the aformented Nightwing, the Scarecrow, and Bane. Even though the solution to the madness is a bit of a cop-out, the final conversation between Barbara and her father makes up for all of it.
04) "Showdown" (BTAS episode)
Written by: Kevin Altieri, Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, and Joe R. Lansdale
Synopsis: Ra's al Ghul narrates a story from his past in which disfigured cowboy Jonah Hex attempted to stop his play to destroy a transcontinental railroad using a war blimp.
And Because?: Jonah Hex is perhaps my favorite fictional cowboy, partially for being not just scary but also a complete badass. Few stories have used him well. But when they do, they do it fantastically. Showdown shows the series' true brilliance, as it manages to provide an exciting adventure with very little Batman in the story. It also should be noted as one of my favorite flashback episodes and one of my favorite Ra's al Ghul stories.
03) "Heart of Ice" (BTAS episode)
Written by: Paul Dini
Synopsis: Batman is faced with a conflicting choice when he realizes new supervillain Mr. Freeze's attempt to gain vengeance on GothCorp CEO Ferris Boyle is justified.
And Because?: The episode you're likely to know even if you're never seen Batman: The Animated Series. Mr. Freeze's tragic origin provided a much-needed backstory to an otherwise bland villain and did it so well it was used in everything from then on, even the dreadful Batman & Robin. The guest cast is also great, with Michael Ansara as a perfect Mr. Freeze and Mark Hamill as the slimy Ferris Boyle before his casting as the Joker. Heart of Ice won a well-deserved Daytime Emmy Award and started the story of the DC Animated Universe Victor Fries, one which would be concluded in the similarly excellent Batman Beyond episode Meltdown.
02) "Legends of the Dark Knight" (TNBA episode)
Written by: Robert Goodman and Bruce Timm
Synopsis: Three kids' sharing of stories of how they imagine the Dark Knight to be is interrupted when they come upon Firefly attempting to burn down a theater.
And Because?: A legendary episode that is a true love-letter to the Batman mythos. I mean, come on! You get the Silver Age Batman, The Dark Knight Returns Batman, and the Kevin Conroy Batman all in one episode! The adaptions are also done perfectly, with the Joker's attempted theft of a massive piano and Batman's brutal fight with the Mutant Leader feeling ripped right out of their comic books. There's also a diss at Joel Schumacher's Batman film series entries that can't be missed.
Top 5 Honorable Mentions:
01) Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero
Mr. Freeze attempts to save his wife by kidnapping Barbara and using her blood for a transfusion.
02) "The Cat and the Claw Parts. 1&2"
Batman must rescue cat burglar Selina Kyle from the clutches of terrorist group the Red Claw.
03) "Trial"
A Batman-hating district attorney is forced to defend him when he's put on trial by his enemies.
04) "Never Fear"
Batman becomes infected by the Scarecrow's latest toxin, which instead of causing fear, eliminates it.
05) "Mad Love"
Harley Quinn reminisces on the first time she met the Joker, years ago as an Arkham psychiatrist.
Top 5 Dishonorable Mentions:
01) "The Underdwellers"
Batman faces the Sewer King, a pipe-dwelling foe who forces homeless children to do his dirty work.
02) "Prophecy of Doom"
Batman attempts to take down the leader of a cult founded on the belief that he can predict the future.
03) "What is Reality?"
Batman journeys into the Riddler's deadly virtual reality game to save the Commissioner's life.
04) "Avatar"
Batman and Talia team up to stop Ra's al Ghul from resurrecting an ancient Egyptian goddess.
05) "Mean Seasons"
Batman pursues a psychopathic ex-model who uses the spirit of the season to commit her crimes.
01) "Almost Got 'Im" (BTAS episode)
Written by: Paul Dini
Synopsis: The Joker, Two-Face, the Penguin, Killer Croc, and Poison Ivy trade stories of how they almost killed the Batman at a poker table.
And Because?: The ultimate in Batman: The Animated Series genius. Similarly to Legends of the Dark Knight, this episode revolves around stories of the Batman, though each featuring a specific villain and the almost-offing of the Caped Crusader. Seeing the lives of the villains when they're not commiting crimes is a treat, appearances from nearly every major Batman enemy are woved nicely into the story, and a twist ending is present that makes the episode even better on second watch. Possibly the best Batman animated story ever put to screen, and I can find absolutely no faults. That's Batman: The Animated Series for you.
