Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Second Chance

Despite a fairly unnecessary appearance by Penguin in which he proves far too formidable, this episode builds to a superb twist and proves to be yet another excellent outing for Two-Face. For the record, the dude has issues. Not sure how Batman made a coin that always landed on its side, but if such a thing were possible, it would be a good way to mess with Two-Face’s mind. Well played Bats.

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Episode Count: 0599
Series Count: (65 of 81)

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Batman Villain Tiptoes

No, these aren't shows, but these gifs of Bat-foes tip toeing are mighty mesmerizing.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Wrong Umbrella

Oh that Penguin and his trick umbrellas - always a hoot.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Blind as a Bat

Two Penguins in a row! What have I done to deserve this? The only redeeming thing here is that Batman had to be blinded before the Penguin was an actual challenge. To be completely fair, this wasn't actually terrible - which is high praise from me considering.  

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Birds of a Feather

 

If I didn't hate the Penguin, maybe I would have felt sorry for him. But the truth is this was a pretty stupid episode about some snobby richies pretending to like the Penguin so they could make fun of him. What was the point?

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Mechanic

I remember really hating this episode, which is probably somewhat Penguin related, but it wasn't actually that bad. Granted, Batman's mechanic was an idiot. "I'll take one Batmobile fender please... whats that? why would I know Batman? Doesn't everyone have a Batmobile?" I suppose it would make sense for Batman to have a mechanic, and at least they learned their lesson about ordering parts in a more discreet manor.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Almost Got 'Em

This is one of those "classics" that really does deserve its good reputation. The unconventional device of vignettes told by villains over a poker game was a great hook with a great Croc-centric twist. Overall, the Joker tale with Catwoman was the best and I enjoyed her "almost got 'im" line quite a bit.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Dreams in Darkness

Aha, and here it is. While the Scarecrow's previous appearances had been good, he hadn't quite hit it out of the park yet. Problem solved. Despite his limited screen time, this was the pinnacle for the animated series' Scarecrow. From the very beginning twist of Batman being committed to Arkham, this was a fun, mind-bending ride as we got to watch Batman lose the ability to separate reality from fantasy. 

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne

 

Ah Hugo. Hugo Strange was one of the Detectives very first villains dating back to his 1940 debut, but it was over 50 years before his first appearance on screen. Better late than never, but its too bad that after such a wait, this is how Hugo made his debut - looking like a dolt. 

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Dark Knight Court

Not only did Dark Knight Court cleverly play on the title of one of Batman's best known nicknames, but the episode dished out homages to a number of superheroes who eventually formed the elderly team of Dependables. I will admit, the mash up of Marvel and DC characters onto a single team does make the purist in me a little unconformable, but the parody was still pretty memorable. 

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - I've Got Batman in My Basement

This episode has the notoriety of being labeled the worst episode of the series. Is that a fair accusation? I would say its mostly true, though unfortunately there are a couple of other contenders. Even though Batman: The Animated Series hit a lot of home runs, it also had a few strike outs. And what better villain to strike out first than the fine feathered fiend, the Penguin.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Case of the Stolen Powers

Oh great, the Penguin. I was considerably less happy to see this fellow making his Super Friends debut than I was to see the Joker. The series would have been just fine with no Pengy-Poo. At least Penguin's one appearance would be in a half length episode and at least Felix Faust was also around for his first official onscreen appearance (aside from the cameo in The Wild Cards). It was funny that even Faust couldn't stand the Penguin... and for good reason. Even a super power Penguin is lame.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Tales of Metropolis: Lois

 Although I had high hopes, and still do, for the Take of Metropolis shorts, this one fell a little flat. To start with, why focus on Batman? If you wanted to do that, why not call it Tales of Gotham since that's where it was set? I don't think  Lois-centric short is a bad idea, but I juts didn't feel that this served her character well. Hopefully a Lex, Metallo, or Jimmy Olsen themed short do better service to the world of Superman. 

