*THAT* is probably on of the top ten episodes period. And as stupid as it is there have been IRL criminals who didn't want to be killed by a random nobody, ala Che Guevara
What's sadder for Baby Doll, according to Harley, is that there was an option to receive treatment for her condition but her parents and agent turned it down so she could keep playing as children in films and shows. So she could have looked her age like she wanted, but the adults in her life made it impossible since it was too late when she could make the choice.
When did Harley say that? It doesn't ring a bell right now... maybe in *Batman: White Knight* ? That's the one time I remember those 2 interacting at all (well aside from that time Harley set Baby Doll with Gaggy at her party and they seemed to hit it off pretty well... t'was a couple months ago, in Harley's 30th Anniversary Special)
that's how things usually goes, parents forcing their own desires and vision upon their children. turning the children into victims of their parents. but children given the right amount of freedom with the good guidance and with the right amount of luck can make it far in life. which is why I haven't gotten that far, I got the good parents, but thanks to my rotten luck I didn't get the right amount of freedom thanks to crappy doctors.
Looking back Baby Doll really seems like one of the most disturbing episodes just because of how human it was. There wasn't a super-villain with powers or an agenda, just a woman who was disfigured by a rare disease and unable to cope with the world. The moment she drops the goofy persona and talks like an adult still gives me chills. That is the real her under the mask of Baby Doll she uses to shield herself from the world. And in the end it was all nothing more then an elaborate murder/suicide she was after.
I always known that the villains of the show were either insane or just evil, but a few of them like Baby Doll, Freeze and Two Face are/were people that needed serious therapy.
What's really tragic is that she could've become more than the character she was acting as but due to both her family and her doctor's greed, she lost her chance to grow. She got stuck as "baby doll" and was permanently put there by the very people she trusted. Sure, I don't agree with her actions but it's understandable why she did what she did.
@@leebulger7112 here's the cruel part: it was later revealed that she could've gotten treatment for her condition but her family refused it and bribed the doctor to never speak about it. So yes, she could've literally grown up but she was kept as "baby doll" because of how much money she was making.
Can we also remember that Harvey Dent was once Bruce Wayne's best friend in this series? Bruce tries so hard to save him then, afterward, help him, but is utterly unable to despite glimmers of hope here and there.
Which shows the side that people around a person suffering from severe degenerative mental illness can go through. No matter what you do, you lose them to it.
The saddest part about Baby Doll is that her serious acting attempt was pretty decent. But she was typecast as her sitcom characters and the people just completely ignored her as a person and treated her as her character.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that noticed! Her Macbeth acting wasn't half bad, but Robin sighed and rubbed his head. I wondered if he saw a 5 y/o baby instead of a grown woman, and if other people saw the same.
What could he do? He's not a psychiatrist. All he could do was make sure she gets the proper psychiatric help she needs at Arkham... not that that's saying much.
@@52Brickz-278 Where would you find a young, healty but headless body still alive? Even ignoring that in the real world the operation would at best makes her a quadruplegic because it’s not possible to attach correctly the neck nerves to another body, the sheer lack of disponibility of such a body would make the things difficult. It would be easier even to make an entire robotic body with ingrained vital support for the head just for her. And she would still have the head and face of a small child. So, even if done, she still wouldn’t appear like a normal adult, but just as an overgrown baby.
Read a fanfiction where Batman DOES help in a way, there's a kid he needs information from, but the kid won't talk to an adult, and they can't send in another kid his age to ask, even with coaching them through it, because they wouldn't understand... So Batman asks Baby Doll for help, amd she finds a way to help herself in the process...
The episode that punched me in the gut the most involving Batman was not from TAS, but from JLU. It's the episode where the Justice League takes on the Royal Flush gang and handily defeat them. All except Ace, who used her mind to create a maze and we're told she's in there and needs to be taken out. Waller insists that she needs to die, because her powers are too unstable and she's too much of a risk to too many people. Batman talks her into giving him the device that is supposed to end Ace's life and he heads into the maze. When he gets to Ace, he doesn't meet a powerful supervillain, but a sad, lonely little girl sitting on a swing, talking to Batman in a sad, but friendly tone. This is when we realize that Ace is not a villain at all, but a victim. Her powers were forced on her through experimentation and in the process of training them, she was robbed of her childhood by the government. As if all that tragedy isn't bad enough already, we also find out that her powers are causing her to die and that she only has a matter of hours left to live. She doesn't lash out against anyone or use her powers to seek revenge on the people that took her childhood and innocence away from her. No, in her final moments, all she wants is for someone to sit with her and hold her hand until she passes away, peacefully. The last thing she says to Batman is that she's scared. That episode is such a gut punch, man. Genuinely heartwrenching. For once, Batman doesn't do any fighting or masterful planning to defeat the villain. All he does is show up and offer his compassion to a girl who never got a chance to live her life. And for once, that's all it takes. All she wanted was someone to sit with. Someone who understood her pain and tragedy and was just there with her, offering the kindness of companionship. So that her last few hours in this world don't need to be filled with fear, rage, vengeance or loneliness. It still brings me to tears to this day and I'm in my goddamn thirties now. Still the best JLU episode to date and one of Batman's finest moments, even if it wasn't on his own show.
