Depressing but understandable. Bruce feels like everyone he touches is broken or marred permanently. And, uh, he's not wrong. The only person more well-intentioned than him wears red & blue, but Bruce just doesn't know how to interact with people he cares for that aren't named "Alfred".
He's not alone. He has terry. And Terry mended his relationships with Barbara and Tim. And then... Hell he might give him an adopted grandson with Dana #keepepilogueasecret
I saw once someone saying that in this universe only Superman, Alfred and Terry understood how Bruce is: not this cold hearted man only obsessed with his mission but a compassionate and scarred man. I guess that Legacy in JLU is a good example of this (although I kinda hate the reveal of Terry being a clone/son of Bruce).
@@lucasvalle4841 I actually think the reveal is pretty good. Mostly because, genetically speaking, it's *really* weird for Terry to have black hair despite neither of his parents having it. It also doesn't change the fact that Terry's dad still raised him. It's also a remarkably touching parallel to Bruce himself, what with how Thomas may be Bruce's father, Alfred is always gonna be his daddy.
Really heartwarming how Bruce really did change because he lost Dick. A pity you didn't include Dick's line, "The only people Bruce ever loved were his parents and the sooner you realize that, the better" And how this episode showed Dick was wrong
Does he say that? I don't remember hearing it, and I can't find the quote online. EDIT: Found the actual source of the quote, as it's definitely not in this episode. It's from the Hush Beyond story arc from the Batman Beyond comics.
I think there should have been a comic or short that explained how Batman in the dcau slowly went from the more emotional Batman that we see in Batman the Animated Series to the slightly cold hearted but still compassionate Batman that we see from the New Batman Adventures onward
The cynical answer is that Timm and co. wanted Bruce to become more god-like and a suave, sexy type, but yeah it sucks that they lost sight of man that they understood so well in the Animated Series. And it becomes weirder when you consider Justice League and Batman Beyond. Like the Batman in Justice League only make sense if it is the Batman from the Animated Series while Batman Beyond only makes sense when it is the Batman from New Adventures. The thing about Batman is that the Batfam, Justice League, and the Outsiders always saved from being consumed by darkness. I guess when Dick left him, he spiraled is what we supposed to think as the gap between Animated Series and New Batman Adventures but imo it makes no sense
Theres that but I think some people said the comic had some issues cannon wise but events from Mask of the Phantasm would’ve also made him more cold hearted
@@maria_from_ga1461 THANK YOU. But I disagree, the Batman from Justice League has more emotion than the one from TNBA but that emotion is aholerry and dckishness.
Tho I do love Old Wounds, because tho it is in New Adventures, it is more line with the Batman in the Animated Series than the New Adventures one Probably it is more in line with pre-Crisis Batman and Nightwing origin than the post-Crisis one lol
Nightwing has always been my favorite superhero along with Spider-Man. Bruce fights crime because he HAS to, but Dick fights crime because he WANTS to. They care about each other A LOT, but this difference is why Dick left. They might not be able to work together as Batman and Robin anymore, but that doesn’t mean they don’t love and care for one another. I love their relationship, and Dick Grayson will forever be one of my favorites!
I'd love a series of films about Nightwing, but they would *have* to involve Dick eventually taking up the cape & cowl himself after the death of Bruce. Bruce is too broken to be the Batman that Gotham, and the world, really needs. But Dick? He's everything Batman is with none of the baggage. He's the one thing Bruce got right. I know the whole point of Nightwing is meant to be Dick going his own way and all, but Batman is his birthright, and he's the only one who can do it without it crushing everything else about him.
@@RaptorJesus I totally agree. I think its kind of ironic. When it comes to Dick, although he becomes his own man, and his own hero, there has never been anybody better and more fitting to take up the cape and cowl.
I always loved whenever Bruce and Dick’s relationship is explored. From Young Justice’s reasoning of creating Robin so Dick wouldn’t become like Bruce. To a Nightwing comic where Catwoman reveals that Bruce always thought Dick was his greatest triumph. Bruce could never show his affection towards his Bat Family, but nonetheless, he truly loved them like they were his own
I honestly wish this was brought up in Batman Beyond more. Barbara never took any responsibility in helping break the Bat family up in her betrayal of Dick and getting with Bruce. She lashes out at Bruce and by extension Terry when she remembers the past, but no one calls her out on her actions. This episode was great
Batgirl was always the worst part of the Batman animated series to me then I seen this all “Robin/Batgirl” compilation video and I felt very confused after realizing she forced herself in but she had a very good heart but was still annoying then comes Batman Beyond and she is even more annoying and truly broke the Dynamic duo apart. The comics are waaaay better for her, yeevsh.
@@theepoopydoodoo Barbara was in college and an adult by the time she became Batgirl in the DCAU, Bruce barely knew her before he saw her again for the first time and by then she was an adult, he did no such thing. She can and should be responsible for herself.
You can hear it in Batmans voice in tnba, batman beyond, the Justice League. He doesn't have the campiness and positive emotion in his voice that he had. He just got darker from the earlier btas. His costume is darker, he speaks less frequently and when he does its more stern. Part of this is to contrast him with Superman but its like Dini wanted to show the darker side of crime fighting.
Kinda makes me wish we could have early BTAS Bruce Wayne hanging out with Clark. No witty retorts or constant insults aimed at all the nice heroes. Just Batman being nice too.
