The story of Batman has been told in many ways and has been a founding father to the superhero Mount Rushmore. This animated series was one of the reasons why he became so iconic for superhero fans. It showed the man behind The Batman and all his troubles. It was voiced by a voiced actor legend Kevin Conroy who put his life into Batman. In his last moments, everyone will remember him as Batman. This series will always show who The Batman truly is. The man who will do anything to protect the people of Gotham.
Summary
In season 1, the series begins showing how Bruce’s life goes as Batman. He goes to a charity event and talks to a woman, that is until a crime happens and he has to leave early to become Batman. This is usually where we see one of the main super villains or the villain of the day and Batman would defeat them by using skill or a lesson he learned that day. This would be the formula of the episode until the later episodes where we see how some of the villains came to be. Batman gradually stopped seeing the villains as just evil bad guys, but as people would need his help. For example, the two part episodes,”Two Face”where the story regards Bruce’s friend, Harvey Dent, a lawyer that’s trying to be the Mayor of Gotham. Although, Harvey is dealing with The Mob and the other person in his mind.
While he is dealing with that, Bruce and Harvey’s fiance help keep him calm. The Mob has a plan to record what Harvey says at his therapy session. When Harvey gets really angry, an alter ego comes to the surface from the repressed anger in Harvey’s childhood. The Mob finds this out and uses it to blackmail Harvey. This brings out Harvey’s alter ego, causing him to go to a chemical plant. This is where an explosion happens and permanently scars Harvey’s face. This scar splits Harvey’s personalities causing the alter ego to remain surface and name himself Two Face. Two Face would later commit bank robbery and only make his decision on a coin flip.
Batman would later find out Two Face’s plan to kill The Mob. But The Mob figured this out, and made Harvey’s fiance visit with a tracker on her. The Mob found where Two Face was at and attacked him and Harvey’s fiance. Until, Batman shows up and attacks the Mob but lets Two Face get away in the process. Two Face was about to flip a coin if he should kill the boss, but before he did, Batman tipped over a cart full of coins and made Two Face confused. Two Face began to crumble on the ground because he needs to coin to make a decision. Batman locked Two Face up, sad he had to lock his best friend away even though it wasn’t him.
These episodes really show the human side of Batman. This episode and later episodes is where we see that some of Batman villains are just people who need the most help. Well also showing that Batman no matter how hard he tries can’t save everyone.
Season 2 and 3 have the least amount of episodes of the series, but still maintain the narrative and flow of the show. These seasons are where we see the progression of the villains in Gotham. Also, getting to see the new sidekicks, such as Batgirl and a new Robin. We get new villains that Batman has to approach in many different ways. In one episode, Batman had to take down a villain non-violently. The episode is called “Baby Doll”. In this episode, there is an actress named Mary Louise Dahl AKA Baby Doll who is suffering from a condition that prevents her body from growing to adulthood. She kidnaps her TV family, who after the show ended all lives much happier than her. Batman finds out she holds them prisoner on the sound stage of her old TV show. Batman chases her down in a mirror house and tricks her. At this moment, we see that Baby Doll isn’t some villain but a person who just wants to be normal. In the mirror house she shoots a mirror that showed an adult version of her, symbolizing she destroyed everything she wanted. At that moment Batman comforts her as she cries. This episode showed how Batman is not just a vigilante who fights crimes. But a guy who is trying to help the people who need it the most. That is what makes Batman a true superhero.
Final Thoughts
I’m not really a Batman fan, and I have to admit that this was the best Batman ever. It showed how Batman cares for his city and his people. He would sacrifice everything to save the city in a heart beat. He shows different emotions, like humor, sadness, shock, and pride. This show is what really shows what it means to be a superhero even with powers. I rate this show a 9.5/10 for all its great moments. Rest in peace, Kevin Conroy.
