Batman TAS Question

[Spitfire]

I got the Volume 1 set of the Batman TAS series and I'm watching the first episode. Well it doesn't feel very first at all it feels like I'm in the middle of the series. Anyways I looked up an episode guide online and checked the chapters on my DVD and noticed their both totally different.

So are these episodes all out of order? What's the deal? Were they aired out of order and this is how they were intended to be viewed?

EDIT: Alright now I KNOW this is out of order because the next episode had Robin in it and I clearly remember there being one where he finds Robin before hes in the series. Any clue as to why they put them on a set out of order? The Batman Beyond sets were all in order.

[ZariusTwo]

Yeah, all those episodes? There actually in production order, not episode order.

[Spitfire]

Damn, why would they bother releasing an out of order set, that's just stupid. Hope it doesn't mess up any story elements for me. I plan on getting the whole series. Then again I guess if I watch it all it will all make sense.

I watched the 2K3 TMNT out of order and I faired just fine.

[Raven]

If I remember right the episode were man bat appears is the first one.

[Spitfire]

That was the first on the DVD too. So far the episodes seems to be fine, the only Robin one was that Christmas episode. Honestly I didn't like the Robin episodes as much. Batman is more bad ass alone.

[Shark]

From what I remember, the episode "To be a Clown" was the first episode to air that included the Joker, but that DVD set if I read correctly, "Joker's Favor' is the first Joker episode to air. Kinda sucks being out of order. I remember the Scarecrow episode being the first to air, but then again, I think I missed the debute episode, so Scarecrow may of been the 2nd episode to air.

[LogicDonny]

wait what was the first episode on the dvd? leather wing?

[Spitfire]

Out of order or not this show is nothing short of amazing. The story lines are so dark and depressing. I love it. How was this a children's show? The Two Face episode is great, good example of a dark episode. And "It's Never Too Late" Amazing as well

I remember alot of these episodes so far. I watched these the most as a kid. I think most of the 2nd volume I probably saw to. But Around when WB took the show over I stopped watching it. I didn't like the little kid Robin. But after seeing Batman Beyond. I'm getting them all.

[Shark]

Out of order or not this show is nothing short of amazing. The story lines are so dark and depressing. I love it. How was this a children's show? The Two Face episode is great, good example of a dark episode. And "It's Never Too Late" Amazing as well

I remember alot of these episodes so far. I watched these the most as a kid. I think most of the 2nd volume I probably saw to. But Around when WB took the show over I stopped watching it. I didn't like the little kid Robin. But after seeing Batman Beyond. I'm getting them all.

I was like that too. I hated Tim Drake (although Teen Titans made me like him), and I hated all the new character designs (especially Joker and Batman. Scarecrow had a whicked cool design though).

[Jon]

Yes, this was (and still is) quite a series. I already have all 4 DVD Sets of it. Though haven't watched many from the Sets yet, since had seen most (if not all) back in the day. But likely get around to watching more of them in time.

Another classic would be "Heart of Ice", Mr. Freeze's first ep., a real 'chilling' (yes, pun intended) episode.

The Kids WB era (which is all on Vol. 4) had some good episodes, too.

[Spitfire]

I'm watching "Heart Of Ice" Right now actually. Very dark episode. Man I wish TV shows were this good now of days. Even live action ones can't really compete with this.

I love how all of his villains*For the most part* are just tortured men who really aren't bad people they were just driven to evil with the way the world has treated them. And some aren't evil by will either.

[Ra]

I hear ya Spit. Stuff like "Camp Lazlo" and "My Gym Partner is a Monkey" isn't exactly good quality material. :dead:

Back to Batman. I just love the animated series and how they pushed the barrier of a "kid's show". The psycological issues I especially love. But what must be my favorite episode so far is actually in the spin off series, The New Batman Adventures, with "Mad Love". It explained why Harley was so madly in love with the Joker, and how she came to be. I personally just love how she just broke down and joined up with him in the end.

It's a shame that the new series isn't pushing it as much now, possibly in fear of the soccar moms storming the studio with protests of trauma and terror for their kids. Or targeting at a younger audience. You can never tell these days *shrugs*

[Shark]

The Batman was a nice attempt at makeing new origens for villians, but it failed badly in mostly all aspects. Joker can never be as good as Mark Hamill. Batman himself sucks. And on top of that, I can only watch this series on CN, which took 2 years to even begin showing Season 2, and cut it off Toonami, and replaced it with Teen Titans re-runs right after the episode where Clayface showed up in Season 2...damn WB for not airing in my town...