This is actually written into the back story of Terry mcginnis, the guy who takes over for Batman in Batman beyond; When Amanda Waller sees Batman walk out with Ace's lifeless corpse in his arms, she realizes that the Justice League will always need someone who is as fundamentally good and empathetic is Batman has proven to be to balance out the sometimes incredibly forceful personalities on the rest of the league. She then, in a extremely roundabout way, essentially clones Bruce Wayne and, pretty much completely accidentally, succeeds in having him become Bruce's successor when he retires.
That's why I liked the JL/JLU episodes so very much... they tried to bring that extra touch of "after hours" to the characters without ruining the "fun" of Superhero romps. I especially like the episode involving the Chthulhu rip-off as it features Solomon Grundy in this amazing moment of child's wisdom about his soul and whether or not he finally got it back.... Makes me tear up every time and I'm also in my god damn thirties. Slightly smiling face with smiling sad eyes and tears
You also overlooked the kid in 'I Am The Knight', who, due to Batman getting him out of the gang members' attack, decides to change his ways and move out of Gotham. He even thanks Batman, because he 'wouldn't even be alive if not for him', renewing Batman's own faith within himself.
Fun Fact: Japanese Studio Sunrise did the animation for that episode. Sunrise being the same studio responsible for the Gundam series. Sunrise, after learning valuable lessons from working on Batman, created their own anime in the late 90s called "Big O". Many people would call the Big O, "Anime Batman", because it stars a rich playboy orphan who has a butler, a friend in the police, and a femme fatale love interest. He always wears black, and has an ""alter ego"" in the form of a giant robot (the Big O) that he fights crime with.
@@nillynush4899 now that’s fun to know, being an older weeb. I used to have a sunrise art book that’s been lost to time.
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@@nillynush4899 A bit late but one, thankis for the anime to look up. And two, now that I have looked it up I got not even 30 seconds into a retrospective before the guy doing it says "Imagine if Bruce Wayne jumped into a giant mecha"
I’m extremely heartbroken our favorite voice actor has left us. I think many of us take his death really deep because we grew up watching this in the 90s. I’ve been literally obsessed with the animated series since I was 8 years old (now 29) but even today, I watch the series on Hbo , and I think this video made me realize that this show is so dark, tragic, and twisted that even adults can relate to them to a certain degree. Most of the villains turn evil because of some unfortunate life event.. this show was way WAY ahead of its time
He came along after I was in high school, but he's STILL the voice of Batman to me. I'm glad he got a chance to do it live action, even if it wasn't the best material
2,000 years from now, nobody shall even remember that Batman had ever existed. "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind" (Isaiah 65:17, KJV). Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Establish the Kingdom in Jerusalem and save the world from the tyranny of Democracy (Daniel 7:7, KJV)!
@@davidlafleche1142 you seriously underestimate the capacity of human storytelling. we're still making new stories about hercules more than 2200 years later. and save the world from democracy? the same democracy that guarantees you the freedom to worship your bronze age god of fire, war and vengeance?
@@rakninja Democracy does not mean "freedom." Democracy means "rule over the people." But which people get to rule? Certainly not you or I. If "Democracy" decides (by popular vote, of course) that all your children must be wards of the state and that parents must be licensed by the U.N., what then? You have no right to argue against it, because the majority vote took that right from you. We'll end up like China: The People's DEMOCRATIC Republic of China. We must have a Monarchy, because that's the only way to secure peace. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27, KJV).
@@davidlafleche1142 assuming you are from the US (i dont know why you'd link to so many things about voting if you were not,) then you forget that our forefathers left a monarchy because it was tyranny. perhaps you are unaware of how monarchies treat religions that are not "crown approved." see "the troubles" in ireland. while i'm sure you'd love a bloodbath to "cleanse the apostates," the only peace there is the peace of the grave. you like to quote the old testament. tell me, how did the ancient hebrews govern themselves before they begged yahweh to let them have a king so that the other nations would stop making fun of them? furthermore, there's nothing "democratic" about communist nations that have branded themselves as "the people's democratic republic of..." would you consider north korea (the people's democratic republic of korea,) to be democratic in ANY way? it's just like the nazis, "the national socialist's worker's party." that was just branding, they were in no way socialist, they were anti-socialist. they just branded themselves like that because socialism was popular. you want a monarchy? renounce your citizenship and become a subject of king charles. see how well your evangelical brand of christianity fares in a place where the church of england is the state religion. you take your freedoms for granted, freedoms millions of good men and woman have killed and died for. you tarnish their sacrifice. you are a living example of those not knowing history being doomed to repeat it.
Character development was definitely one of BTAS's strengths. Many old villains got new, more tragic back stories, and whole new villains with their own back stories were created, most indelibly, Harley Quinn, who was so good right out of the gate that I didn't know she had never existed before.
I think the episode where Clayface made a kid who then believed she was real gets a top spot. It ended with her being reabsorbed. Robin even calls it a murder. Heck the episode even started with some thugs accosting a pret teen girl in a very creepy manner.
The chemical was poured into him. Not onto him. The actor was forced to drink the altering cream. Thus, through ingestion, he became Clayface. It wasn't poured onto his face.