I really wish we got to see Dick in Batman Beyond(the 2.0 comics aren’t really canon) because I always wondered what a Batman Beyond era Dick would think of Bruce after literal decades and I also heard that he’s still active as Nightwing by time of Batman Beyond
Batman beyond comics are from earth 12, the continuity of those comics took references from the DCAU, but the DCAU is not the earth 12 th-cam.com/video/WBPm03p-6fY/w-d-xo.html
As far as I know, there's a Batman Beyond series from 2 years ago where Grayson became the mayor of Bludhaven and his daughter became Batwoman, even getting a suit w/ a blue bat on the chest in honor of him
Episodes likethese highlight one the things I like about DCAU Batman: He is not a Bat God. Unlike nowadays were alot writers try to portray Batman as "Gary Stu who is always right and can defeat any hero with not problem". DCAU Batman on other hand is detective and badass hero but still has human flaws. Sometimes he lets his dedication self-control and desire to protect others go to far, refusing to admit his faults or have simple dialogue with his allies, resulting in him coming off as cold and distant and his friends like Dick end up leaving because of this attitude. However, as showed by the end of these episode, Batman is not heartless, that he is able to see the consequence of his actions and try to redeem himself from his mistakes. He makes mistakes but learns from the experience. It really shows how Bruce Timm, Paul Dini and the other DCAU writer really knew how to write Batman, portraying as heroic and badass but at the same time relatable and human.
Only one-shot 1offs and elseworlds and the DCAMU have portrayed Batman like that, eh, less DCAMU though but he’s had his moments. Even in the DCAU JL/JLU they did that, tf you mean? They only really portray Batman relatable and human in Batman: TAS and Batman: The new adventures tbh… From JL/JLU and some of Superman they just go crazy, even the Legion of superheroes movie.
the life of dcau batman is very sad in general because in the end he distances himself from everyone he’s ever loved and ends up alone all because he wants to continue his mission
"An era can be considered over when its basic illusions have been exhausted" - Arthur Miller As a child stricken by grief & trauma, Dick saw Batman as this paradigm to heal and find purpose. As Dick grew older and healed in the process, he came into conflict with Batman as he slowly started to see Batman for what he was and how that differs from his own identity. The result is that Dick sees only the negative qualities of Batman instead of the ones he first recognized.
Can you please explain what you mean? Like do you mean Dick slowly started to see the negatives instead of the positives? English isn't my strong language so I was having a bit trouble ^^;
@@ss16206 I'm saying that Dick has outgrown his beliefs/ideas at the time and continues to grow. As a child, he became Robin to gain justice for the murder of his parents. He was able to heal and grow as Robin, but it brought friction against Batman as her got older. With Batman seemingly unwilling to change, Dick outgrew his role to set out alone based on his own beliefs on how to deliver justice and balance life.
Old Wounds should always and forever prove that Bruce Wayne is NOT the cold hearted, soulless bastard so many think he is, but a wounded man that care so much, he is literally incapable of expressing it. "For all that fierce exterior, I've never seen anyone care as deeply for his fellow man as Bruce Wayne." -Amanda Waller-
"Robin, wait!" What I like about that line is that Batman isn't upset that Dick doesn't want to be Robin anymore. He's perfectly alright with that. It's that Dick is leaving Barbara too. THAT's what mattered to him most, and probably stung the most along with Dick leaving him as a son. At that moment, they were truly father and son. Bruce is a good man, one of the best, but he is cold and doesn't know how to express himself. He can say that all that matter is the mission all he wants, but truth be told, he loves people and doesn't want ANYBODY to go through the pain he's felt. We wears his pain and burdens as armor, weaponizing it against evil, believing that the world is a better place with Batman than a happy Bruce Wayne. While that sounds very "edgy", for Batman/Bruce it's the truth unlike a lot of other brooding heroes, and ultimately he has a heart of gold. He just hides it.
Nightwing is an awesome character he really is the Peter Parker of dc which is probably why they’re my two favorite heroes. Anyway this episode always made me tear up definitely might be my favorite tnba episode
Rip Kevin Conroy, he was such a huge part of my childhood and countless others. He died on my birthday only 2 days ago that was the worst news I could’ve received or read about on my 20th.
The comic tie-in Batman Adventures: The Lost Years follows Dick's journey to becoming Nightwing, in a sense following Bruce's footsteps by traveling around the world and picking up unique skills but never really mastering any one. It also shows how he got the gliding wings that I wish the comic counterpart was given. Sadly it doesn't show the part in Old Wounds where Nightwing finds that Bruce helped the guy who was interrogated in front of his son but at least we get a better ending there, where Bruce gives him a chance at being a better father for his son by having a good job instead of being a henchman.
As a fan of the original series, seeing how deep and complex they made batman in it, how despite putting on the batman persona, you saw him showing true emotional moments in the costume, when he was there beside Jim's hospital bed after saving him from the jazz man holding his hand, or when he held baby doll after she had her emotional breakdown, or how he hoped to save harvey from his psychosis as two face. Yet in the new adventures, he just lost so much emotion, he no longer even tried to show emotion to Harvey anymore, he was cold and pragmatic with Harley in mad love instead of trying to relate to her like he did in Harley's Holiday, and the contrast with how he treated Tim as a child to how he treated Dick, it's night and day. One thing they never addressed was where the change happened between the early season and the later new adventures with his more withdrawn personality, because despite the character model changes this was the same setting. We never got a legit answer why Bruce became so withdrawn, despite having a full family at this point.
6:34 Glad I’m not the only one that feels this way. It never made sense why Batman never just bothers calling Superman for help with his crime problem especially in TAS lol
9:18 I think this moment is supposed to highlight that Batman cares and gives attention to criminals who want to improve. Him choosing to traumatize that man’s family was his way of “scaring him straight” (like-is this what you want? Cops or me breaking down you door, cuffing you in front of your wife and kid?), and Bruce giving him a job and checking in on him was showing that deep down, Batman does care about giving people a second chance who deserve it.
