Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Showdown

The series gets points for creativity by introducing  Jonah Hex through this weird western tale via Ra's al Ghul flashback. That being said, this portrayal of Hex didn't do much to win me over as a fan of the bounty hunter or his ugly mug.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Avatar

If Ra's last episode was a tribute to classic Bond movies, this episode paid homage to Indiana Jones. Once again, seeing Bats and Talia team up was a lot of fun, even if I never quite understood what the grand plan really was.

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 - The Demon's Quest

 This epic two-part globetrotting tale introduced Ra's al Ghul not only to me, but to the animated world of DC. True, he did appear in Off Balance, but this outing cemented his status as a worthy A-list villain for the Dark Knight. In many ways, Ra's engineered test played out like a James Bond movie, full of thugs, traps, exotic locales, Talia as the Bond babe, and even a great score. The episode even featured skiing assassins, a Bondian trope.

Crisis of Infinite Episodes - Off Balance

 Not only does this one feature two substantial character debuts with Count Vertigo and Talia (three if you count the cameo by Ra's), but I consider this a milestone in the animated series. A lot of that may be in my head, but before the animated series I was not very familiar with the character of Ra's al Ghul. For the first half of this series, he was no where to be found, but with Off Balance, that world would be opened setting the stage for some epic clashes in the remaining episodes. And while I will take people's word for it that Ra's was big in the comics in the 70's, I credit his depiction here as much as anything with his eventual integration in the modern Batman movies. I could be completely wrong off course, but that's just my take. 

Onscreen History of Ra's Al Ghul

The Demon's Head AKA Ra's Al Ghul was introduced in 1971 in the pages of Batman #232. The international terrorist often strikes with environmental motivations and is a real bugger thanks to his rejuvenating Lazarus Pits which provide him with unnatural longevity.

Onscreen History of Talia al Ghul

First appearing in Detective Comics #411 in 1971, Talia al Ghul AKA تاليا الغول‎ , now estranged daughter of super villain / eco-terrorist / leader of the League of Shadows Ra's al Ghul has played a major role in the life of the Dark Knight. As a sometimes love interest and sometimes villain, Talia is the mother of current Robin and Batman heir Damian Wayne.

Evolution of the Batman (and Robin) - Batman: Under the Red Hood

In July of 2010, Batman: Under the Red Hood drew from not one but two classic Batman arcs and delivered one of, if not THE greatest animated Batman film to date.

The movie's brief pre-credits opening summarized the 1980's Death in the Family storyline in which the second Robin, Jason Todd, was brutally murdered by the Joker (as a result of a phone-in campaign in which fans opted for the bratty side-kick to die). Unfortunately, the inclusion of this sequence, though vital to the story, kinda spoils some of the movie's mystery.

Soon enough the masked Red Hood is introduced. This anti-hero's identity is not immediately revealed, but I will just say its the same guy it was in the more recent Under the Hood comic book arc.

Fortunately, the movie gave Red Hood a much improved origin than the comic, opting to include Lazarus pit loving Ra's Al Ghul rather than continuity punching Superboy-Prime (don't ask).

Much of the story focused on Red Hoods quest to take control of crime in Gotham from the gangster Black Mask, an underused and lesser known on screen Bat villain.

Of course, no classic Batman movie would be complete without the Joker, this time played as a real creepy and lethal psycho who gets some comeuppance.

Dick Grayson also appeared in the Nightwing persona.

Throughout the story there were lots of dark moments, making the lighthearted flashbacks featuring a young enthusiastic Jason Todd as Robin (as well as a campy Riddler) all the more tragically heart wrenching.

Up Next: Superman Batman: Apocalypse

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Evolution of the Batman (and Robin) - Batman Begins

In 2005, Batman Begins convinced audiences that they wanted more Batman movies. Before its release, most people would have been perfectly content with the ones they had. The movie shattered low expectations and set a new standard for Batman movies. Though its $205 million was a modest take, buzz continued to build after the movie's video release paving the way for a Batslide in 2008.

Batman Begins returned to the origins of the Detective setting him in a grounded reality. And even though he did not get to appear in the shelved Batman Triumphant movie, the Scarecrow finally made his live-action debut - a perfect choice for the film's central theme of fear.

Most impressive was the use of Ra's Al Ghul. Not only was the integration with Batman's training genius, but the character was presented as both faithful to the comics, but also realistic. Batman Begins also marked the live-action debut for old Rashie.

Thank goodness Batman finally got his dignity back. Although the character had been consistently popular, Batman Begins was a turning point in once again making him cool.

Up Next: Krypto the Superdog

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 *

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