[ZariusTwo]

The Batman's versions of Clayface and The Riddler are awesome. Seasons Two and Four are the best of the series, and it's already elevated itself above standard children's levels. Episodes like "Strange New World" and "Seconds" go places Over The Edge only went in a dream state. "Seconds" goes ahead and deals with everything in the real world and then restarts the events after wowing the audience.

[DrSpengler]

Well, to be honest, the production order is actually more coherent than the airdate order (which had two-parters broken up with stand-alone episodes in-between and crap like that).

The only real glaring anomoly in the production order is "Christmas with the Joker". Barring that, the episodes are all in perfect continuity order (no villains appearing before their origins, the Ra's Al Ghul arc remains in perfect sequence, etc).


The New Batman Adventures is a little weird, once you get to it. THe series premiered with a holiday episode that doesn't take place until later in the season. It features Calyface (before he was reformed by chemical waste) as well as Tim Drake before his origin episode.

But that's the only bit of weirdness in the TNBA set, aside from needing the Superman TAS season 2 set to compliment it, since the continuity of the two shows was rather intertwined.

[Spitfire]

Makes sense so far yes, but the 2 Robin episodes being in there seemed stupid to me. There's only 2 the whole DVD. I just don't get the point of that.

[Time Mistress]

I love Batman TAS. It's a masterpiece of a series. Superman TAS, Batman Beyond, The Zeta Project, and Justice League continue the tradition of excellence too. I recomend all of them. I would think Zeta Project will start on DVD after the last season of Beyond comes out. A lot of series are put on DVD in production order. But TAS is pretty stand alone, don't forget to watch the movies too - Mask of the Phantasm, Subzero, World's Finest, and Mystery of the Batwoman too. Revenge of the Joker is a must see too.

I like what I've seen of The Batman so far. It's a good show. I enjoyed the Ridder/Dectective Yin , Batgirl intro, and Robin's past episodes most recently. One of these days I'm going to have to rent the whole seasons. I keep missing them on Sat. due to recording TMNT. I still prefer Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamil's voice acting though.

[Spawn Guy]

Rino Romano will always be Spider-Man to me. I'll admit I was all "WTF!?" along withe evryone else when it was announced, but he's been pretty good. And since the point of the series was a younger Batman...at least we didn't get somebody who just put on a rasp and called it a day.

I just associate Conroy with BTAS too much to imagine him in the comics. Since buying JLHeros, I keep hearing Ron Pearlman's voice whenever I read the comics. Conroy gets the Year One and other early years stuff though. Most sevintes stuff to.

[DrSpengler]

Yeah, like the dude said, be sure to watch "SubZero" BEFORE you watch The New Batman Adventures. If you don't, the Mr. Freeze episode will leave you all "WTF?"


And Rino Ramano's Batman isn't so bad. People keep saying he has a Spanish accent, but I don't hear it.

Now, the voice over that's REALLY awesome is Kevin Michael Richardson's Joker. Yeah yeah, I love Mark Hamill, he's still the best and blah blah blah.

But KMR is awesome, too. I remember when I first heard he was the Joker I was completely skeptical. KMR is best known for having a comically deep voice and usually playing "Barry White" characters. I thought he was going to be awful. Then I watched The Batman vs. Dracula and got to hear the man's range; it's incredible. He did a really good job with the character.

[Spitfire]

I saw the Batman Beyond episode of JLA. DL'd the whole damn series just to see it. Took forever but yeah.

I can't say it wasn't worth it because I HAD to know what happened but honestly I would have preferred they brought Beyond back...Terry's origin wasn't stupid. It made more sense then It thought it would and didn't leave any stupid plot holes.

I loved the references to Batman TAS. Like the chick from Mask Of The Phantasm, The Grey Ghost movie, and at the end when they do the airplane scene from the very first episode of Batman. Classic.

[Spawn Guy]

Now, the voice over that's REALLY awesome is Kevin Michael Richardson's Joker. Yeah yeah, I love Mark Hamill, he's still the best and blah blah blah.

But KMR is awesome, too. I remember when I first heard he was the Joker I was completely skeptical. KMR is best known for having a comically deep voice and usually playing "Barry White" characters. I thought he was going to be awful. Then I watched The Batman vs. Dracula and got to hear the man's range; it's incredible. He did a really good job with the character.