10:52 "You want to live like this? Abandoned and alone, a prisoner in a world you can see but never touch?! Old and infirm as you are, I'd trade a thousand of my frozen years for your worst day."
Im so glad Kevin Conroy was part of this amazing series and helped evolve Batman and his villains. He had the best roles and will always stand on top as the best Batman
R.I.P Kevin Conroy and Bless his friends and family through all the pain and hurt. I still say the animated Batman was the best and most comic like. The Ace dies one will always break my heart. Thanks @Marvelous Videos you remain a channel I am so glad I subbed to years ago for the niche fandom of so many of our favorite things.
It is heavily implied at the end of "Feat of Clay" that Clayface didn't loose control. Him "loosing control" was all a performance to fake his death. It was so good that even Batman got duped for a moment. This and his unstoppable body is what makes Matt Hagan one of the most terrifying villains in BTAS.
I'm 33 and Kevin's Batman was such a big part in my life.from the btas series on cartoon network when i was a kid to batman beyond,JL,the animated batman movies,arkham games....its so hard now to watch those or playing the games.thank you for everything Kevin Conroy.Rest In Peace. 🦇
HM: Eternal Youth. This episode is one of Poison Ivy’s best, and it always manages to creep me out. The story is twisted and as dark as they come, with plenty of hints about the diabolical truth hiding behind the sunshine and flowers. The imagery, the positions of pure terror and pain the victims are held in, the monstrous nature of their transformation are all disturbing in their own right, but what gets me is that Ivy has two followers in this episode, a pair of henchwomen named Lily and Violet who wholeheartedly support her unique brand of eco-terrorism. Ivy normally works alone, so the idea that she recruited these girls into this nightmarish plan, combined with the cult-like attitudes they both display when they’re not hiding behind skimpy Greek Goddess attire and wide, charming smiles is chilling. There is a happy ending for this story, but the journey is definitely creepy from the start. Another seriously dark one is The Underdwellers. This episode revolves around a young boy who refuses to speak, whom Bruce briefly takes in. This boy butts heads with Alfred and steals things, but eventually through him Batman learns of a secret “kingdom” in the sewers, where homeless orphan children work in squalor and silence. They are being “raised” by the Sewer King, who demands they tend to his every need, raise crops, and occasionally go to the streets above to steal for him. They are starving, and he makes them kneel and watch him eat luxurious meals. They are forbidden to speak even when injured, as “children are to be seen but not heard.” Should they step out of line? He has some sewer gators to take care of them. Batman eventually defeats the Sewer King and guides the children back into the light, which prompts their first words amid tears and smiles.
Yes! The Underdwellers. Batman was so pissed about how the kids were treated he had to remind himself to gather evidence. And he was willing to put down the Sewer King.
I remember the underdwellers episode, It was too dark even by kid standards, it felt like a subterfuge for Christianity, where the Sewer king is the literal devil making the children work like slaves and seeing him lay down misery upon misery while Batman comes and eventually saves them by guiding them into the light much like Jesus. Or I might be overthinking it as usual but that's what it felt like to me at the time.
The Sewer King tested Batman’s morals like nobody else. Bruce even contemplated breaking the strict code of never killing criminals he normally abides by for a minute, with how horrid he is.
So not only does Batman repeatedly send villains to Arkham, but he’s also diligent in making sure they are treated right while in there by exposing abusive staff. Damn. And people think Superman is the ultimate Boy Scout.
that's the best thing about Batman, he truly sees these villains as victims who ultimately could live out a peaceful life, therefore he saves them as well as the people they threaten to victimize. that being said, Superman isnt the one risking his hide half the time, so to me Batman is superior.
he believes in justice and redemption alongside fighting criminals, abusing the villains is a horrible crime in his mind even if they’re criminals themselves
@@UltimateGamerCC imagine being able to punch heads of anybody easily, or just by blowing on them. Batman and Superman complement each other in that way. Superman acts more humane than Batman, Batman is all about the mission; tons of psychologist and psychiatrist have analyzed Batman and have come to the conclusion that Batman is just as unhinged as the criminals he arrest. Most of all being that Batman being always prepared stem from him being paranoid to such a degree that he comes up with countless scenarios for which he makes plans. Most of these plans end up endangering the world such as Brother Eye and a plan on how to kill any superhero who crosses the line, but yet doesnt have contingency plans to kill any villains WTF?? Also his only accepting young kids as sidekick is cause he never actually grew up and the whole Im Batman comes from him never moving beyond his parents death, so he keeps training boys into adulthood for the mission. There a lot papers and studies about this, on how mental health providers would deal and diagnose Batman. Imagine a guy whos real identity is the Batman and uses Bruce Wayne as the mask to hide his true identity the bat.
@@mannyrobles3065 and who wouldnt be unhinged like Bruce is if they were in his shoes? Superdick has lost nothing, Batman has even suffered in relationships where Superdick has Lois Lane constantly all over him. what has Superman sacrificed? and Bruce was reluctant to bring others into his life, but they insisted on it, he didnt just pick people to replace him, he met people who suffered like him yet wanted to do the same thing he does, which is save people while trying to make Gotham a better place.