And bats it!
Thanks for reading, fellows. This truly is a wonderful show that is required viewing for any true Batman fan. Any of these episodes are a perfect spring into the universe of the Dark Knight, but I fully recommend watching the entire show. Even the dishonorable mentions. Yes, it's that good.
See you soon!
"I am vengeance! I am the night! I am Batman!"
Monday, January 26, 2015
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Blog Update!
Relatively Dimensional here.
To tidy this up the best I possibly can, here's a, you guessed it, list:
1) +1 Button
To publicly recommend the blog if you wish to do so.
2) Top Top Tens & other assorted goodies
A showing of the most popular posts on my site thus far.
3) Spotlight of the Week
A weekly recommendation with a recent interest of mine in the spotlight.
4) Labels
I've labeled my Top Tens, Fortune Cookies, QuikReacts, and other assorted content in case the long scrolling is a bit much for you.
5) Wikipedia
If your interest is piqued by my spotlight or a post on the site, you can search it up on Wikipedia.
6) Pageview Dimension
An update on how many Internet wanderers have clicked on and seen this relative dimension.
7) Search Box
Remember the exact name of a Top Ten or something or other of the past? Look it up with the search box and see the most possible results.
8) Relatively International
Jamais appris à lire l'anglais? That's fine, click this and read the site in any other language you or Google Translate can think up.
Also, finally we have a new Fortune Cookie Saturday for those worried about your future, as well as some clean-ups throughout the site, fixing grammer & spelling issues and all that.
Well, that's it. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, folks. I'll see you soon.
Peace,
Relatively Dimensional
Just here to give an update about some recent updates I've applied to help guide new Dimensionals around the blog, or just give a bit of info to any onlookers who happen to see this whilst clicking the "Next Blog" button hoping for Springfield Punx or whatever.
To tidy this up the best I possibly can, here's a, you guessed it, list:
1) +1 Button
To publicly recommend the blog if you wish to do so.
2) Top Top Tens & other assorted goodies
A showing of the most popular posts on my site thus far.
3) Spotlight of the Week
A weekly recommendation with a recent interest of mine in the spotlight.
4) Labels
I've labeled my Top Tens, Fortune Cookies, QuikReacts, and other assorted content in case the long scrolling is a bit much for you.
5) Wikipedia
If your interest is piqued by my spotlight or a post on the site, you can search it up on Wikipedia.
6) Pageview Dimension
An update on how many Internet wanderers have clicked on and seen this relative dimension.
7) Search Box
Remember the exact name of a Top Ten or something or other of the past? Look it up with the search box and see the most possible results.
8) Relatively International
Jamais appris à lire l'anglais? That's fine, click this and read the site in any other language you or Google Translate can think up.
Also, finally we have a new Fortune Cookie Saturday for those worried about your future, as well as some clean-ups throughout the site, fixing grammer & spelling issues and all that.
Well, that's it. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, folks. I'll see you soon.
Peace,
Relatively Dimensional
F08: Fortune Cookie Saturday!
"Curse words will provide the key to an essential part of the next five years of your life."
Your lucky numbers: 27 19 56 73 31 91
Your lucky numbers: 27 19 56 73 31 91
QuikReact: The Big Bang Theory Eps 1&2
First of all, let me start off with how great this theme song is:
"Our whole universe was in a hot dense state
then nearly foutreen billion years ago expansion started, wait...
The Earth began to cool,
the autotrophs began to drool,
Neanderthals developed tools,
we built the wall! (We built the pyramids!)
Math, science, history,
unraveling the mystery
that all started with a Big Bang!"
That's amazing.
And so is the show, so far.
Now, normally, I'm not to big a fan of shows focused towards only one genre. I'm more of a sci-fi action-adventure dramady-type dude. But this comedy-only stuff is actually funny.
Maybe it's because I am what I am: a geek, but a self-aware geek. I understand that, quite often enough, the stereotypes surrounding what I am and what I do are often correct, but this show shows that that doesn't have to be a bad thing. Sure, Penny doesn't have a clue about what they're saying, but that's actually good for a change. These people are friends and live the stable lives that they do because of their intelligence and their capacity for enjoying comic books, films, and video games.