Yeah, he's at his best in the Strange Minds episode.

http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/thebatman/episodes/23strangeminds/01head.mp3
http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/thebatman/episodes/23strangeminds/03out.mp3
And of course, one of Romano's best performances as the dark knight... (http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/thebatman/episodes/23strangeminds/04mind.mp3)

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

That was the first on the DVD too. So far the episodes seems to be fine, the only Robin one was that Christmas episode. Honestly I didn't like the Robin episodes as much. Batman is more bad ass alone.

Robin's Reckoning was a very awesome Robin episode. IIRC it was nominated for an Emmy. In my opinion that episode shows that in the right hands Robin can be an awesome character. In the wrong hands, we get Batman and Robin and Batman Forever (Forever wasn't god-awful but had plenty of room for improvement).

If I had to list my top five:
1)Two-Face
2)Heart of Ice
3)Robin's Reckoning
4)Feat of Clay
5)I am the Night

[Spitfire]

That last season was not on par with the rest of the series. It had some good episodes but the completely un-necessary character re-designs and some of the worst episodes in the series make it look like crap compared to the rest of the show.

I still like it don't get me wrong but the series finial wasn't very finial feeling, Two-Face Batman's last villain? Please. Also they used Penguin*Who I never liked much anyways*,Joker, and Poison Ivy a billion times and we see Bane once, in a dream, and Mr. Freeze only once too. Plus Scarecrow*Who was one of the re-designs I enjoyed* wasn't use that much either. Riddler was in it for 2 scenes.

But make way for Batman's new villains! The Creeper -_- That guy was so annoying, and creating a villain before the last episode should be against some rule. Don't get me started on Roxy Rocket I hated her the most.

The Super-man series Batman/Super-man crossover was good. "Girl's Night Out" was one of the worst episodes of the series, Livewire was so annoying. So was the horrid Holiday Special where Bruce is kidnapped and forced to buy clothes for Harley and Ivy. Also why the hell were there 3 animal based episodes in a row? Stupid, Batman VS giant farm animals! Now a giant cat! Batman Vs Bears! Stupid...

But that aside I loved some of them, "Legends of the Dark Knight" was a kick ass episode. For one I was happy to see they re-used Firefly cause I liked that villain and then the stories were cool. The 50's got annoying but the 80's story was awesome. That had to be what Frank Miller had to do with the episode. "Never Fear" was great to, watching Batman go psycho. I also loved "Over The Edge" total Batman manhunt cool stuff. Nightwing was cool to see in action in the episodes he was in. There was a lot of blood in it and plenty of bullets, ahh I miss bullets.

Now I just need to get volume 3*Which I ordered* and I'll have the whole series.

[Spawn Guy]

Behold...The Batman vs something out of Evangelion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOYOTklc8BU)
I mean, Rino Romano vs Ron Perlman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poqm72Oxe9o)
I mean, The Batman Season 4: Episode 11: Rumors (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHRdUeE_47g)

[Spitfire]

O_O What did they do to Kill Croc! His voice is so lame.

[Spawn Guy]

Yeah, that's Perlman trying to sound like a Cajun, while Matsuda ripped off Jim Lee's Crock design from Hush.

[DrSpengler]

I didn't mind what they did to Killer Croc so much, truthfully. I have a low tolerance for villains that are borderline retarded, intellect-wise. Making him smarter was a welcomed change.

And I liked Jim Lee's Killer Croc design, so that didn't bug me either.

[Spawn Guy]

I think this is the first time they've used the old "Crazy vigilante who tries to kill the criminals while Batmans tries to stop him" idea in this series. But it's pretty cool how they got into one big villian fight. And that whole Penguin scene is gold.

[Shark]

I must of missed what you guys are talking about. Arey ou saying Croc turned into a vigilante?

[Spawn Guy]

Sweet Christ no. Watch the episode. You know, the three YouTube links I posted?

[Spitfire]

That shows to kiddy, seriously they don't make any dark cartoons anymore. TMNT tried but they canned it. It's either make due with the crap we get now or accept 2-D animation as a dead art

[Shark]

Sweet Christ no. Watch the episode. You know, the three YouTube links I posted?

I couldn't tell those were youtube links. I usually don't go around clikcing random links unless there was an explaination. Behold and I mean and I mean weren'r much to go on.

[Spawn Guy]

They didn't pique your curiosity?

That shows to kiddy, seriously they don't make any dark cartoons anymore. TMNT tried but they canned it. It's either make due with the crap we get now or accept 2-D animation as a dead art

I'll admit the first and third seasons suked, but it's not that bad. It's as Batmanish as it can be in that enviroment. You know, the age group that isn't eighteen and above?