I always find it sad when people dismiss Nightwing as the 'happy one' of all of Batman’s children. There is so much more to his character than the fact that makes jokes or is in a better mode than Bruce. He is in fact the one that consistently criticzes Bruce’s wrongdoings and the one that at the same time because of his pure existence changed Bruce. And the fact is, even if no one in realizes it, but Nightwing is very very similar to Bruce and in some aspects even better at manipulation and deception than Bruce is. It’s so interesting to me, because Nightwing seems to be the antithesis of Batman when in fact he is more like an alternate version of what Batman could’ve been.
It’s phenomenal how many in depth video essays have been made on animated Batman episodes. The show and the characters have incredible depth and meaning, beyond just entertaining the audience. I think it furthers adds fuel to the notion Batman is more than a comic hero.
This episode, dare I say the mid half of the Animated Series and afterwards, wouldn’t be the same without Loren Lester. His acting made Robin stand out in every scene that was important to him, and it’s a big reason (for me, anyway) that the Animated Series is as good as it is. The characters and voices had so much passion in them that makes the show stand out amongst its peers, even to this day with cartoons of supposedly higher quality of animation.
would love more videos about nightwing, he is such an interisting character, the whole arc of him becoming just like bruce is always good, sidenote, his version in young justice is just perfectly done
I was listening to this while working, and when you got to the part where you compared Batman to an Asian parent, it really caught my attention because you nailed it. Being half Vietnamese and Chinese, my parents always thought what they wanted was what I wanted, or when they had a chance to be a parents, they would go straight to the bigger picture. Being grown, I understand it better, but at the same time it would've been nice to have a parent when I actually needed it. Great video and great essay, keep it up!
I'd say that they didn't have the opportunities that we had growing up and thus never understood the freedom to self-actualize that we seek. And they spent their lives fulfilling responsibilities. They're not wrong in a way.
Honestly, rehearing all of these great episodes just further cements the idea that batman TAS was one of, if not, the best super hero cartoons evers. Im so lucky to have been able to grow up watching these shows as a young kid.
I like how nightwing and Harley are actually the most relatable. Both work at circus, both being push by 'destructive' people, are the sidekicks, both had to become thier own person
and are evidently both really freaky in the sack XD I mean, a guy would have to be crazy to want to fuck Harley... and a girl would have to be crazy to want to fuck a member of the Bat family...
It must be really frustrating working with or under Batman. He doesn’t owe anyone an explanation, he keeps people in the dark. He endangers people, puts the mission first.
This is a perfect video! I remember when Titans came out everyone thought it was so funny that Dick said “Fuck Batman” when knowing these same stories and seeing it through this lense you can absolutely see why he would have a “fuck Batman” phase in his life. And the healing of wounds like this between Bruce and Dick across media is great because it allows both characters to grow. Dick is essentially Bruce’s first child and he wasn’t always perfect, even after Dick but he learns to be better for Tim and Damian. Despite Bruce Timm I feel like there’s even a lot to be said for Bruce’s fatherly relationship to the Batgirls as well that’s completely different to the Robins.
I’ve watched rick and morty today. I’ve watched Assassination classroom. Both in their own ways, they are great. Then I watched this. I just lost someone in my life. I watched your Lex luthor video. Your justice league unlimited video. I can’t be a patreon member but from one aspiring writer to you, I was touched, moved, I felt myself feel I had a soul again. Don’t underestimate yourself.
AC really rubbed me just right... and having Sonny play the main role like that was just perfect. probably around time I re-watch it... I hope you can find your "place" soon... sooner than the 2 years I'm pushing and still lost in that void of grief >.> suddenly reminded of Bruce in the Harley series asking Shark about grief periods "is 30 years a normal amount of grieving time?"
Great video, thankyou for articulating the feelings many of us are afraid to face, being afraid of being someone else, so much so we become them, I struggle with this as I know do others and this video helped cushion some of the pain with a bit of understanding, maybe it's time to take trip back home, answer the call, or just check in because even those who may not say it love you. Thanks for that🙏🏽💪🏽💯
Another cool level of duality between the new generation and old generation is the new guy being dragged in to work with the Joker, it’s a direct parallel to Jokers Backstory, Joker ended up getting involved with the Red Hood, no not Jason, and it was because he wanted to make easy money for his struggling family, the only difference was… the Joker because of the Joker that guy avoided the same fate, similar to how Dick avoided the same fate of Batman, because of Batman, dear god this show’s writing was way ahead of it’s time.
Excellent analysis. I had more or less the same thoughts when I first saw the episode all those years ago. For anyone whose familiar with Weaverdice or at least Wildbow's Worm, I've always thought this kind of situation would be interesting to explore as a trigger event. Imagine being a non-cape sidekick working for years alongside a cape like Batman and feeling driven into a corner by this sort of situation.
Tas has the 2nd Unhealthiest (after Crazy Steve) relationship between Batman and Dick Grayson. In almost every reality Dick is the Heir apparent: looked up to by almost everyone in Universe, as well as one of it's most eligible bachelors. In the Timmverse, he's a Loser. The producers have a weird hatred of one of DC's most beloved characters.
Kind of reminds me of the movie Fences where Denzel as the dad is so cold when he speaks to his son that a father nowadays would rarely talk to a son so coldly. But that script was written back in the day. I know they’ll keep writing more Batman movies/episodes til we’re all in the dirt. But there’s always that part of Batman I feel that’s stuck in the generation he was originally written in. As my teacher once said, if our parents knew how to be better parents they would be.