Oh, and also, it's lines like these, simple but hilarious, that really make it:
Leonard (on the subject of Penny): "Our babies are going to be smart and beautiful."
Sheldon: "Not to mention imaginary."
You can't beat Sheldon. Or any of the rest of the gang for that matter.
Looking ahead further into The Big Bang Theory, which I assure you I'm going to be watching, it's a seriously daunting task. 8 seasons! 8 seasons! That's one more than Buffy!
But I will get through it, I tell you, I will! I have a feeling I'm going to be a fan of this show (or a theory, for that matter, heh heh), and no doubt I'll be sure to remember the day when it all started with a Big Bang.
Look for some more Batman related content in the future, and f*cking hopefully an Angel top ten.
See you soon!
"Our whole universe was in a hot dense state
then nearly foutreen billion years ago expansion started, wait...
The Earth began to cool,
the autotrophs began to drool,
Neanderthals developed tools,
we built the wall! (We built the pyramids!)
Math, science, history,
unraveling the mystery
that all started with a Big Bang!"
That's amazing.
And so is the show, so far.
Now, normally, I'm not to big a fan of shows focused towards only one genre. I'm more of a sci-fi action-adventure dramady-type dude. But this comedy-only stuff is actually funny.
Maybe it's because I am what I am: a geek, but a self-aware geek. I understand that, quite often enough, the stereotypes surrounding what I am and what I do are often correct, but this show shows that that doesn't have to be a bad thing. Sure, Penny doesn't have a clue about what they're saying, but that's actually good for a change. These people are friends and live the stable lives that they do because of their intelligence and their capacity for enjoying comic books, films, and video games.
Oh, and also, it's lines like these, simple but hilarious, that really make it:
Leonard (on the subject of Penny): "Our babies are going to be smart and beautiful."
Sheldon: "Not to mention imaginary."
You can't beat Sheldon. Or any of the rest of the gang for that matter.
Looking ahead further into The Big Bang Theory, which I assure you I'm going to be watching, it's a seriously daunting task. 8 seasons! 8 seasons! That's one more than Buffy!
But I will get through it, I tell you, I will! I have a feeling I'm going to be a fan of this show (or a theory, for that matter, heh heh), and no doubt I'll be sure to remember the day when it all started with a Big Bang.
Look for some more Batman related content in the future, and f*cking hopefully an Angel top ten.
See you soon!
Sunday, January 4, 2015
11: Top Ten Best: Batman Beyondverse Stories
Hi all!
You may remember my not stated but extremely obvious love for the Batman that shone through during my eighth top ten list. It can not be denied. I love the guy, from the no tent or marshmallow left behind camp fest that is the original 1966-68 Batman series, to the dark, gritty comic book legend that is The Dark Knight Returns.
I've loved the guy for many years, but it all started back when I first watched Batman: The Animated Series. It was beautiful. It wasn't too colorful or nutty, it was perfectly fun just the way it was, with action and style to boot. And since then, there've been plentiful Batman shows throughout the years, all of which I've enjoyed. Batman: The Brave and the Bold was a great departure from the norm, Beware the Batman oozed with ideas and opppertunites, and, hell, I'm one of the people who really likes The Batman. But, out of all the shows, today we're here to talk about the one that really took a risk: Batman Beyond.
Thought by many to be some cheap way to revive Batman and get someone "relatable" into the costume, the show surprised many with the epic two-parter that acted like tight pants and made an impression. It was sad, it was exciting, and our new hero, Terry McGinnis, was just plain likeable. (Personally I was sold with the announcement that Kevin Conroy was old Bruce.) And it didn't stop there! Whilst not as good as the original BTAS, Batman Beyond had a multitude of great stories and proved it was indeed a worthy successor to the one that started it all.
It didn't end there either. Following its cancellation, Batman Beyond continued to cast it's handsome shadow over animated medium, featuring crossovers with the acclaimed Justice League, releasing a feature film, and even recieving a new, recent short film for Batman's 75th anniversary.
And today, we're going to be delving into the top (non-comic book, sorry folks) ten stories taking place in the myself-proclaimed Batman Beyondverse! So...let's go!
