Batman TAS

[Mr. Palmer]

Wow! I only just finished the 1st boxset and it blew me away. The only episode I really didn't care for was the Christmas story with the Joker.

Are the 2nd and 3rd series just as good? And I've heard that the 4th is slightly "different". Is it worth picking up, too?

[Mon-el]

Ironically enough I'm watching Vol 3 right at this moment. I do so love watching Jonah Hex vs Ra's Al Ghul.

This is an easy answer all the box sets are good.

The 4th Box set the animation is cleaner and more crisp. More of my favorite episdoes are from the 4th box set.

[Mr. Palmer]

I do so love watching Jonah Hex vs Ra's Al Ghul.

Which episode is that? Is it a time-travel story?

[Mon-el]

Which episode is that? Is it a time-travel story?

"Showdown" is what the name of the episode is called.

It's not time Travel, it's an episode at the end of Jonah Hex's Career, a somewhat slighty older Jonah Hex. It's more or less an 1800's Episode, Youll find out at the end why the story was told from Ra's Al Ghul view. Ra's Al Ghul explains to Batman why he did what he did.

[DonC]

And I've heard that the 4th is slightly "different". Is it worth picking up, too?


Volume 4 is Batman: Gotham Nights. Basically Batman, the Animated Series moved a couple years forward. All the characters got redesigned looks; Dick Grayson graduated college and became Nightwing; Tim Drake became Robin; Bruce Wayne and Barbara Gordon (it was hinted) became more than just friends.

It was done by all the same people, though. Just a slightly different look.

[Mr. Palmer]

Thanks for the replies! They're much appreciated. :smile:

One thing I've heard about the 4th season is that it handles a creepy Scarecrow episode. Since I'm a big fan of the villain, I can't wait to see that one!

[Batman was taken]

Thanks for the replies! They're much appreciated. :smile:

One thing I've heard about the 4th season is that it handles a creepy Scarecrow episode. Since I'm a big fan of the villain, I can't wait to see that one!

"Over the Edge" is the one I think you're referring too. That may just be my favorite BTAS episode. I wont spoil it for you, but it's really good.

[vazel]

This is the first time you're watching these? You're in for quite the treat. I wouldn't hesitate in buying the other three boxsets at once you will not regret the purchase. The episodes on the 4th boxset from 1997-99 had its art redesigned(check out Gotham's blood red sky) and cleaner animation(although not as fluidly animated as the 1992-95 episodes) and it doesn't concentrate as much on Batman alone(although that trend started with the last 20 episodes of the 1992-95 episodes when Robin got billing in the title).

[Batman Fan 31593]

Wow! I only just finished the 1st boxset and it blew me away. The only episode I really didn't care for was the Christmas story with the Joker.

Are the 2nd and 3rd series just as good? And I've heard that the 4th is slightly "different". Is it worth picking up, too?

I would definitely recommend picking up the 2nd thru 4th volumes.

Also, there were a couple animated movies made at the same time as Batman TAS. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and Batman: Sub Zero. You can't go wrong with these, either. Mask of the Phantasm is a classic.

[Christopher Cross Is God]

I would definitely recommend picking up the 2nd thru 4th volumes.

Also, there were a couple animated movies made at the same time as Batman TAS. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and Batman: Sub Zero. You can't go wrong with these, either. Mask of the Phantasm is a classic.

Correct......Another BTAS film to get is Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

I'd also suggest getting Superman: The Animated Series vol. 3, the full run of Justice League, and the full run of JLU (Justice League was renamed as Justice League Unlimited for the 3rd & 4th seasons).........These are all extended parts of the BTAS universe. Same creators, and it's the same Batman in Justice League, only more experienced.

And if you like all those enough, you could get the season sets of Batman Beyond. I liked it, although some don't seem to care much for it.

[Mr. Palmer]

I really appreciate the recommendations. Thanks! :smile:

I'll probably pick up those 2 movies that go with the series. I doubt I'll branch out to the JLU, though. This could be one expensive habit if I start something new. Ha!

[AlistairCrane]

Don't forget Mystery of the Batwoman!

[Christopher Cross Is God]

Don't forget Mystery of the Batwoman!

I'd like to forget that one, myself.