Bro crazy I was just thinking about these episodes… and how hard they hit when I was younger I was like no nightwing please talk to Batman he does care….then when it ended I felt reinvigorated and happy. Miss The DCAU everyday especially with the comics coming out now….just god damn shit on my childhood and badass comics I grew up with….
"You THINk you did, but you dont know him like I do. He manipulates things, pulls strings! Anything to get what he wants!" idk why but that statemnt from Dick was SUCH good delivery, and a perfect summarization of Batman's more shady side. Because ultimately its true. Bruce when to get what he wants will go to any lengths. To the point even his closest friends question wtf is wrong with you
Man, now I just need to go watch "Robin's Reckoning" again (as if it's not somehow become so burned into my brain that I could quote along with every clip in this video)... And it's honestly been so long since I've seen any of the fourth season episodes that I completely forgot that's what Tim and Babs sounded like, lol. That was the season that made me realize that I didn't really care about Bruce/Batman in a general sense, only the version as portrayed in the first three seasons (and almost no where else that I've been able to find, sadly). Dick, on the other hand, I managed to like as both Robin and Nightwing, so I stuck around basically for him and him only. Wanting to know the comic basis for all of this was what eventually got me into Batfamily comics, though, so in the end I can't be too mad about the abrupt changes - been able to enjoy a lot more of Dick Grayson because of it.
When Bane was introduced, some critics felt that his creation was done solely to sell more comics. The reality was that his presence showed why it was so important for Batman to work with other people. He could be incapacitated or killed as a mere mortal but more importantly, he could also become colder, crueler and even cross “that” line. This episode showed why Dick, Tim and Barbara’s presence were so important. They were there to keep him in check.
4:50 this is how a father son dynamic will go if your father does not communicate well, has unrealistic expectations and lowkey controls you instead of guiding him.
It’s depressing to think that despite this episode, Bruce still ends up alone in Batman beyond…
Depressing but understandable. Bruce feels like everyone he touches is broken or marred permanently. And, uh, he's not wrong. The only person more well-intentioned than him wears red & blue, but Bruce just doesn't know how to interact with people he cares for that aren't named "Alfred".
Well he is still loved by everyone. It’s just Bruce is Beyond dedicated on protecting the people in Gotham. At least Bruce will not pass on alone.
He's not alone. He has terry. And Terry mended his relationships with Barbara and Tim. And then... Hell he might give him an adopted grandson with Dana #keepepilogueasecret
I saw once someone saying that in this universe only Superman, Alfred and Terry understood how Bruce is: not this cold hearted man only obsessed with his mission but a compassionate and scarred man. I guess that Legacy in JLU is a good example of this (although I kinda hate the reveal of Terry being a clone/son of Bruce).
@@lucasvalle4841 I actually think the reveal is pretty good. Mostly because, genetically speaking, it's *really* weird for Terry to have black hair despite neither of his parents having it. It also doesn't change the fact that Terry's dad still raised him.
It's also a remarkably touching parallel to Bruce himself, what with how Thomas may be Bruce's father, Alfred is always gonna be his daddy.
Really heartwarming how Bruce really did change because he lost Dick.
A pity you didn't include Dick's line, "The only people Bruce ever loved were his parents and the sooner you realize that, the better" And how this episode showed Dick was wrong
most guys do change when they lose their dick
Then Batman got batgirl pregnant to show how little he cares for dick
Does he say that? I don't remember hearing it, and I can't find the quote online. EDIT: Found the actual source of the quote, as it's definitely not in this episode. It's from the Hush Beyond story arc from the Batman Beyond comics.
I think there should have been a comic or short that explained how Batman in the dcau slowly went from the more emotional Batman that we see in Batman the Animated Series to the slightly cold hearted but still compassionate Batman that we see from the New Batman Adventures onward
Well Jason Todd is in fact Canon in that universe so that could’ve done it
The cynical answer is that Timm and co. wanted Bruce to become more god-like and a suave, sexy type, but yeah it sucks that they lost sight of man that they understood so well in the Animated Series.
And it becomes weirder when you consider Justice League and Batman Beyond. Like the Batman in Justice League only make sense if it is the Batman from the Animated Series while Batman Beyond only makes sense when it is the Batman from New Adventures. The thing about Batman is that the Batfam, Justice League, and the Outsiders always saved from being consumed by darkness. I guess when Dick left him, he spiraled is what we supposed to think as the gap between Animated Series and New Batman Adventures but imo it makes no sense
Theres that but I think some people said the comic had some issues cannon wise but events from Mask of the Phantasm would’ve also made him more cold hearted
@@maria_from_ga1461 THANK YOU. But I disagree, the Batman from Justice League has more emotion than the one from TNBA but that emotion is aholerry and dckishness.
Tho I do love Old Wounds, because tho it is in New Adventures, it is more line with the Batman in the Animated Series than the New Adventures one
Probably it is more in line with pre-Crisis Batman and Nightwing origin than the post-Crisis one lol
Nightwing has always been my favorite superhero along with Spider-Man. Bruce fights crime because he HAS to, but Dick fights crime because he WANTS to. They care about each other A LOT, but this difference is why Dick left. They might not be able to work together as Batman and Robin anymore, but that doesn’t mean they don’t love and care for one another. I love their relationship, and Dick Grayson will forever be one of my favorites!
Same!!!
I'd love a series of films about Nightwing, but they would *have* to involve Dick eventually taking up the cape & cowl himself after the death of Bruce. Bruce is too broken to be the Batman that Gotham, and the world, really needs. But Dick? He's everything Batman is with none of the baggage. He's the one thing Bruce got right. I know the whole point of Nightwing is meant to be Dick going his own way and all, but Batman is his birthright, and he's the only one who can do it without it crushing everything else about him.