Batman- "Even if you have to kill everyone in the building to do it"? Mr. Freeze- "Think of it, Batman. To never again walk on a summer's day, with the hot wind in your face, or a warm hand to hold. Oooooh yes, I'd KILL for that". I swear I said "whoa" out loud the first time I heard that line. Amazing.
This episode and that treatment of yhe character turned him from a villain of the week to one of Batman's most well developed adversaries. My heart broke for him even as a kid
i always found baby doll as such a tragic figure, she was a women whos life was stolen from her because of the greed of the people around and her dreams and asperations were mocked and ridiculed due to her disease. Her whole episode was trying to recapture the time in her life where she had some sense of happiness and normality where she was seen as normal person and was applauded for her acting and her child like appearance ironically as she aged her child like appearance made it near impossible to be taken serious as an actress. When she comes to her sense and cries in batmans "arms" is a moment that still makes me sad to this day.
Rest in peace Kevin and Renee thanks for being the voices of the Batman and the Scarecrow. You bring them to life. I started watching Batman when I was 25 when they bring up the animated series and I said finally they bring it right and as a fan of the Batman Beyond The Voice will never be the same. Just like with Mel Blanc and Bugs Bunny. It's not the same without them guys
You missed one of the most disturbing ones. The one where Ace dies. A poor girl experimented on for her powers. The bat stays with her as she knows she is dying. That episode gets me every time.
Probably because that's in Justice League Unlimited, not Batman The Animated Series, but yes, that sequence is amazingly heartbreaking, especially since it was told from Amanda Waller's perspective.
@@ronsorage78 Actually for that act alone she essentially had him cloned and the clone is Terry mcginnis from Batman beyond Actually for that act alone she essentially had him cloned and the clone is Terry mcginnis from Batman beyond. It's both touching and creepy in an Amanda Waller way that she saw Batman as the sort of empathetic heart of the Justice League and wanted to ensure that no matter what happened to her there would always be a Batman on the Justice League.
Baby Doll hides among a group of children. How does Batman finds her? He shows himself in front of everybody and strikes a pose, causing all the kids to look and cheer, except for Baby Doll. Also her henchwoman was amazing, a true MVP. Even Robin praised her. Damn, what a show.
There is one dark silver lining for Grant Walker. In season 3, it was revealed that the process that gave Victor freeze his ‘immortality’ was not perfect and his body began rotting away. By the time he was able to stop it. The only thing left was his head. This means that grant will also go through the same process, and seeing as how nobody seem to care to fish them out of the ocean, he will eventually rot away entirely and die. So he won’t technically live forever, frozen in a block of ice in the middle of the ocean
@@MASTEROFEVIL by that time he’ll already be dead. Even being charitable and saying that the incident that turned Mr. freeze happened a year before his introduction that still means 4 to 5 years later, he was nothing more than a head. It was only until after the rot was fixed that he became truly immortal. Meaning, five years after that guy was frozen in a block of ice he’d be gone.
Though a lot of episodes were considered adult themed and concern whether or not the content would be too much for children, I am grateful DC was able to produce such memorable characters and stories. Baby Doll, Two-Face, Clay mask and Perchance to Dream are my favorites here.
It's been well over a decade since I've watched the series even though it was my shit as a kid...does that have to do with a robot or something and it gets destroyed in the end?
@@kilderok yes. It's about a HARDAC clone of Batman that believes it really is Bruce until it gets injured, and eventually kills itself when it thinks it's killed the real Batman.
Yea, that was a great one. Pretty damn fitting to imagine if a perfect robot clone was created of Batman, it'd self-destruct when it thought it took a life.
I'm so glad I got to see Kevin Conroy at a convention years ago. This was before the animated version of The Killing Joke had been released and he talked about how fans kept wanting him and Mark to do it. He also told stories about how he went to help the rescue workers after 9/11 and he ended up cooking for them, they didn't believe he was Batman till he did the "I am vengeance, I am the knight, I am Batman" speech and it made a grim situation a little brighter to those involved.
I'd have put Mad as a Hatter on this list. Not only is it a brilliant origin story for the Mad Hatter, but also touches on some seriously creepy issues about stalking and obsession
Honorable mention should be "Death of Batgirl". When Commissioner Gordon finds out that Barbara is Batgirl, and dies in his arms. His shock and rage spiral into vengeance towards Batman. He then mobilizes all of the GCPD. They mercilessly hunt the rest of bat family. In the end it was a Scarecrow induced nightmare. Barbara is so disturbed by this. That she wants to confess her identity to her father. He interrupts her. Letting her know that he loves her no matter what... that he loves all of them.
I headcanon that Commissioner Gordon already knows that Barbara is Batgirl, he’s keeping it a secret. Also, I love how this episode shows that Barbara’s worst fear isn’t her dying, but how her father would react to her death.