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Batman at Zellers

Low prices were the law at the Canadian department store Zellers in the late 80's. A series of four animated advertisements were made for the store featuring an uber-exagerated Batman and the "nabbed four" most famous of his rouges (thanks to Batman '66): Joker, Penguin, Catwoman, and Riddler. These are some of my favorite of the animated commercials that have been made over the years thanks to the high energy combined with classic designs. All four are a lot of fun though I would have to say the Catwoman is probably my favorite owing to her purple outfit and green cape. Stylish!

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Return of Batduck

 

In 1992, The Plucky Duck Show was imagined as a spin-off of Tiny Toon Adventures, though only the first episode was original to the spin-off series. It just so happened that this episode, a full length adventure, payed homage to the then in release, Batman Returns. The episode was less parody and more meta-humor packed focusing on Plucky Duck hoping to land the lead role in Tim Burton's Batman sequel. After all, Plucky had "played" Batduck before.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - DC Meets The Simpsons

Heaven knows that The Bartman was not the only reference that the Simpsons has made to the heroes and villains of the DC Universe. The first on my record was the cameo appearance of the Joker in season two's Old Money in 1991 hot off the heels of the Michael Keaton Batman movie. While I cannot promise that this review will be comprehensive, I will do my best. If I missed anyone, please post a comment and I will do my best to revise.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Reading, Writing & Wronging

Well look who decided to show up. The Penguin. Quack Quack! True to form, Pengy-Poo made this a terrible episode as he taught a bunch of would be criminals in his School of Crime. At one point, Penguin stranded Batman and Robin at the South Pole, and I really have to sympathize with Robin. Having no pants would certainly make enduring the arctic chill even worse.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - The Dynamic Scooby-Doo Affair

 

 
Its time for the one with the upside down house. 

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - A Bird Out of Hand

This time it was a reformed Penguin who struck fear in the hearts of criminals as he used his umbrellas for good, protecting citizens from crime including Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. Turns out it was all a ruse. All of the criminals captured by Pengy-Poo had an explosive feather to help coordinate a mass jailbreak. But Batman discovered the plan just in time and ended up capturing the Penguin on a giant flying umbrella with two other dudes in feathered eagle suits.

Evolution of the Batman (and Robin) - The Batman vs Dracula

One of the best things that came out of The Batman series was 2005's surprisingly dark direct to video project Batman Vs. Dracula.

Even though it may sound silly, the movie was much grimmer than the TV series, pitting The Dark Knight against the original batman - Count Dracula. The movie was so dark in fact, that some scenes and blood references had to be edited for airing on Cartoon Network. Also, with double the capes, the animation in this movie was quite good maintaining the somber mood.

Of course, the two most overused villains from the series (Joker and Penguin) appeared here as well. Fortunately they were used pretty well with the Penguin forced to serve Dracula, and the Joker himself becoming a vampire (not the glitter in the sun sort either).

Another nice appearance was made by bone other than Vicki Vale. Arriving just after the series first lackluster season, this movie gave fans false hope that the series was going to get a lot better. Turns out this was just an outlier. Maybe it wasn't as good as other Batman animated movies that preceded it, but when measured against the standard set by The Batman, this was a home run.

Up Next: Justice League: The New Frontier

Batman Serial * Batman and Robin Serial * Batman '66 TV * Batman '66 Movie * Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder * Batman on Scooby Doo * Batman the Super Friend * The New Adventures of Batman * Batman '89 * Batman Returns * Batman: The Animated Series * Batman: Mask of the Phantasm * Batman Forever * Batman and Robin * The New Batman Adventures * Boo Wonder * Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero * Batman Beyond * Gotham Girls * Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker * Batman on Justice League * DCAU Crossovers * Birds of Prey * Teen Titans * Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman * Chase Me * The Batman * Batman Begins * Batman Vs. Dracula *

* Special Musical Edition * Special Christmas Edition * Special OnStar Edition * Special Never Happened Edition * Special Canine Edition *