@@RaptorJesus I totally agree. I think its kind of ironic. When it comes to Dick, although he becomes his own man, and his own hero, there has never been anybody better and more fitting to take up the cape and cowl.
Yea I agree with you and same spiderman and Nightwing will always be my favorite characters because of those reasons
DCAU Nightwing, Batman (Bruce and Terry), Superman and Flash will always be my top favorites tbh.
The way you so nonchalantly said "Like and Asian parent" fucking killed me 💀
I really hope one day they'll make a batman movie that includes nightwing. He's such an interesting character
I really wanted to see him in the DCEU, Ben Affleck's Batman was in the right age to have a 22-25 year old son, sadly Zack killed Dick as Robin
I'm tired of Hollywood being afraid to do the Bat family or go non-realistic. I'll probably be in my 40s by the time we get that.
He's in my top 5 DC heroes. Dick Graysok is a bro and a badass in his own right, and unlike Batman, he's actually personable and sociable.
@@s-wo8781 they'll have bruce wayne outsmart an omnipotent alien before they'll ever let a 14 year old learn how to fight crime
Wow I just realized Nightwing has never been in a live action film
I always loved whenever Bruce and Dick’s relationship is explored. From Young Justice’s reasoning of creating Robin so Dick wouldn’t become like Bruce. To a Nightwing comic where Catwoman reveals that Bruce always thought Dick was his greatest triumph.
Bruce could never show his affection towards his Bat Family, but nonetheless, he truly loved them like they were his own
Or when Bruce cried for Dick in Catwomans arms after Damian accidentally killed him in Injustice
I honestly wish this was brought up in Batman Beyond more. Barbara never took any responsibility in helping break the Bat family up in her betrayal of Dick and getting with Bruce.
She lashes out at Bruce and by extension Terry when she remembers the past, but no one calls her out on her actions.
This episode was great
Batgirl was always the worst part of the Batman animated series to me then I seen this all “Robin/Batgirl” compilation video and I felt very confused after realizing she forced herself in but she had a very good heart but was still annoying then comes Batman Beyond and she is even more annoying and truly broke the Dynamic duo apart. The comics are waaaay better for her, yeevsh.
@@Artryom agreed except the comic where she got pregnant
Barbara got groomed. She's not truly at fault.
@@theepoopydoodoo Barbara was in college and an adult by the time she became Batgirl in the DCAU, Bruce barely knew her before he saw her again for the first time and by then she was an adult, he did no such thing. She can and should be responsible for herself.
@@ScapeVEVO you can be groomed as an adult, by authority figures. It happens all the time.
You can hear it in Batmans voice in tnba, batman beyond, the Justice League. He doesn't have the campiness and positive emotion in his voice that he had. He just got darker from the earlier btas. His costume is darker, he speaks less frequently and when he does its more stern.
Part of this is to contrast him with Superman but its like Dini wanted to show the darker side of crime fighting.
Yeah I always felt his change in character was because he had to start playing off an ensemble or different character (like Terry or Superman)
Now Ill never get the chance ask Kevin Conroy at comic con.
Kinda makes me wish we could have early BTAS Bruce Wayne hanging out with Clark. No witty retorts or constant insults aimed at all the nice heroes. Just Batman being nice too.
@@LARRYLONGSTRETHagreed
@@YungM.D. not really
I really wish we got to see Dick in Batman Beyond(the 2.0 comics aren’t really canon) because I always wondered what a Batman Beyond era Dick would think of Bruce after literal decades and I also heard that he’s still active as Nightwing by time of Batman Beyond
Their are comics that _were_ canon, at least as they were being written.
2016-2020
There are also comics where you get to see dick in batman..
Batman beyond comics are from earth 12, the continuity of those comics took references from the DCAU, but the DCAU is not the earth 12
th-cam.com/video/WBPm03p-6fY/w-d-xo.html
As far as I know, there's a Batman Beyond series from 2 years ago where Grayson became the mayor of Bludhaven and his daughter became Batwoman, even getting a suit w/ a blue bat on the chest in honor of him
@@jmouton337 That’s set in a future version of the prime universe not the dcau
Episodes likethese highlight one the things I like about DCAU Batman: He is not a Bat God. Unlike nowadays were alot writers try to portray Batman as "Gary Stu who is always right and can defeat any hero with not problem". DCAU Batman on other hand is detective and badass hero but still has human flaws. Sometimes he lets his dedication self-control and desire to protect others go to far, refusing to admit his faults or have simple dialogue with his allies, resulting in him coming off as cold and distant and his friends like Dick end up leaving because of this attitude.
However, as showed by the end of these episode, Batman is not heartless, that he is able to see the consequence of his actions and try to redeem himself from his mistakes. He makes mistakes but learns from the experience. It really shows how Bruce Timm, Paul Dini and the other DCAU writer really knew how to write Batman, portraying as heroic and badass but at the same time relatable and human.
Only one-shot 1offs and elseworlds and the DCAMU have portrayed Batman like that, eh, less DCAMU though but he’s had his moments. Even in the DCAU JL/JLU they did that, tf you mean?
They only really portray Batman relatable and human in Batman: TAS and Batman: The new adventures tbh…
From JL/JLU and some of Superman they just go crazy, even the Legion of superheroes movie.
the life of dcau batman is very sad in general because in the end he distances himself from everyone he’s ever loved and ends up alone all because he wants to continue his mission
Yeah he lets the mask and the mission consume him
At least he still has one son in his life.