Baby Doll always got me, especially when she yelled at Batman, "Why couldn't you just let me make-believe?!" Because it's not like she had any choice with her condition. Everyone, even the adults of her life, including her own parents, didn't want to believe she was a grown woman trapped in a child's body. They wanted to believe she was a child forever. But while that might have been true with her body, it wasn't the truth with her mind. She always knew she was living under a delusion, but reality never gave her a chance to thrive outside of it. It's not like she didn't try too, but no one could look past her condition. "Love That Baby" was the only time when her condition was not a burden to her. And without any support what else was she supposed to turn to? Batman can't let her live under a delusion, but it's not like he doesn't understand why she was pushed over the edge. It's why they don't fight each other even after this episode.
Heart of Ice is just *chef's kiss* perfect. Its as close to a perfect story as one can tell. "Think of it Batman, to never again walk upon summer's day, with a warm hand to hold and a hot breeze in your face. Oh yes, I'd kill for that."
Honorable mention to Judgement Day, Growing Pains, Over The Edge , and Christmas with The Joker (mainly for the super depressing line about It's A Wonderful Life)
This show was just so smartly written. I'm not talking about how Batman solves the mysteries and stops the badguy, I'm talking about the setup and themes. They were truly ahead of the curve.
I like how Baby Doll's nemesis was basically Cousin Oliver (from The Brady Bunch) and based the actor's adult version on how the actor looked in real life. That said, that episode breaks my heart.
Baby Doll is the worst. She's trapped in that child's body forever. She tried to leave the role behind, but couldn't. Then spent decades alone. But the show never went away and she always stayed looking exactly as she had on the show. Somewhere over the years her mind snapped. She came to believe that fictional world was her real life. And she was willing to do anything to have that fantasy life back.
@@HookedOnSonics518 Absolutely with that extremely remorseful "I didn't mean to." You can really tell she did have a mental break from all her stress and problems. You can hear the sincerity of the realization of what she had done in her voice acting. That moment is what takes that episode from good to great. Prime example of how good voice acting can move people so emotionally.
@@yamiq2996 An adult forever trapped in a child's body. I would not wish such a fate on anyone, not even my worst enemy. It truly tugs at the heart strings.
i'd even argue everyone's favorite Batman, period. for there has been no one else who was a perfect fit for not only Batman, but Bruce Wayne as well, to this day no other actor has truly pulled that off.
This show will stand for decades to come as one of the VERY best comic book adaptions and those who voiced Iconic characters including the Dark Knight himself, will live on within their roles and leave a legacy that out weighs many other shows and their preformances, so this show will stand as one of the peaks of what possible for children's entertainment, while other shows will fade into obseurity because they were made with the intention of thinking "Kids are idiots!" but like animals, one should NEVER underestimate their interlect!
It's also the only episode where Batman laughs. Surprisingly Joker doesn't take notice of this, a guy who works hard to try and make Batman laugh and always fails, but here comes this novice who pulls the old fake bomb gag and the Bats lets out a chuckle.
What made “B:TAS” so great is that it got to the “Why” and “How” in regards to a lot of the villains, to the point where you wanted to help them opposed to imprisonment. Clayface, 2-Face, Baby Doll, Mr. Freeze…
I think the most disturbing one for me as a kid was the episode where robots were replacing people and taking over their lives. The title was “heart of steel” I think
A few corrections here: Its *Roland* Daggett, not Ronald. The boy Harvey punched as a kid turned out to be hospitalized for something unrelated to Harvey's punch. John Crane's experiments with the fear gas weren't really stated to be for any noble cause. We're shown that he's basically just torturing people out of a sick curiosity.
In Batman beyond their was the villain who uses sound to try and trick Bruce into thinking that he was crazy, Terry asks him how did he know he was being tricked? He responds with the voice referred to him as Bruce that's not how he calls himself Terry says I'm Batman now tell that to my subconscious he says to Terry That my favorite Batman moment
The other one I would’ve put on the list is the Underdwellers. I mean, the guy using children to his own benefits, them not knowing how to speak, being outcasts to the society, stealing for a living and their leader forcing them to do stuff. This episode is underrated to me and definitely tackles on an adult theme despite talking about children.
That episode ends bitterly. The wife loved her husband so much, begged and cried over him to become sane again, but his insanity was not cured. In fact, he felt at home when he was sent to the Asylum. I felt so bad for the wife.
Kevin Conroy is MY Batman. I watched the Adam West show when I was a kid but I wanted the gritty bad-ass from the comics. Kevin gave us that voice for the Dark Knight so perfectly. I fell in love with this series at 21 and it remains my all-time favorite at 51. My one regret os that I never got to meet the man himself. I had an opportunity to but his autograph online from him but zi dodn’t do it because I wanted to get it from him on-person. So much I would love to say to him but I will never get to. RIP, my hero.
12:43 - Small nitpick, its Roland Daggett, not Ronald Daggett. Of Daggett Industries. Also, I find it criminal that “Appointment in Crime Alley” “Catscratch Fever” “Tyger, Tyger” “Mudslide” “See No Evil” “His Silicon Soul” and most especially “The Forgotten” were not on the list.
Man, this show was good even today! So many dark themes yet they work well. Cartoons nowadays need to take risks like Batman: The Animated Series. I would do it since my 4 villains want to get my 2 main characters, a bear and a swan, but they can't. It's not a superhero story. It's about 2 friends having a good time and giving the villains what they deserve. Why? If you hurt either one or their friend, a female butterfly, you have to pay... with pain. Like Looney Tunes. We may have lost Kevin Conroy but he will always be Batman in my book. Glad I got the Blu Ray of the cartoon because I wanted to honor Kevin's work. Not just him but other actors like Alfred's and Mr. Freeze.
