Batman: The Animated Series – Top 10 Episodes – Part 2
This post is a continuation of The Film Avenger’s nostalgic look back at this landmark animated Batman series from the 90’s.
Read Part 1 looking at episodes 6-10 in the Top 10
5. “The Mechanic”
Written by Randy Rogel
Based on a story by Steve Perry and Lauren Bright
Directed by Kevin Altieri
This episode answered one of the questions I always had about Batman when I was a kid: where does he go when the Batmobile needs a tune-up? Earl Cooper is Batman’s personal mechanic, and not only designed the Batmobile, but keeps it in tip-top shape. In the story, Cooper is threatened by the Penguin, and his loyalty to Batman is put to the test.
Another reason I love this episode is its attention to the Batmobile itself. Drawing heavily from the Batmobile from Batman (1989), The Animated Series is my favorite incarnation of this iconic car (the Tumbler from Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy. Its sleek design is both futuristic and retro, blending in with the aesthetic of the series itself.
4. “Heart of Ice”
Written by Paul Dini
Directed by Bruce Timm
In this, his first appearance in The Animated Series, a freak accident transformed Dr. Victor Fries into a frozen, emotionless monster. Now Batman must stop him before he enacts his plan of revenge on a corrupt businessman Freeze holds responsible for the supposed death of his wife.
This episode made Mr. Freeze one of my favorite Batman villains. He never appealed to me in any other form, especially the horrible 1960s TV series. Paul Dini and Bruce Timm gave him a thoughtful backstory and elevated him to being a more complex and tragic character. Freeze was now a grieving husband, masking his pain in a (sometimes literal) wall of ice. Michael Ansara delivers a great performance as Freeze, conveying his almost robotic demeanor and buried emotion.
3. “Two-Face”
Written by Randy Rogel
Based on a story by Alan Burnett
Directed by Kevin Altieri
The Animated Series gave more dramatic life to some of Batman’s more notorious enemies. This is no more true than for Two-Face. In some ways, this tale of Harvey Dent’s descent into madness is the darkest episode of the series (technically two episodes, but one story).
Richard Moll is so good here as the voice of Harvey Dent / Two-Face. While most TV fans know him as Bull Shannon from the sitcom Night Court, Moll delivers such a dramatic performance. His distinct voices are excellent. It’s almost scary at times, as in the intense scene with the psychiatrist. But where this story gets most of its dramatic weight is from the relationship between Harvey Dent and Bruce Wayne. Despite his transformation into a monster, Bruce still hasn’t given up on his good friend and tries very hard to redeem Harvey.
2. “Beware the Gray Ghost”
Written by Garin Wolf and Tom Ruegger
Based on a story by Dennis O’Flaherty and Tom Ruegger
Directed by Boyd Kirkland
This is one of the most meta episodes of The Animated Series. Batman helps his childhood TV hero stop a madman whose crimes duplicate an episode of that show. What makes this such a charming story is that the voice of Simon Trent / the Gray Ghost is none other than Adam West – the actor who portrayed Batman in the 1960s TV series.
The show’s core theme is about the impact of entertainment on our lives, even something as trivial as a TV character. Fame is also explored, with Trent resentful of his Gray Ghost persona – seeing it as a hindrance in getting more meaty roles in his faded career (ironically, much in the same way as former Batman Michael Keaton’s character in the Oscar-winning Birdman). It also shows the dark side of fandom, personified by The Mad Bomber (who is voiced by Bruce Timm, in another meta touch).
1.”The Laughing Fish”
Written by Paul Dini
Based on the Batman comic story by Denny O’Neil and Steve Englehart
Directed by Bruce Timm
My favorite episode of Batman: The Animated Series is based on an actual story from the Batman comics. The Joker seeks to go “legitimate” by making money on fish that sport his infamous grin – made possible from a toxin he put in the water. When the copyright office refuses to give him what he wants, the Joker targets the paper-pushers until he gets his way.
The brilliance of “The Laughing Fish” is really in its mastery of mood. Bruce Timm gave this episode a wonderful noir feel, coupled with a Hitchcock-inspired visual irony. This is a very grim, at times unsettling, story – and the preponderance of smiles (be it from the fish or the Joker’s victims) is ironic because smiles are usually pleasant things. The music adds to the Hitchcockian theme, as there are many melodic send-ups to the classic Bernard Herrmann scores from Psycho and other Herrmann/Hitch collaborations. Vocally, this is probably Mark Hamill’s best episode as the Joker. His laughs are absolutely terrifying.
Batman: The Animated Series was a show ahead of its time. It proved that television aimed at younger audiences could deal with mature themes and appeal to both children and adults. It’s a concept that I feel has been largely lost on today’s kids’ programming.
If you haven’t seen The Animated Series, I emphatically suggest you find it either on DVD or streaming on Amazon Prime and watch some quality animated storytelling. If you have seen the show, what do you think of my list? Were there other episodes you think should have been on here?
