probably the best incarnation of Batman ever?
This show is my favourite version of the batman/bruce character that i've seen anywhere, in film, comics, other animated shows etc. the show itself is also the most sophisticated action adventure show that i've ever seen (along with green lantern), certainly in the same league as batman the animated series, in how groundbreaking it was, in the stories that were told, and how they were told.
firstly, people who think that BTAS is the best batman show ever made, or ever will be, need to stop being so precious about their show, and view BTB with an objective set of eyes. BTAS broke new ground in animated tv with proper stories, convincing voice acting, and camera and editing techniques highly influenced by a myriad of genres, that suited the world of batman and gotham city (old school crime and horror,early film noir chariscuro cinematography, musical scores by an actual orchestra). the result was a show that looked and felt like, as producers bruce timm and eric radomski put it, "mini movies".
Beware the Batman is just as groundbreaking and thrilling in it'[s stories and techniques. The plots are often labrynth-like, and often are symbolic, or directly refernce contemporary societal problems, like the economy, mental illness, conservation of energy, corporate corruption, etc. the voice acting is convincing and feels more like a film than a cartoon at times. i loved Anthony Ruivivar as bruce/ batman. Such a perfect, commanding, at times sarcastic delivery. me-likey.
The villains were such a progressive, forward thinking way to go. how many times have we seen the same old adversaries? Doesn't it get boring, always seeing the joker, penguin, riddler etc? Silver monkey was soooooo f&*king cool. I'd never heard of this guy, ever. Great subplot in 'reckonong' when he helps batman after they bust out of the jail cell. the incarnation of Ra's al ghul was the most threatening and dangerous i'd ever seen. lady shiva? boss. Anarky reminded me a bit of dark knight joker. the chess-like relationship between was particuarly smart and thrilling. Batman being hunted by police? A million dollar bounty on his head? Bruce wayne being shot in the chest by a batman impersonator? Batman surrendering voluntary to the police, to tactically decapacitate killer croc by exploiting his vulnerable spots? Was anyone else blown away by all this cool *beep* And everything leading up to the genisis of the outsiders, was so cool. It's like the writers found all these obscure but worthwhile elements from the comics and presented them. the manhunter episode where batman and katana team up with paul kirk? so f*&king cool
Barbara and lieutenant Gordan teaming up to turn gotham's powere back on was so funny and cool. This is the coolest incarnation of barbara ever as well, and makes way more sense. She's just this cool, geeky computer hacker, obsessed with batman. super smart, super capable, but still this goofy teenager.
Katana was super-cool, and was a partner (not sidekick) worthy of Batman. i ended up loving her alot. Smart, capable, funny. And bruce's driver/bodyguard. genius.
The closest I've seen to the characterisation in this show, is Grant Morrisson's batman run. Razor sharp mind. See's everything everyone else doesn't. ultra-strategic (plans 10 steps ahead of everyone else). anticipates his oponent's actions. Takes HUGE risks, puts his body on the line. Is witty, and sarcastic. KNOWS kung-fu. This show has the best batman fight scenes ever, bar none. Batman actually practices martial arts in this show, something in which he hardly does anywhere else.
there were so many highlights to this how, it's a joke. i might write another post listing my favourite batman moments, or start one asking everyone else theirs. for now i'll leave you with my favourite. Simon Stagg walks into his office late at night, moving towards his chair which is facing the window. the chair starts to swivel around. Simon gasps. Sitting in the chair, like a gargoyle, totally relaxed, with all the time in the world, is the Batman. did everyone just get chills just now?
If your relgion is Batman the animated series, i encourage you to write a response detailing how it is superior to Beware the batman.