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!"
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