(Note: The Once and Future Thing is disqualified for not having this time period in it for half the episode, and for otherwise taking first place for Bruce of the future and Bruce of the past conversing.)
10) "Shriek" (Batman Beyond episode)
Written by: Stan Berkowitz
Synopsis: Derek Powers hires an assassin who utilizes the ability to manipulate sound in an attempt to run Bruce Wayne out of his shared control of Wayne-Powers.
And Because?: The introduction of one of Batman Beyond's many inventive supervillains, as well as one of the rarer Beyond episodes to focus on Bruce. It's an intriguing story that also manages to focus on Season One's ongoing Powers storyline.
09) "Terry's Friend Dates a Robot" (Batman Beyond episode)
Written by: John P. McCann & Paul Dini
Synopsis: Hopeless nerd, Howard Groote's purchase of a beautiful android designed to be his girlfriend backfires when her possessive nature goes overboard at a party.
And Because?: The best of the comedic-focused Beyond episodes, and McCann's only DCAU story. It's one of those rare comedic looks at what crappy and nasty ideas will probably come into play within humanity's future, namely the sexbot.
08) "Zeta" (Batman Beyond episode)
Written by: Robert Goodman
Synopsis: Warned by the government of a shapeshifting android of their's gone rogue, Batman's attempt to find it soon leads to Max's kidnapping.
And Because?: Like "Countdown" (which did not make the list), this is a Zeta story that manages to be better than his entire spin-off. A robot with a conscience is a far overused story trope, but a major part of this one's success is it's ability to provide a storyline revolving around that trope that doesn't feel tired or too familiar.
07) "Eyewitness" (Batman Beyond episode)
Written by: Hilary J. Bader & Rich Fogel
Synopsis: Terry pleads for innocence after the Comissioner witnesses him murder an opponent in cold blood. On the run from the police, Terry must find the true culprit before he's captured.
And Because?: Over the Edge without the cop-out ending. Barbara's evolution into and story as what seems like possibly a harder comissioner than her father was underused in Batman Beyond, but this was the closest we got to a story revolving around her. It was also nice to see how much Bruce trusts Terry, something that wouldn't have worked as well earlier in the show.
06) "Meltdown" (Batman Beyond episode)
Written by: Hilary J. Bader & Alan Burnett
Synopsis: As a test to see if the same can be done for Derek Powers before his permanent distortion, Victor Fries, a villain of the original Batman's, is given a new body.
And Because?: Mr. Freeze was the center around some of The Animated Series' best stories, bringing us such classics as Heart of Ice and Sub-Zero, and that streak is no different with Batman Beyond. This is probably the best villain redemption story of the lot, and it finishes with a bang, showing us a three-way battle between Batman, Blight, and Mr. Freeze that the series never again really replicated.
05) "The Call Parts 1&2" (Batman Beyond episodes)
Written by: Hilary J. Bader, Rich Fogel, Stan Berkowitz, Alan Burnett, & Paul Dini
Synopsis: Superman arrives to offer Terry a place in the Justice League after suspecting of a traitor among them. As time passes, Batman soon finds an old enemy hiding in the shadows.
And Because?: A fantastic way to introduce the Justice League into Bruce Timm's DCAU, bringing us a group of original characters alongside such well-known greats as Batman and Superman. Having Starro is also a nice nod to both the first ever JLA issue and the STAS story "The Main Man," giving Terry possibly the biggest fight and struggle of his life, and he WINS!
04) "Rebirth Parts 1&2" (Batman Beyond episodes)
Written by: Paul Dini, Alan Burnett, & Stan Berkowitz
Synopsis: Twenty years after the original Batman's retirement, Terry McGinnis learns of his secret the same night Terry's father is murdered by corrupt businessman, Derek Powers.
And Because?: An origin story that many people consider too similar to Spider-Man's, but I particularly find it far superior. Terry's origin is nearly as sad and foreboding as Bruce's, and his first villain is a fascinating parallel to the Joker, given that Terry "creates" him in a similar fashion. The writing is also fantastic, and Bruce's depression following his near-use of a gun shows how he needs Terry just as much as Terry needs him.