I mean, there are still great cartoons coming out today. She-Ra and Owl House were quite good, if you ask me and Avatar back during the 00s had also quite some dark themes and episodes. I personally don't like Steven Universe but nobody can say that it didn't at least touch some mature subjects.
Fun Fact. Scarecrow is the only Villain to have 3 different costume changes. The next time he appears he has a brand new and more permanent costume the remaining 2 seasons, before seasons 3 redesign.
I had a night terror of the Joker when I was a really young child. Either it set off an asthma attack, or was set off by an asthma attack, but I’ve never been more terrified of a cartoon character. I always loved the show, but it was hard for me to watch after that. I’m glad I went back to it as an adult.
I had this but with skeletons. To my young mind they were glaring and baring their teeth at me, a hostile action. I had a night terror so bad once that while I was being bitten by them in a dream, I woke up and could still feel the bruise-like pain where they were biting me after I awakened. In a twist, I decided I'm rather fond of them later.
Honestly, it would be hard to not be terrified of the Joker. Had the same problem too when I was little, but growing up and seeing how twisted he really is (in the comics especially), I'd be surprised if I didn't get an instant heart attack if I met someone like him in real life even now.
@@laraendlight9887 I HAVE known someone similar to the Joker in real life, it's not fun. Nope. More than one actually. My brothers cohort growing up was the closest approximation, I think. NO restraint. He'd commit crimes because "it was funny". Got out of prison once and went RIGHT back in because he couldn't resist the urge to expose himself at the post office. He was tasked (for some reason) by my brother to help my sister with something once, and when he got there, he disappeared into her bathroom. After too long, she knew something shady was occurring, and SURE ENOUGH mr. Joker boy was up there trying to stuff a lotion bottle up his ass. I wouldn't be surprised if he has murdered before while wearing that stupid grin of his "for the lulz" and never got caught. He's committed robbery, vandalism, credit fraud, property destruction and more just by power of suggestion. I watched my brother tell him to go give someone a lawn job when they were fresh out of teenhood ( drive his car on someone's lawn and destroy it with the wheels) and he just giggled, grinned, jumped in his big boat of an old car and turned their lawn to mud in broad daylight.
Let me get this straight, the Mad Hatter had Batman unconscious, and instead of killing or taking off his mask or anything, he just traps him in a simulation and hopes it will all turn out okay.
@@MasterKnightDH In some continuities, it is said that Batman's cowl is electrified. This is seen in Batman: Hush. During a chase with Batman and Catwoman, Hush manages to snipe Batman's grappling hook and sever it, causing Batman to fall, crack his skull on the pavement, and knock him unconscious. Nearby thugs notice this and attempt to unmask Batman, but his cowl electrifies them in response when they grab it.
I don't think Mad Hatter was a killer like The Joker or Two Face. The Mad Hatter just got off on mind control. Also there are several Batman villains who really don't care about his secret identity or who do know and won't say anything. The Joker doesn't care who Batman is because he just enjoys their interactions with each. Bane knows that Batman is really Bruce Wayne, but doesn't desire to publicly out him. Catwoman who is both a heroine and villainess, knows Batman's identity and has kept it quiet, even after he has had her arrested a number of times.
This was a great list...but im really disappointed because of an entry that definitely deserved a spot on this list. The episode where Poison Ivy decided to actually grow her family so she could live as close to a normal life as possible.
Honestly, it could have been interesting to see Lockup appear in Arkham City or Arkham Knight, it's like Azraphael, the Arkham Knight, but without the templar theme, could've even had a mission where Lockup has captured another minor rogue, and batman has to track him down before Lockup gets his version of justice
Excellent video! However, one thing I’ve gotta say is in my opinion the epsiode titled ‘The Underdwellers’ should’ve been on the list. It’s a disturbing epsiode about child abuse/neglect. A one time watch is enough for me for that one…
The story of Walker wanting to be immortal is most certainly shade thrown at Walt Disney. The character looks like him, wants to be immortal, wants to be wants to be in a cryogenic suit, owns a theme park, Walter (Walt) vs Walker…
I think the Charlie Colins (Jokers favor) is a bit darker when you think about it. The Joker didn't recognise one of his bombs being fake. The question is how the hell would Charlie know it was fake when even Joker himself couldn't tell. The simple answer is he didn't.
The dream episode is one of the most thought provoking ones. Imagine being angry and resentful towards the world and it effects your daily attitude and one day it changes and your life becomes the way you want it to and you’re happy but the world around you starts to crumble and people outside of your life aren’t happy anymore and society falls. Do you go back to being angry and resentful for the good of the world or choose your own happiness at the expense of others? It’s one of the most telling truths a spirit I think.
I love to see more of Lockup, it is a good allegory of should villains be killed or such as well as a sort of hero that does a much more dirty work then such
The Baby Doll episode really is saf. I mean just imagine not being able to age physically. You'd never be able to find love, go to bar, ride certain rides at parks and many other things. No wonder she just snapped after all that 😔
6 หลายเดือนก่อน
Hell even with ID can you imagine trying to buy ANYTHING age restricted, like say booze.