[ZariusTwo]

Shark's simply someone far too disgruntled and biased to give anything that's not Batman: TAS a chance. His line about "no dark cartoons anymore" is also certified bulls*it, Teen Titans and SRMTHFG are as dark as they come when there not using the anime style for comedic effect.

[Jon]

Shark's simply someone far too disgruntled and biased to give anything that's not Batman: TAS a chance. His line about "no dark cartoons anymore" is also certified bulls*it, Teen Titans and SRMTHFG are as dark as they come when there not using the anime style for comedic effect.


Got that right! I mean really: look at TT's "Birthmark", or any of TT and SRMTHFG's Season-Finales -- just for starters.

[Spawn Guy]

Praise this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvvwoJH6XjY)
Now. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gke3QSN_jE0)
Seriously, I couldn't give less of a crap about the Riddiler, and this makes me love him. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj3PNop8iSo)

[ZariusTwo]

Shark's pathological fear of weblinks is'nt going to help you there Spawn:)

But yes, to prove him wrong yet again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNFddqFZ3Ic

Death. And lots of it.

[Spawn Guy]

So should we not post any and all clips of The Batman vs Dracula? With all the action, blood, and the best Joker design in history?

Darn.

[Anarchistguy]

Now for a rarity: The Batman TAS Pilot with its ORIGINAL audio track:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9Ed18tf0G8

[Shark]

Shark's simply someone far too disgruntled and biased to give anything that's not Batman: TAS a chance. His line about "no dark cartoons anymore" is also certified bulls*it, Teen Titans and SRMTHFG are as dark as they come when there not using the anime style for comedic effect.

Either I forgot something that I posted, or your just makeing up crap completely. And I never said 'no dark cartoons anymore', unless I was being sarcastic.

TT is especially dark, mainly the first, late 2nd, and forth seasons.

[Spike Spiegel]

Wtf is SRMTFHG?

[Jon]

Wtf is SRMTFHG?


Super Robot Monkey Team Hyper Force Go! A cartoon on Toon Disney's Jetix block.

[Spawn Guy]

Damn it, I wanted to do that! I was going to post the lyrics and everything.

[The Terror of Death]

Did you guys really think season two of the The Batman was good? I liked meltdown and the two riddler episodes but everything else felt like they were one level above season one. :ohwell:

[ZariusTwo]

Season Two was far superior to the first, characters and set peices just got bigger and better. There were some stinkers, but no major flaws like the first

And you honestly did'nt like "Strange Minds?", Christ...

[Spawn Guy]

I think season one was as mediocre as it was because it was an intro season; can't exactly do anything new when we've been introduced to these characters a million times over. Once they established the basics they just got moving.

I seriously don't get people's problem with the Joker design. Yeah, I know the weird straight jaket outfit stunk, but he ditches it for that purple dinner jacket. Standard Joker has the purple suit and the classic playing card design, but TB Joker looks like an even more twisted version of a clown, like something out of a Stephen King novel. Frankly that's a pretty imaginative visual step when they could have easily gone for 'pale guy in a purple tux'. They play him like a more open version of a monster, and Kevin Michale Richardson was a great choice for that kind of portrayal. 'Strange Minds' is pure proof of that.

[Spike Spiegel]

You're right Zarius. Super Robot Monkey Team and Teen Titans(especially "The End") were very dark shows at times. I just wish that the final ep of TT didn't have to be so stupid.

[DrSpengler]

I seriously don't get people's problem with the Joker design. Yeah, I know the weird straight jaket outfit stunk, but he ditches it for that purple dinner jacket. Standard Joker has the purple suit and the classic playing card design, but TB Joker looks like an even more twisted version of a clown, like something out of a Stephen King novel. Frankly that's a pretty imaginative visual step when they could have easily gone for 'pale guy in a purple tux'. They play him like a more open version of a monster, and Kevin Michale Richardson was a great choice for that kind of portrayal. 'Strange Minds' is pure proof of that.

Yeah, once they ditched the straight jacket get-up I found myself liking Joker's look. It reminded me quite a bit of the Boogieman from the Real Ghostbusters, which was a design I always liked.

[ZariusTwo]

You're right Zarius. Super Robot Monkey Team and Teen Titans(especially "The End") were very dark shows at times. I just wish that the final ep of TT didn't have to be so stupid.