And what is his mission
"An era can be considered over when its basic illusions have been exhausted" - Arthur Miller
As a child stricken by grief & trauma, Dick saw Batman as this paradigm to heal and find purpose. As Dick grew older and healed in the process, he came into conflict with Batman as he slowly started to see Batman for what he was and how that differs from his own identity. The result is that Dick sees only the negative qualities of Batman instead of the ones he first recognized.
Can you please explain what you mean? Like do you mean Dick slowly started to see the negatives instead of the positives? English isn't my strong language so I was having a bit trouble ^^;
@@ss16206 He seen both sides. And couldn’t deal with the bad. So he left
@@ss16206 I'm saying that Dick has outgrown his beliefs/ideas at the time and continues to grow. As a child, he became Robin to gain justice for the murder of his parents. He was able to heal and grow as Robin, but it brought friction against Batman as her got older. With Batman seemingly unwilling to change, Dick outgrew his role to set out alone based on his own beliefs on how to deliver justice and balance life.
@@michaelh5446 ah I see
Thank you!
Old Wounds should always and forever prove that Bruce Wayne is NOT the cold hearted, soulless bastard so many think he is, but a wounded man that care so much, he is literally incapable of expressing it.
"For all that fierce exterior, I've never seen anyone care as deeply for his fellow man as Bruce Wayne."
-Amanda Waller-
"Robin, wait!" What I like about that line is that Batman isn't upset that Dick doesn't want to be Robin anymore. He's perfectly alright with that. It's that Dick is leaving Barbara too. THAT's what mattered to him most, and probably stung the most along with Dick leaving him as a son. At that moment, they were truly father and son. Bruce is a good man, one of the best, but he is cold and doesn't know how to express himself. He can say that all that matter is the mission all he wants, but truth be told, he loves people and doesn't want ANYBODY to go through the pain he's felt. We wears his pain and burdens as armor, weaponizing it against evil, believing that the world is a better place with Batman than a happy Bruce Wayne. While that sounds very "edgy", for Batman/Bruce it's the truth unlike a lot of other brooding heroes, and ultimately he has a heart of gold. He just hides it.
Imagine being batcuffed for being criminal and you hear Robin: "Batman how could you?"
Lmaooo
Nightwing is an awesome character he really is the Peter Parker of dc which is probably why they’re my two favorite heroes.
Anyway this episode always made me tear up definitely might be my favorite tnba episode
Dick Grayson is my all time favorite DC hero. He’s never been supplanted. There’s something great about him.
Rip Kevin Conroy, he was such a huge part of my childhood and countless others. He died on my birthday only 2 days ago that was the worst news I could’ve received or read about on my 20th.
Rip
People will never let the Barbara x Bruce thing go away
i garauntee the moment we do is the moment they bring it back even worse
I ignored that shit- uhh I mean ship once but it only came back as a killing joke
That's because Bruce Timm is still pushing it.
We would let it go away IF BRUCE TIMM DIDN'T KEEP SUPPORTING IT!!
Can we stop pretending Bruce is a good person and wouldn't totally do that? It's not a good thing, but it's in character
I love this. I think it speaks to the trauma in all of us.
The comic tie-in Batman Adventures: The Lost Years follows Dick's journey to becoming Nightwing, in a sense following Bruce's footsteps by traveling around the world and picking up unique skills but never really mastering any one. It also shows how he got the gliding wings that I wish the comic counterpart was given. Sadly it doesn't show the part in Old Wounds where Nightwing finds that Bruce helped the guy who was interrogated in front of his son but at least we get a better ending there, where Bruce gives him a chance at being a better father for his son by having a good job instead of being a henchman.
Beautiful. Simply beautiful. You've even accomplished not making me cringe as much as to the mention of Bruce and Barbara's relationship.
As a fan of the original series, seeing how deep and complex they made batman in it, how despite putting on the batman persona, you saw him showing true emotional moments in the costume, when he was there beside Jim's hospital bed after saving him from the jazz man holding his hand, or when he held baby doll after she had her emotional breakdown, or how he hoped to save harvey from his psychosis as two face.
Yet in the new adventures, he just lost so much emotion, he no longer even tried to show emotion to Harvey anymore, he was cold and pragmatic with Harley in mad love instead of trying to relate to her like he did in Harley's Holiday, and the contrast with how he treated Tim as a child to how he treated Dick, it's night and day.
One thing they never addressed was where the change happened between the early season and the later new adventures with his more withdrawn personality, because despite the character model changes this was the same setting. We never got a legit answer why Bruce became so withdrawn, despite having a full family at this point.
6:34 Glad I’m not the only one that feels this way. It never made sense why Batman never just bothers calling Superman for help with his crime problem especially in TAS lol
The animated series makes sense, they hadn't met yet, the new batman adventures onwards is weird
Oh god every mention of Bruce's and Barbara's relationship in the DCAU makes my skin crawl. Why Bruce Timm? WHY?!
This channel is a testament to how Batman has affected us.
We've had so many movies focusing on the Bat himself, but I would love something that explores some of the bat family, like Dick and Tim.
Y’know, I really want this universe to have more and more installments
@Geranimo Yes, I want more installments
One of the best TNBA episodes
9:18 I think this moment is supposed to highlight that Batman cares and gives attention to criminals who want to improve. Him choosing to traumatize that man’s family was his way of “scaring him straight” (like-is this what you want? Cops or me breaking down you door, cuffing you in front of your wife and kid?), and Bruce giving him a job and checking in on him was showing that deep down, Batman does care about giving people a second chance who deserve it.