[Tanjint]

is the world's finest batman/supes team up a crossover double episode or was it also a movie in the style of Mask of the Phantasm?

also DonC...I've seen all the 4th season of BTAS....what do you take as hints that Barbara and Bruce became involved? I didn't really see any. I just got the impression that by the time the season had started she had taken Dick's place as Bruce's second-in-command/right-hand person/protege



-T

[DonC]

Maybe it was in one of the direct-to-video movies (or the comics?), but I distinctly remember hints about Bruce and Barbara. Then in Batman Beyond Bruce and Barbara clearly had some history.

[Jim Thompson]

is the world's finest batman/supes team up a crossover double episode or was it also a movie in the style of Mask of the Phantasm?
-TI have it on DVD as a movie, but I believe it was released originally as a two-part special on the WB.

[vazel]

It was originally indeed a special but then was split up as episodes of Superman(they're in the second boxset).

[Batman Fan 31593]

Maybe it was in one of the direct-to-video movies (or the comics?), but I distinctly remember hints about Bruce and Barbara. Then in Batman Beyond Bruce and Barbara clearly had some history.

The only hints that I can recall (besides Batman Beyond itself) was in the Mystery of the Batwoman movie.

And for Mr. Palmer, Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman was an animated movie done in the style of Vol. 4 of TAS, but it wasn't produced and released until about 4-5 years after TAS ended. In my opinion it was okay at best. It's not bad, but compared to the previous animated movies it wasn't that great.

[Mr. Palmer]

Are the Superman sets worth getting? I've heard some bad reviews for it, and am undecided on whether or not to buy them.

[Batman Fan 31593]

Are the Superman sets worth getting? I've heard some bad reviews for it, and am undecided on whether or not to buy them.

Superman TAS was not quite as good as Batman TAS, in my opinion, but it was still a good show and worth picking up.

Here is a pretty safe recommendation: look at the production credits, and if Bruce Timm was involved, I'd say it's worth picking up. :smile:

(By the way, Bruce Timm was NOT involved in the making of Mystery of the Batwoman :wink: )

[Christopher Cross Is God]

Are the Superman sets worth getting? I've heard some bad reviews for it, and am undecided on whether or not to buy them.

Seasons 1 & 2 had a few good episodes, but, in my opinion, a lot of mediocre episodes surrounding them.

Season 3 was really the only STAS season I liked as a whole. It was a solid precursor to JL/JLU.

[vazel]

Are the Superman sets worth getting? I've heard some bad reviews for it, and am undecided on whether or not to buy them.It's not as good as Batman but still very good. It did have the same dream team of Paul Dini and Bruce Timm after all. Be on the lookout for Detective Dan Turpin who's modeled after Jack Kirby. It had a few guest star episodes with Flash, Dr. Fate, Green Lantern, and of course Batman which were nice treats. I was really disappointed in Supergirl not being featured more and one of her few episodes involving a cult led by a monster was lame. I liked the presence Darkseid had in the series although the last two episodes of the series involving an invasion of Earth led by a brainwashed Superman is controversial.

Each of the Superman boxsets are a steal at the $20 they sell at. You can't go wrong at that price for one of the top western cartoons.

[Tanjint]

so the world's finest batman/supes story is in the second superman season dvd set?

-T

[Mr. Palmer]

I'm going to go out on a limb the very last time and ask how The Batman cartoon is...

[Dr. Ghost]

compared to batman tas, the batman is weak.

there were only 2 or 3 ok episodes in the first season, the second season was ok, the third season is where it starts to get better, although I'm not sure if it continues that way, since I'm still going through it.

[Batman was taken]

I'm going to go out on a limb the very last time and ask how The Batman cartoon is...

The 4th and 5th seasons are the best. Overall, not a bad cartoon. It suffered (online, anyways) from fanboys-saying-it's-not-Batman-TAS syndrome though. I guess just about any Batman cartoon from now on will share the same fate...