03) "Out of the Past" (Batman Beyond episode)
Written by: Paul Dini
Synopsis: Bruce's old girlfriend, Talia al Ghul, arrives to offer him, with use of the Lazarus Pit, eternal youth. Sure he can help Gotham this way, Bruce accepts, but finds not all is as it seems.
And Because?: One of the many successful Batman Beyond episodes featuring characters from ye Batman of old's era, except not only is this one the best, it's also incredibly nasty. With the wonderous-ness-ness of seeing Bruce as his badass, ripped, younger self, we get the disturbing-ness-ness of Ra's taking over his daughter's body, killing her while he's at it. "Lady, that is the sickest thing I've ever heard! You're creeping me out." "You? She kissed me!"
02) Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (feature film)
Written by: Paul Dini, Glen Murakami, & Bruce Timm
Synopsis: When the Joker apparently returns from the dead with a knowledge of the Dark Knight's secret identity, Terry McGinnis must stop him before he finally destroys Gotham City.
And Because?: This shouldn't surprise anyone. Perhaps tied with Batman: Gotham Knight, this is my favorite Batman animated film, perfecting the "new Batman vs classic villain" storyline seen in the show. This one also gets even more disturbing than the entry above, showing us how much of a twisted bastard the Joker really is, as if we didn't know. We also get Tim Drake in a major role, a flashback to the Batman of old, and Mark Hamill back as the J-man! It would be the ultimate nostalgia/reference fest, if not for....
Top 5 Honorable Mentions:
01) "Disappearing Inque" (Batman Beyond episode)
Stuck in her mutated form, Inque seeks to regain her human shape and get revenge on Batman.
02) "Ascension" (Batman Beyond episode)
Nearly reaching the final stages of his transformation into Blight, Powers turns to his son for help.
03) "Splicers" (Batman Beyond episode)
Batman investigates Gotham City's latest trend, the splicing of human DNA with that of animals'.
04) "The Eggbaby" (Batman Beyond episode)
Attempting to pass Family Studies, Terry takes a simulated Eggbaby with him on a mission.
05) "Darwyn Cooke's Batman Beyond" (Batman Beyond short)
Terry must defend Bruce from an army of robotic Batmen who have invaded the Batcave.
01) "Epilogue" (Justice League Unlimited episode)
Written by: Bruce Timm & Dwayne McDuffie
Synopsis: Bitter over the choices and implications his life as Batman he has made and may have to make, an older Terry McGinnis meets a retired Amanda Waller.
And Because?: ...this one. Yes, the best Batman Beyond episode is technically a Justice League episode, but anyone who's ever seen it knows through-and-through it's really the finale to a show which unfairly never got an end. Plus, we get those fantastic scenes with both Terry and Amanda Waller, as well as dozens upon dozens of references to past episodes and films within the show, including appearances from the future Justice League, Andrea Beaumont (aka the Phantasm), the Gray Ghost, and a flashback to the timeline of Justice League Unlimited. No DCAU episode can beat this one, I'm telling you, it's required watching for any Batman/DC/animation fan.
And that's it! The show really went above and beyond anyone's expectations, even crossing over to some of the shwayest DC Animated Universe TV shows airing alongside it. Anyone reading this now should totally check it out. And speaking of you fellas, thanks for reading!
I'm out.
Shameless advertisement:
"Hey, Relatively Dimensional fans! If you liked this list, make sure to thumbs up and subsc--sorry, wrong website, make sure to check out my other posts, including a top ten on the best gadgets from the critically acclaimed Batman: Arkham series of video games, and a list of my top fifty Joss Whedon televised productions as a tenth post special!"
You may remember my not stated but extremely obvious love for the Batman that shone through during my eighth top ten list. It can not be denied. I love the guy, from the no tent or marshmallow left behind camp fest that is the original 1966-68 Batman series, to the dark, gritty comic book legend that is The Dark Knight Returns.
I've loved the guy for many years, but it all started back when I first watched Batman: The Animated Series. It was beautiful. It wasn't too colorful or nutty, it was perfectly fun just the way it was, with action and style to boot. And since then, there've been plentiful Batman shows throughout the years, all of which I've enjoyed. Batman: The Brave and the Bold was a great departure from the norm, Beware the Batman oozed with ideas and opppertunites, and, hell, I'm one of the people who really likes The Batman. But, out of all the shows, today we're here to talk about the one that really took a risk: Batman Beyond.