That entire fifth season was a mistake that never was meant to happen. A blatant JLU fifth season clone to fill up the renewed episode numbers. Slack had long left, everything had been wrapped up, and then they tried to be "clever" and make an anime style finale that left everyone feeling down. "The End" was MUCH darker, but at least ended with the Titans overcoming evil

[Shark]

That entire fifth season was a mistake that never was meant to happen. A blatant JLU fifth season clone to fill up the renewed episode numbers. Slack had long left, everything had been wrapped up, and then they tried to be "clever" and make an anime style finale that left everyone feeling down. "The End" was MUCH darker, but at least ended with the Titans overcoming evil

I agree with you on alot of things...and this is no different. The worse season ever. Not just because it starred Beast Boy (my most hated character), but it was just terrible. Starred BEAST BOY, focused entirely on Beast Boy (seriously, you'd think the final season would focus on either Robin, or the whole damn team, not just the worse member), lacked Slade (although that wasn't much of a big deal), terrible villians, the only good scene that I remember, was shortly after they beat Brain, the five Titans went to stop another bad guy, and I believe Raven said something along the lines of this bad guy is going to be freaked this time, as he showed the rest of the new TT's. That was a good ending to go out on. But no, they stick us with yet ANOTHER Beast Boy episode as a final, with nothing really going on. An impossible villian that is never defeated, and Slade's only apparence being a sad pathetic one.

I think I summed Season 5 up. Anyone else want to take a stab at it?

[DrSpengler]

Season 5 was a major downgrade.

I agree with you on Beast Boy; my least favorite character. If there was any justice, that season should have focused on Starfire, who got the least amount of character developement or attention throughout the show. Oh wait, there's always "Trouble in Tokyo" where her character depth culminated in "I LOVE ROBIN TEE HEE!"

Season 5's "Titans Unlimited" arc entertained me if only because it gave us a lot of Titans we'd never have seen otherwise, even if some of them got butchered (poor Jericho). And hell, Ding Dong Daddy...it doesn't get mroe obscure than that.

I *did* like the way they handled the Doom Patrol, though. And that's about the extent of my praise for season 5.

And I will agree with everyone that the final episode was utter bull****. When I heard they were making a TV movie I was like "Phew! They're gonna tie up those awful loose ends". And then I watched the movie. HA!

[Shark]

At least the movie had a good ending to go out on, with the classic, Raven smacks Beast Boy simply because we all hate him XD

[Ra]

... *is one of the only people that likes Beast Boy* ... :cry:

[Shark]

*Hates Ra now for it and removes her from his Friends List*







(Just kidding ^^)

[Ra]

Heheh ^^;

Seriously, I love Beast Boy, but then again I love shape shifters. And animals. And the color green. How can I not like him?

But it sounds like he was over-used in season five. I always thought that each season would focus on a different titan; Robin in season 1, Beast Boy in season 2, Raven in season 3... *sighs* Why can't I see my season 5 episodes now? *slumps and goes back to her YouTubing*

[Spitfire]

On the subject a few more days before Batman Beyond season 3 comes out. Then my Batman animated collection will be complete.

I watched the Justice League episodes with Terry in them. The 2 parter was interesting. I liked how that one cowboy from the Batman TAS was in the first part*The bounty hunter* I always liked that about the DC shows that they tied them in together.

[The Terror of Death]

And you honestly did'nt like "Strange Minds?", Christ...

I was actually going to include that episode but my hate for the Joker runs too deep to allow me do it.

[ZariusTwo]

I actually like Beast Boy, his comical side was a nice contrast, and his relationship with Raven was probably the best developed in the series. Starfire and Robin were just a little too obvious as a couple, and some of their best comic storylines were poorly adapted (like "Betrhoned") or not even remotley touched on. With BB and Raven, it was a clean slate, and it really worked. If BB had more storylines like "Nevermore" and "The End" instead of "Homecoming", he'd be regarded as a better character than the goofball he was when these episodes did'nt come up

Heck ,the couple became so popular, Geoff Jones made it canon

[Spawn Guy]

I was actually going to include that episode but my hate for the Joker runs too deep to allow me do it.

Becasue he dosen't wear shoes?

[DrSpengler]

I watched the Justice League episodes with Terry in them. The 2 parter was interesting. I liked how that one cowboy from the Batman TAS was in the first part*The bounty hunter* I always liked that about the DC shows that they tied them in together.

Yeah, the guest appearance from Jonah Hex in "Once and Future Thing" was a nice treat.

I've never been a big fan of the DC Western characters, or even the Marvel Western characters (save for Ghost/Night/Phantom Rider).

Jonah Hex is an exception, though, thanks mostly to his portrayal in the DCAU.