Phil shares his top five episodes from Bruce Timm’s superb Batman: The Animated Series to celebrate Batman Day.
It’s time to celebrate Batman Day! Every year, we celebrate the Dark Knight’s debut in DC history. This year, I’m taking a look back at Bruce Timm’s character-defining series, Batman: The Animated Series. But which episodes top my list as the best of the best? Join me and explore the best episodes the series has to offer.
If you haven’t guessed by now, I am a Batman superfan. Whether it’s Adam West‘s Caped Crusader, or cinema greats like Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson, or Ben Affleck, I love almost every incarnation of the Dark Knight. However, only one Batman truly holds the title of the best of the best. Only one has ever earned the accolade of being the definitive incarnation of Gotham City’s Caped Crusader…Batman: The Animated Series.
Arriving on our screens during the success of Tim Burton’s dynamic big-screen adventures starring Michael Keaton, Batman: The Animated Series harnessed the tone and scope of the comic books and amalgamated it with the ambiance of Burton’s dark and gritty take on the Caped Crusader. The result was the perfect incarnation of the Dark Knight ever put on screen. It has never been bettered. It has never been rivaled.
Attempting to narrow down my favorite episodes to just five has been a daunting task. Despite omitting several of the best episodes ever made, I think I have my final five. Please note that this list is fluid and subject to change depending on my mood. Yet, as the adage says, form is temporary…class is permanent.
5. Fear Of Victory (Director: Dick Sebast) Season 1 | Episode #24
For me, one of the most underrated villains in the DC Universe is the Scarecrow. Professor Jonathan Crane has made a habit of plaguing Gotham City with his lethal fear toxin. In this episode, Dick Grayson/Robin is struck down by its side effects. Featuring some of the most breathtaking visuals of the series, Robin succumbs to the hallucinogenic properties of the gas whilst thwarting a burglary with Batman. What follows is an episode in which Robin tries to overcome his fear. He must help the Dark Knight save Gotham from Scarecrow’s insidious plan.
4. Heart Of Ice (Director: Bruce W. Timm) Season 1 | Episode #14
The tragedy of Victor Fries can never be understated. After his tragic accident, Fries adopts the moniker of Mr. Freeze. He sets out on a quest for revenge against the parties responsible for his tragic and life-changing affliction. Serving as the first encounter between Batman and Mr. Freeze, this episode has it all. The Batmobile succumbs to Ice. Our beloved Dark Knight fights through the symptoms of a cold and uncovers the terrible truth behind Fries’ fall from grace. Nothing stands in the way of this action-packed episode.
3. Nothing to Fear (Director: Boyd Kirkland) Season 1 | Episode #3
Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow makes his second appearance on my list in this epic first encounter between this foe and the Dark Knight. Whilst foiling an arson attack on Gotham University, Batman is infected by Scarecrow’s fear toxin. He fails to prevent the attack, and Bruce Wayne begins to hallucinate illusions of his dead parents who repeatedly chastise him for disgracing their memory. They accuse him of failing to uphold the family name. Despite suffering from these debilitating symptoms, the Dark Knight battles onward and channels the darkness within him. He defeats the fear toxin and apprehends the Scarecrow. All the while giving Crane a taste of his own medicine. This fantastic episode saw the birth of the iconic phrase “I am vengeance, I am the night…I AM BATMAN!”
2. The Laughing Fish (Director: Bruce W. Timm) Season 1 | Episode #34
At long last, Mark Hamill‘s iconic incarnation of The Joker makes his debut on my list. I found it hard to omit many of his wonderful episodes from my top five. Notable mentions go out to “Christmas With the Joker”, “Joker’s Favor”, “Joker’s Wild”, and “The Last Laugh”, which narrowly missed out on making the final five. However, it’s “The Laughing Fish” that emerges victorious.
Where do I begin with this INCREDIBLE episode? This one has it all. The Joker has polluted Gotham’s waterways with his toxin. Every fish caught is emerging with The Joker’s sadistic grin. He schemes to copyright every fish that shares his insane smile. But when the copyright officials refuse to submit to his demands, he launches an attack. It leaves his victims grinning with insanity.
Enter the Dark Knight. With Batman on the case, The Joker and his beloved sidekick Harley Quinn capture Harvey Bullock and use him as bait in a trap to ensnare a bigger prize—the Caped Crusader himself. As always, Batman is one step ahead of his adversary. After getting tossed into a fish tank and having a showdown with a killer shark, the Dark Knight manages to break free and gears up to take down the Joker. As I said, this episode has it all!
1. On Leather Wings (Director: Kevin Altieri) Season 1 | Episode #1
My most adored villain from the entire DC Universe makes its presence known in the inaugural episode of this glorious series. Dr. Kirk Langstrom has developed a formula that, once ingested, transforms him into The Man-Bat, a human/bat hybrid capable of flight and ferocious brute strength.
Harnessing the classic narratives of Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Langstrom’s alter ego becomes far too powerful for him to control. The beast within determines which chemicals are required to bring itself about. It sets out to steal the components in the dead of night. With the chemical thefts attracting the attention of the Gotham Police and eyewitness reports pointing to a giant bat, the Dark Knight finds himself a wanted man and sets out to uncover the truth. However, what he finds is far more terrifying. Soon, he must outsmart the monstrous bat creature and free Langstrom before it’s too late.
This episode is sheer brilliance. And it optimized everything Bruce Timm and his excellent team were creating at Warner Bros Animation. It set the tone for everything that followed and was instrumental in capturing the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. Myself included.
Final Thoughts:
The significance of Batman: The Animated Series cannot be overstated.Featuring the impressive voice talents of Mark Hamill, John Glover, Ron Perlman, Roddy McDowall, David Warner, Kate Mulgrew, Loren Lester, Bob Hastings, Melissa Gilbert, Robert Costanza, Arleen Sorkin, Paul Williams, Adrienne Barbeau, and the legendary Kevin Conroy, Batman: The Animated Series assembled one of the finest voice casts in animation history. Kevin Conroy has been immortalized as the definitive Batman. Mark Hamill holds the title of the definitive Joker – and the series was the birthplace of Harley Quinn.
For me, there is only one definitive Batman. Despite my love for Adam West’s fun Caped Crusader, Batman: The Animated Series holds a special place in my heart. And long may it reign!
Happy Batman Day!
Do you have a favorite episode from the series? Drop a comment in the chat below.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