Thought by many to be some cheap way to revive Batman and get someone "relatable" into the costume, the show surprised many with the epic two-parter that acted like tight pants and made an impression. It was sad, it was exciting, and our new hero, Terry McGinnis, was just plain likeable. (Personally I was sold with the announcement that Kevin Conroy was old Bruce.) And it didn't stop there! Whilst not as good as the original BTAS, Batman Beyond had a multitude of great stories and proved it was indeed a worthy successor to the one that started it all.
It didn't end there either. Following its cancellation, Batman Beyond continued to cast it's handsome shadow over animated medium, featuring crossovers with the acclaimed Justice League, releasing a feature film, and even recieving a new, recent short film for Batman's 75th anniversary.
And today, we're going to be delving into the top (non-comic book, sorry folks) ten stories taking place in the myself-proclaimed Batman Beyondverse! So...let's go!
(Note: The Once and Future Thing is disqualified for not having this time period in it for half the episode, and for otherwise taking first place for Bruce of the future and Bruce of the past conversing.)
10) "Shriek" (Batman Beyond episode)
Written by: Stan Berkowitz
Synopsis: Derek Powers hires an assassin who utilizes the ability to manipulate sound in an attempt to run Bruce Wayne out of his shared control of Wayne-Powers.
And Because?: The introduction of one of Batman Beyond's many inventive supervillains, as well as one of the rarer Beyond episodes to focus on Bruce. It's an intriguing story that also manages to focus on Season One's ongoing Powers storyline.
09) "Terry's Friend Dates a Robot" (Batman Beyond episode)
Written by: John P. McCann & Paul Dini
Synopsis: Hopeless nerd, Howard Groote's purchase of a beautiful android designed to be his girlfriend backfires when her possessive nature goes overboard at a party.
And Because?: The best of the comedic-focused Beyond episodes, and McCann's only DCAU story. It's one of those rare comedic looks at what crappy and nasty ideas will probably come into play within humanity's future, namely the sexbot.
08) "Zeta" (Batman Beyond episode)
Written by: Robert Goodman
Synopsis: Warned by the government of a shapeshifting android of their's gone rogue, Batman's attempt to find it soon leads to Max's kidnapping.
And Because?: Like "Countdown" (which did not make the list), this is a Zeta story that manages to be better than his entire spin-off. A robot with a conscience is a far overused story trope, but a major part of this one's success is it's ability to provide a storyline revolving around that trope that doesn't feel tired or too familiar.
07) "Eyewitness" (Batman Beyond episode)
Written by: Hilary J. Bader & Rich Fogel
Synopsis: Terry pleads for innocence after the Comissioner witnesses him murder an opponent in cold blood. On the run from the police, Terry must find the true culprit before he's captured.
And Because?: Over the Edge without the cop-out ending. Barbara's evolution into and story as what seems like possibly a harder comissioner than her father was underused in Batman Beyond, but this was the closest we got to a story revolving around her. It was also nice to see how much Bruce trusts Terry, something that wouldn't have worked as well earlier in the show.
06) "Meltdown" (Batman Beyond episode)
Written by: Hilary J. Bader & Alan Burnett
Synopsis: As a test to see if the same can be done for Derek Powers before his permanent distortion, Victor Fries, a villain of the original Batman's, is given a new body.
And Because?: Mr. Freeze was the center around some of The Animated Series' best stories, bringing us such classics as Heart of Ice and Sub-Zero, and that streak is no different with Batman Beyond. This is probably the best villain redemption story of the lot, and it finishes with a bang, showing us a three-way battle between Batman, Blight, and Mr. Freeze that the series never again really replicated.
05) "The Call Parts 1&2" (Batman Beyond episodes)
Written by: Hilary J. Bader, Rich Fogel, Stan Berkowitz, Alan Burnett, & Paul Dini
Synopsis: Superman arrives to offer Terry a place in the Justice League after suspecting of a traitor among them. As time passes, Batman soon finds an old enemy hiding in the shadows.