Heart of Ice is by far my top favorite, especially because it focuses on the fact that even through an accident Freeze did whatever it took to achieve revenge on the selfish greedy individual that took everything from him
Almost got em should be a batman movie itself not just 30 minutes... man the things they could of done in 2 hours and to find out it was a sting operation to save someone would of even been better as a movie. This did win an emmy and was nominated for an oscar but the title would make such a great movie on an animated Batman. Dedicated it to Sir Kevin Conroy as well have Mark hamil the main attraction again for the end and vilonet. hell it can even start as mark hamil talking about it then the other criminals join in then at the end mark hamil said something again then batman comes into play later on. I would buy that right away
Loved watching this show as a kid, but I did realize just how dark and graphic it was for something aimed at kids. Then again, the show was based on the Burton films, which explains its dark concept.
Collins did 2 things the Joker hates. He tricked the Joker, and made Batman chuckle. Not bad for a nobody XD
😆
That hurt joker to his soul!
Lol
@@roughy762004 Yep XD
He channelled his his GigaChad for it
*THAT* is probably on of the top ten episodes period. And as stupid as it is there have been IRL criminals who didn't want to be killed by a random nobody, ala Che Guevara
What's sadder for Baby Doll, according to Harley, is that there was an option to receive treatment for her condition but her parents and agent turned it down so she could keep playing as children in films and shows. So she could have looked her age like she wanted, but the adults in her life made it impossible since it was too late when she could make the choice.
That was one of the darker episodes to me.
When did Harley say that? It doesn't ring a bell right now... maybe in *Batman: White Knight* ? That's the one time I remember those 2 interacting at all
(well aside from that time Harley set Baby Doll with Gaggy at her party and they seemed to hit it off pretty well... t'was a couple months ago, in Harley's 30th Anniversary Special)
🗣I call cap 🧢 takeoff 🛫 voice 🗿
that's how things usually goes, parents forcing their own desires and vision upon their children.
turning the children into victims of their parents.
but children given the right amount of freedom with the good guidance and with the right amount of luck can make it far in life.
which is why I haven't gotten that far, I got the good parents, but thanks to my rotten luck I didn't get the right amount of freedom thanks to crappy doctors.
Only batman show that had detective stories like this
Looking back Baby Doll really seems like one of the most disturbing episodes just because of how human it was. There wasn't a super-villain with powers or an agenda, just a woman who was disfigured by a rare disease and unable to cope with the world. The moment she drops the goofy persona and talks like an adult still gives me chills. That is the real her under the mask of Baby Doll she uses to shield herself from the world. And in the end it was all nothing more then an elaborate murder/suicide she was after.
I always known that the villains of the show were either insane or just evil, but a few of them like Baby Doll, Freeze and Two Face are/were people that needed serious therapy.
Every time I see the end of that episode, I feel my chest tighten... TAS had that kind of power
What's really tragic is that she could've become more than the character she was acting as but due to both her family and her doctor's greed, she lost her chance to grow. She got stuck as "baby doll" and was permanently put there by the very people she trusted. Sure, I don't agree with her actions but it's understandable why she did what she did.
@@alexispalangeo8643 She might have been able to cope with her condition if she had a support system like her family.
@@leebulger7112 here's the cruel part: it was later revealed that she could've gotten treatment for her condition but her family refused it and bribed the doctor to never speak about it. So yes, she could've literally grown up but she was kept as "baby doll" because of how much money she was making.
Can we also remember that Harvey Dent was once Bruce Wayne's best friend in this series? Bruce tries so hard to save him then, afterward, help him, but is utterly unable to despite glimmers of hope here and there.
Which shows the side that people around a person suffering from severe degenerative mental illness can go through. No matter what you do, you lose them to it.
The saddest part about Baby Doll is that her serious acting attempt was pretty decent. But she was typecast as her sitcom characters and the people just completely ignored her as a person and treated her as her character.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that noticed! Her Macbeth acting wasn't half bad, but Robin sighed and rubbed his head. I wondered if he saw a 5 y/o baby instead of a grown woman, and if other people saw the same.
When she sees what she would’ve looked like if she didn’t have her condition in the mirror, then shatters the mirror, it makes you feel bad about her.
I really wish Batman could’ve helped Baby Doll due to their slight similarity
Batman was robbed of his childhood
Baby Doll can’t escape hers
What could he do? He's not a psychiatrist. All he could do was make sure she gets the proper psychiatric help she needs at Arkham... not that that's saying much.
There is a surgery that can have her head swapped to another bodie
@@52Brickz-278
Where would you find a young, healty but headless body still alive? Even ignoring that in the real world the operation would at best makes her a quadruplegic because it’s not possible to attach correctly the neck nerves to another body, the sheer lack of disponibility of such a body would make the things difficult. It would be easier even to make an entire robotic body with ingrained vital support for the head just for her.
And she would still have the head and face of a small child. So, even if done, she still wouldn’t appear like a normal adult, but just as an overgrown baby.