[vazel]

I'm going to go out on a limb the very last time and ask how The Batman cartoon is...
It's pretty bad. There are some ok episodes although those are the exception rather than the norm. The stories and characters are very weak. And not as much effort was put into the production; they have generic music that is used for every occasion whereas Batman:TAS had more attention put to the music that greatly helped set the scene. And then there's the issue of wether you like the new takes on the Batman mythos like with Marvel's Ultimate titles.The 4th and 5th seasons are the best. Overall, not a bad cartoon. It suffered (online, anyways) from fanboys-saying-it's-not-Batman-TAS syndrome though. I guess just about any Batman cartoon from now on will share the same fate...Even judged on its own separate from Batman:TAS it's not good. You don't need Batman:TAS to see that The Batman isn't well written.

[Vintage Crime]

The Batman got better with each season. Season 2 had a few good episodes like the Solomon Grundy Halloween episode and the episode where the Joker decides to dress up as Batman and attack Gotham.

Season 3 introduces Barbara Gordon. There's a funny episode where Joker decides that he needs a sidekick. Barbara slowly earns Bruce's respect as the season progresses.

Season 4 introduces Robin and there is more of a family dynamic. My favorite was the Season 4 two-part finale. However, I have to give Paul Dini props for his episode introducing Harley Quinn.

Like others have said The Batman isn't nearly as good as Batman:TAS, but I wouldn't say it was badly written. It aired with children's cartoons so it wasn't deep, but it was enjoyable.

[Metal Spidey]

I hate to repeat what others say but The Batman is a good series and got better after season 1 but Batman TAS is still the better show.

Although on The Batman, I feel that once Robin came into the picture it seemed like Bruce felt that he should open up to Batgirl more so it didn't seem like he was showing favortism towards Robin. Maybe I'm imagining it. :biggrin:

[stealthwise]

BTAS is the best superhero show ever, easily.

I love the 4th collection, as I missed most of those when I was younger.

[Tanjint]

wait...Paul Dini did an episode of The Batman?

-T

[AlistairCrane]

I've got all four volumes, but something doesn't seem right. The episodes don't appear to be in proper order. For example, I think there's a Robin episode that's on one of the discs before the Robin origin episode(s). Am I imagining this, or are the episodes in a random order? I'd prefer to watch them in proper chronological sequence (not from when they first aired, but from where they take place in the story).

[stealthwise]

I've got all four volumes, but something doesn't seem right. The episodes don't appear to be in proper order. For example, I think there's a Robin episode that's on one of the discs before the Robin origin episode(s). Am I imagining this, or are the episodes in a random order? I'd prefer to watch them in proper chronological sequence (not from when they first aired, but from where they take place in the story).

http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/batman/btas/guides/

[AlistairCrane]

http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/batman/btas/guides/

Thank you!

Ugh, why is Robin in the Christmas with the Joker episode even though he doesn't debut until much later? I am going to have to watch that episode after he is introduced then.

[Brack360]

Thank you!

Ugh, why is Robin in the Christmas with the Joker episode even though he doesn't debut until much later? I am going to have to watch that episode after he is introduced then.

The "Robin origin" episodes ("Robin's Reckoning, Parts 1 & 2") tell Robin's origin in flashbacks alongside a present-day story. Chronologically, Dick Grayson became Robin prior to the start of the series and is now in college. Robin is a recurring character who only appears when he is needed for the story; in episodes where he is absent, it can be assumed that he is away at college. The episodes are on the DVD sets in the chronological order that the producers want you to watch them.

[caboose]

Yeah B:TAS is awesome, shame WB don't feel like releasing Volumes 3 & 4 over here in England.

[AlistairCrane]

The "Robin origin" episodes ("Robin's Reckoning, Parts 1 & 2") tell Robin's origin in flashbacks alongside a present-day story. Chronologically, Dick Grayson became Robin prior to the start of the series and is now in college. Robin is a recurring character who only appears when he is needed for the story; in episodes where he is absent, it can be assumed that he is away at college. The episodes are on the DVD sets in the chronological order that the producers want you to watch them.

Ahh, thanks! I haven't seen Robin's Reckoning in YEARS so I didn't remember that it was in flashback. I had no idea Robin was "around" when the series started but at college.

[pariah-1972]

I honestly am not that crazy about the early episodes with the 50s retro look (not that i had a problem with the look really) but when it got rebooted to make it more modern and include the bat family the action and the voice acting seem to be a notch better.

I know this is hearsay and all but they don't really click with me that much anymore.

That said it is probably one of the best comics to cartoons translations ever made.