And Because?: A fantastic way to introduce the Justice League into Bruce Timm's DCAU, bringing us a group of original characters alongside such well-known greats as Batman and Superman. Having Starro is also a nice nod to both the first ever JLA issue and the STAS story "The Main Man," giving Terry possibly the biggest fight and struggle of his life, and he WINS!
04) "Rebirth Parts 1&2" (Batman Beyond episodes)
Written by: Paul Dini, Alan Burnett, & Stan Berkowitz
Synopsis: Twenty years after the original Batman's retirement, Terry McGinnis learns of his secret the same night Terry's father is murdered by corrupt businessman, Derek Powers.
And Because?: An origin story that many people consider too similar to Spider-Man's, but I particularly find it far superior. Terry's origin is nearly as sad and foreboding as Bruce's, and his first villain is a fascinating parallel to the Joker, given that Terry "creates" him in a similar fashion. The writing is also fantastic, and Bruce's depression following his near-use of a gun shows how he needs Terry just as much as Terry needs him.
03) "Out of the Past" (Batman Beyond episode)
Written by: Paul Dini
Synopsis: Bruce's old girlfriend, Talia al Ghul, arrives to offer him, with use of the Lazarus Pit, eternal youth. Sure he can help Gotham this way, Bruce accepts, but finds not all is as it seems.
And Because?: One of the many successful Batman Beyond episodes featuring characters from ye Batman of old's era, except not only is this one the best, it's also incredibly nasty. With the wonderous-ness-ness of seeing Bruce as his badass, ripped, younger self, we get the disturbing-ness-ness of Ra's taking over his daughter's body, killing her while he's at it. "Lady, that is the sickest thing I've ever heard! You're creeping me out." "You? She kissed me!"
02) Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (feature film)
Written by: Paul Dini, Glen Murakami, & Bruce Timm
Synopsis: When the Joker apparently returns from the dead with a knowledge of the Dark Knight's secret identity, Terry McGinnis must stop him before he finally destroys Gotham City.
And Because?: This shouldn't surprise anyone. Perhaps tied with Batman: Gotham Knight, this is my favorite Batman animated film, perfecting the "new Batman vs classic villain" storyline seen in the show. This one also gets even more disturbing than the entry above, showing us how much of a twisted bastard the Joker really is, as if we didn't know. We also get Tim Drake in a major role, a flashback to the Batman of old, and Mark Hamill back as the J-man! It would be the ultimate nostalgia/reference fest, if not for....
Top 5 Honorable Mentions:
01) "Disappearing Inque" (Batman Beyond episode)
Stuck in her mutated form, Inque seeks to regain her human shape and get revenge on Batman.
02) "Ascension" (Batman Beyond episode)
Nearly reaching the final stages of his transformation into Blight, Powers turns to his son for help.
03) "Splicers" (Batman Beyond episode)
Batman investigates Gotham City's latest trend, the splicing of human DNA with that of animals'.
04) "The Eggbaby" (Batman Beyond episode)
Attempting to pass Family Studies, Terry takes a simulated Eggbaby with him on a mission.
05) "Darwyn Cooke's Batman Beyond" (Batman Beyond short)
Terry must defend Bruce from an army of robotic Batmen who have invaded the Batcave.
01) "Epilogue" (Justice League Unlimited episode)
Written by: Bruce Timm & Dwayne McDuffie
Synopsis: Bitter over the choices and implications his life as Batman he has made and may have to make, an older Terry McGinnis meets a retired Amanda Waller.
And Because?: ...this one. Yes, the best Batman Beyond episode is technically a Justice League episode, but anyone who's ever seen it knows through-and-through it's really the finale to a show which unfairly never got an end. Plus, we get those fantastic scenes with both Terry and Amanda Waller, as well as dozens upon dozens of references to past episodes and films within the show, including appearances from the future Justice League, Andrea Beaumont (aka the Phantasm), the Gray Ghost, and a flashback to the timeline of Justice League Unlimited. No DCAU episode can beat this one, I'm telling you, it's required watching for any Batman/DC/animation fan.
And that's it! The show really went above and beyond anyone's expectations, even crossing over to some of the shwayest DC Animated Universe TV shows airing alongside it. Anyone reading this now should totally check it out. And speaking of you fellas, thanks for reading!
I'm out.
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