Rest in Peace, Kevin…
Never really thought this much people give a care about Batman and Robin or Bruce and Dick's story. It makes me proud to be DC fan.
I always find it sad when people dismiss Nightwing as the 'happy one' of all of Batman’s children. There is so much more to his character than the fact that makes jokes or is in a better mode than Bruce. He is in fact the one that consistently criticzes Bruce’s wrongdoings and the one that at the same time because of his pure existence changed Bruce. And the fact is, even if no one in realizes it, but Nightwing is very very similar to Bruce and in some aspects even better at manipulation and deception than Bruce is. It’s so interesting to me, because Nightwing seems to be the antithesis of Batman when in fact he is more like an alternate version of what Batman could’ve been.
It’s phenomenal how many in depth video essays have been made on animated Batman episodes. The show and the characters have incredible depth and meaning, beyond just entertaining the audience.
I think it furthers adds fuel to the notion Batman is more than a comic hero.
This episode, dare I say the mid half of the Animated Series and afterwards, wouldn’t be the same without Loren Lester. His acting made Robin stand out in every scene that was important to him, and it’s a big reason (for me, anyway) that the Animated Series is as good as it is. The characters and voices had so much passion in them that makes the show stand out amongst its peers, even to this day with cartoons of supposedly higher quality of animation.
would love more videos about nightwing, he is such an interisting character, the whole arc of him becoming just like bruce is always good, sidenote, his version in young justice is just perfectly done
The parallels between Robin's Reckoning and Old Wounds are visceral.
Damn this is a good video hit me right in the childhood
Robin had every right to punch Batman at the end of that episode.
I was listening to this while working, and when you got to the part where you compared Batman to an Asian parent, it really caught my attention because you nailed it.
Being half Vietnamese and Chinese, my parents always thought what they wanted was what I wanted, or when they had a chance to be a parents, they would go straight to the bigger picture. Being grown, I understand it better, but at the same time it would've been nice to have a parent when I actually needed it.
Great video and great essay, keep it up!
I'd say that they didn't have the opportunities that we had growing up and thus never understood the freedom to self-actualize that we seek. And they spent their lives fulfilling responsibilities.
They're not wrong in a way.
This is why night wing is my favorite super hero of all time . His story is so relatable
Honestly, rehearing all of these great episodes just further cements the idea that batman TAS was one of, if not, the best super hero cartoons evers. Im so lucky to have been able to grow up watching these shows as a young kid.
Great video on this topic. Dick Grayson was always one of my favorite DC characters.
I just really like how Nightwing looks in this show tbh
I like how nightwing and Harley are actually the most relatable.
Both work at circus, both being push by 'destructive' people, are the sidekicks, both had to become thier own person
and are evidently both really freaky in the sack XD
I mean, a guy would have to be crazy to want to fuck Harley...
and a girl would have to be crazy to want to fuck a member of the Bat family...
@@abigails4088 they do get married in future state, tho it hasn't happened yet(old woman harley) knightwing died in the field, apparently
@@abigails4088 90 percent of men must be crazy
Except Harley is evil. Dick isn’t. Big difference. You don’t see Dick participating in what Joker and Harley did to Tim Drake now do ya?
@@blacklivesorblackvotes2985 Harley turned more anti hero
It must be really frustrating working with or under Batman. He doesn’t owe anyone an explanation, he keeps people in the dark. He endangers people, puts the mission first.
Phenomenal episode. In my top ten. Severely underrated. The birth of Nightwing.
Goddamn it. You make me cry each time you post a video.
Thanks.
This was probably the best opening you have ever done. Well done!
This episode is a time favorite and not just because Robbins voice actor also did iron fist in avengers Earth’s mightiest heroes
What a powerful piece. I love these shows so much. You've definitely done them justice!!
I like how in the comics he asked Superman for advice
Old wounds was awesome FINALLY seeing Dick Grayson without the mask.
Dude the credits song (the "I was out of town" one) sounds so good on 2 times speed
Bloody hell, now I think I have to use the whole summer watching the animated series because this was so f****** good!
This is a perfect video! I remember when Titans came out everyone thought it was so funny that Dick said “Fuck Batman” when knowing these same stories and seeing it through this lense you can absolutely see why he would have a “fuck Batman” phase in his life. And the healing of wounds like this between Bruce and Dick across media is great because it allows both characters to grow. Dick is essentially Bruce’s first child and he wasn’t always perfect, even after Dick but he learns to be better for Tim and Damian. Despite Bruce Timm I feel like there’s even a lot to be said for Bruce’s fatherly relationship to the Batgirls as well that’s completely different to the Robins.
Really liking all these DCAU contents recently
I’ve watched rick and morty today. I’ve watched Assassination classroom. Both in their own ways, they are great.
Then I watched this. I just lost someone in my life. I watched your Lex luthor video. Your justice league unlimited video.
I can’t be a patreon member but from one aspiring writer to you, I was touched, moved, I felt myself feel I had a soul again.
Don’t underestimate yourself.
AC really rubbed me just right... and having Sonny play the main role like that was just perfect.
probably around time I re-watch it...
I hope you can find your "place" soon... sooner than the 2 years I'm pushing and still lost in that void of grief >.>
suddenly reminded of Bruce in the Harley series asking Shark about grief periods "is 30 years a normal amount of grieving time?"
"don't underestimate yourself"
I'll try.
Love your videos dude and Love the quality of videos and specially with the frequent uploads. Keep it up.
I remember watching this episode on a Sunday afternoon. Such a great episode
I like to think Dick became something of a big brother to Tim and also Damien.
