Batman: The Animated Series

My eyes went very big and round when I read this.

(Full potentially credibility-shredding disclosure: I've also started watching Kids Next Door because Lauren Tom and Cree Summer do voices on it and it's often ridiculously funny. There was a recent episode involving a training bra that was absolutely hysterical.)

Teen Titans is on tonight at 10 EST, if anyone -- like me -- was wondering, so they could check it out. Not sure when JLU is on, but Demonoid (thank you Andrew!) has seasons 1 and 2, and a few a la carte episodes.

Pretty much; it's also an extended riff on her "even when surrounded by friends, I am alone" schtick.

I got the first box set and it really is great, as good an introduction to what makes Batman great as you could ever have. The way they treat the Joker I think is particuarly laudable - he's clearly shown as comical, not just psychotic (i.e. you can laugh along with most of his antics), but at the same time he's still pretty fucking scary. A great balance between modern grim&gritty Batman and the character's older incarnation.

Some of the episodes - the Clayface two parter, the Mr.Freeze one - are so unberably tragic. The show's obsessive "sometimes things happen that turn you into a MONSTER and believe me, you sure as hell won't be able to escape that" message is really something for a kid's tv show!

I used to ("used to") have the biggest crush on the animated Poison Ivy when I was a kid - Harley Quinn looks very cute when she's in civilian clothes, as well. Didn't they semi-officially lez up in the cartoon's comics? Perv perv.

One guy on the extras defines the show's visual style as "dark deco" - hits the nail on the head, I think. It's all gorgeous, tho just *occasionally* you notice a slight anime influence, it annoys me every time.

Yeah, this is really key, and I'm glad that "Batman Begins" maintained this chronological ambiguity.

I hate Harley Quinn though and I am not looking forward to her appearance.

Oh, she's not *overwhelming* in it, so don't worry. It's a really great episode! The Joker is *really* scary in the first few scenes, and pretty funny after that. Also:

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At the end Batman laughs. Or, well, he seems to *try* to laugh - it comes out all abortion-like. It's crazy, and great.

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The Clayface two-parter is really a highlight of sorts, as is the Christmas Joker episode (which shows that BTAS isn't afraid to go all-out silly when it wants to.) I've a soft spot for "It's Never Too Late", tho - total homage to "Angels With Dirty Faces"!!

Weeeell, it starts with the Joker cheerfully decorating a christmas tree in Arkham while singing that ol' "jingle bells/Batman smells" thing; then next thing you know he's flying off into the air and you realise that the tree is a ROCKET! No explanation is given as to how, why, what, gah?

The whole episode pretty much maintains that vibe of absurdity/awesomeness.

I maintain Batman Beyond was a decent series despite the lame concept, if only for the hilarious Fantastic Four parody. The payoff to the ongoing backstory in "Return Of The Joker" was awesome.

"The Batman" is pure pish, though. I never asked for a version of Batman remodelled to resemble Jackie Chan Adventures, and I probably never will.

And not to come off all pervy, but um, I like Raven's look. Um. Legs.

The Joker waves good-bye to Charles Manson(!) as he flies out of Arkham.

Reasons I will anticipate:

1. Dracula!
1a. ...voiced by Peter Stormare!
2. Joker!

Reasons to dread:

1. "The Batman."
2. No Mark Hamill.

http://img105.exs.cx/img105/8022/serious.jpg

SHOULD I GET THIS??

Seriously, as far as meat & potatoes, just plain good Batman stories go, this show is unbeatable. Go for it.

ok correction
"what's my destiny dragon ball" is indeed the theme to dragon ball z, which i think was called "what's my destiny dragon ball" in italy? anyway seriously this fucking thing holds it's own against cha-la head-cha-la which i mean

that's _impressive_

i mean cha-la head-cha-la is, uh, _eurodance adjacent_ so it's not surprising that italy can bring it with its own version but still.