This was amazingly well done
Nighting was 100% right. In the moment with the kid he was a Superhero in his own way.
Great video, thankyou for articulating the feelings many of us are afraid to face, being afraid of being someone else, so much so we become them, I struggle with this as I know do others and this video helped cushion some of the pain with a bit of understanding, maybe it's time to take trip back home, answer the call, or just check in because even those who may not say it love you. Thanks for that🙏🏽💪🏽💯
Batman is my favorite super hero. As an adult I’ve learned to relate to him
It's no wonder Bruce and Barbara's relationship seems like a bitter divorced couple in Batman Beyond.
Another cool level of duality between the new generation and old generation is the new guy being dragged in to work with the Joker, it’s a direct parallel to Jokers Backstory, Joker ended up getting involved with the Red Hood, no not Jason, and it was because he wanted to make easy money for his struggling family, the only difference was… the Joker because of the Joker that guy avoided the same fate, similar to how Dick avoided the same fate of Batman, because of Batman, dear god this show’s writing was way ahead of it’s time.
"Like an ASIAN parent".... me damn 🤨
Excellent analysis. I had more or less the same thoughts when I first saw the episode all those years ago.
For anyone whose familiar with Weaverdice or at least Wildbow's Worm, I've always thought this kind of situation would be interesting to explore as a trigger event. Imagine being a non-cape sidekick working for years alongside a cape like Batman and feeling driven into a corner by this sort of situation.
Tas has the 2nd Unhealthiest (after Crazy Steve) relationship between Batman and Dick Grayson.
In almost every reality Dick is the Heir apparent: looked up to by almost everyone in Universe, as well as one of it's most eligible bachelors.
In the Timmverse, he's a Loser.
The producers have a weird hatred of one of DC's most beloved characters.
Love your retrospectives!
Dick: Batgirl? I still cant believe it.What else have you been keeping from me?
Barbara: was the hair and eyes not a dead giveaway?
@Your_Host
Thanks I'm now starting to question that too.
RIP Kevin Conroy
Kind of reminds me of the movie Fences where Denzel as the dad is so cold when he speaks to his son that a father nowadays would rarely talk to a son so coldly. But that script was written back in the day. I know they’ll keep writing more Batman movies/episodes til we’re all in the dirt. But there’s always that part of Batman I feel that’s stuck in the generation he was originally written in. As my teacher once said, if our parents knew how to be better parents they would be.
I’m loving all this DCAU content. 👏
Your videos are always amazing. Thank you thank you thank you
Really interesting framing. I’ve never thought of Dick as Bruce’s son, almost more like a coach or friend.
He got the adoption papers. Stop making bruce younger than he actually is.
My favorite episode from the final season. As it's one of the few I wholeheartedly like.
Thx buddy, your channel is just what I need.
Pretty dark for a kids show yes
Bro crazy I was just thinking about these episodes… and how hard they hit when I was younger I was like no nightwing please talk to Batman he does care….then when it ended I felt reinvigorated and happy. Miss The DCAU everyday especially with the comics coming out now….just god damn shit on my childhood and badass comics I grew up with….
can we just pretend that the barabar batman thing NEVER HAPPENED. please
this is such a well made video and truly for the batman fans & those who can understand a meaningful story
This is one of my favorite BTAS/NABR episodes. That punch he gives batman is so good
"You THINk you did, but you dont know him like I do. He manipulates things, pulls strings! Anything to get what he wants!"
idk why but that statemnt from Dick was SUCH good delivery, and a perfect summarization of Batman's more shady side. Because ultimately its true. Bruce when to get what he wants will go to any lengths. To the point even his closest friends question wtf is wrong with you
This episode goes way too hard
Man, now I just need to go watch "Robin's Reckoning" again (as if it's not somehow become so burned into my brain that I could quote along with every clip in this video)...
And it's honestly been so long since I've seen any of the fourth season episodes that I completely forgot that's what Tim and Babs sounded like, lol. That was the season that made me realize that I didn't really care about Bruce/Batman in a general sense, only the version as portrayed in the first three seasons (and almost no where else that I've been able to find, sadly). Dick, on the other hand, I managed to like as both Robin and Nightwing, so I stuck around basically for him and him only. Wanting to know the comic basis for all of this was what eventually got me into Batfamily comics, though, so in the end I can't be too mad about the abrupt changes - been able to enjoy a lot more of Dick Grayson because of it.
When Bane was introduced, some critics felt that his creation was done solely to sell more comics. The reality was that his presence showed why it was so important for Batman to work with other people. He could be incapacitated or killed as a mere mortal but more importantly, he could also become colder, crueler and even cross “that” line. This episode showed why Dick, Tim and Barbara’s presence were so important. They were there to keep him in check.
These videos are deep. Bravo, Implicitly Pretentious!
4:50 this is how a father son dynamic will go if your father does not communicate well, has unrealistic expectations and lowkey controls you instead of guiding him.
This brought up childhood memories, and now remember.
Batgirl is the reason I like red heads with striking eyes.
This whole series was awesome if a had to say a "but" it would be Barbara x Bruce together that kinda ruin the dad and son dynamic of Bruce and Dick.
Knightwing is the chosen one. He deserves so much more
Wow only found you a week ago and almost watched everything...so glad I discovered you ❤️
"Ew, Bruce and Barbara is gross, she's too young!"
"She's 18"
"... >:("
The way he tells Robin off on the radio and says "BATMAN OUT" 😂😂
It has my all time favorite Joker line, “Hey! Do hit your kids? Oh, I do.
Masterfully done. How could I not subscribe!
Wayne would only share everything about him with those as superheroes but he took a level in his origin too far being psychotic