Read a fanfiction where Batman DOES help in a way, there's a kid he needs information from, but the kid won't talk to an adult, and they can't send in another kid his age to ask, even with coaching them through it, because they wouldn't understand... So Batman asks Baby Doll for help, amd she finds a way to help herself in the process...
@@GabrielusPrime Cool story, bro
The episode that punched me in the gut the most involving Batman was not from TAS, but from JLU. It's the episode where the Justice League takes on the Royal Flush gang and handily defeat them. All except Ace, who used her mind to create a maze and we're told she's in there and needs to be taken out. Waller insists that she needs to die, because her powers are too unstable and she's too much of a risk to too many people. Batman talks her into giving him the device that is supposed to end Ace's life and he heads into the maze. When he gets to Ace, he doesn't meet a powerful supervillain, but a sad, lonely little girl sitting on a swing, talking to Batman in a sad, but friendly tone. This is when we realize that Ace is not a villain at all, but a victim. Her powers were forced on her through experimentation and in the process of training them, she was robbed of her childhood by the government. As if all that tragedy isn't bad enough already, we also find out that her powers are causing her to die and that she only has a matter of hours left to live. She doesn't lash out against anyone or use her powers to seek revenge on the people that took her childhood and innocence away from her. No, in her final moments, all she wants is for someone to sit with her and hold her hand until she passes away, peacefully. The last thing she says to Batman is that she's scared.
That episode is such a gut punch, man. Genuinely heartwrenching. For once, Batman doesn't do any fighting or masterful planning to defeat the villain. All he does is show up and offer his compassion to a girl who never got a chance to live her life. And for once, that's all it takes. All she wanted was someone to sit with. Someone who understood her pain and tragedy and was just there with her, offering the kindness of companionship. So that her last few hours in this world don't need to be filled with fear, rage, vengeance or loneliness. It still brings me to tears to this day and I'm in my goddamn thirties now. Still the best JLU episode to date and one of Batman's finest moments, even if it wasn't on his own show.
In memory of Ace, Bruce would name his dog later in life after her...and then Ace the dog would come to combat both the Walker RFG and Joker Beyond.
Bruce would've adopted Ace if he had been able to save her.
This is actually written into the back story of Terry mcginnis, the guy who takes over for Batman in Batman beyond; When Amanda Waller sees Batman walk out with Ace's lifeless corpse in his arms, she realizes that the Justice League will always need someone who is as fundamentally good and empathetic is Batman has proven to be to balance out the sometimes incredibly forceful personalities on the rest of the league.
She then, in a extremely roundabout way, essentially clones Bruce Wayne and, pretty much completely accidentally, succeeds in having him become Bruce's successor when he retires.
That's why I liked the JL/JLU episodes so very much... they tried to bring that extra touch of "after hours" to the characters without ruining the "fun" of Superhero romps. I especially like the episode involving the Chthulhu rip-off as it features Solomon Grundy in this amazing moment of child's wisdom about his soul and whether or not he finally got it back.... Makes me tear up every time and I'm also in my god damn thirties. Slightly smiling face with smiling sad eyes and tears
One of the times he showed himself to be worth of the title of Knight.
You also overlooked the kid in 'I Am The Knight', who, due to Batman getting him out of the gang members' attack, decides to change his ways and move out of Gotham. He even thanks Batman, because he 'wouldn't even be alive if not for him', renewing Batman's own faith within himself.
Fun Fact: Japanese Studio Sunrise did the animation for that episode. Sunrise being the same studio responsible for the Gundam series. Sunrise, after learning valuable lessons from working on Batman, created their own anime in the late 90s called "Big O". Many people would call the Big O, "Anime Batman", because it stars a rich playboy orphan who has a butler, a friend in the police, and a femme fatale love interest. He always wears black, and has an ""alter ego"" in the form of a giant robot (the Big O) that he fights crime with.
@@nillynush4899 very cool,this anime Big O is very good
Well that’s not really dark. Kinda just a wholesome thing.
@@nillynush4899 now that’s fun to know, being an older weeb. I used to have a sunrise art book that’s been lost to time.
@@nillynush4899 A bit late but one, thankis for the anime to look up.
And two, now that I have looked it up I got not even 30 seconds into a retrospective before the guy doing it says "Imagine if Bruce Wayne jumped into a giant mecha"
I’m extremely heartbroken our favorite voice actor has left us. I think many of us take his death really deep because we grew up watching this in the 90s. I’ve been literally obsessed with the animated series since I was 8 years old (now 29) but even today, I watch the series on Hbo , and I think this video made me realize that this show is so dark, tragic, and twisted that even adults can relate to them to a certain degree. Most of the villains turn evil because of some unfortunate life event.. this show was way WAY ahead of its time
He came along after I was in high school, but he's STILL the voice of Batman to me.
I'm glad he got a chance to do it live action, even if it wasn't the best material
2,000 years from now, nobody shall even remember that Batman had ever existed. "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind" (Isaiah 65:17, KJV). Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Establish the Kingdom in Jerusalem and save the world from the tyranny of Democracy (Daniel 7:7, KJV)!
@@davidlafleche1142 you seriously underestimate the capacity of human storytelling. we're still making new stories about hercules more than 2200 years later.
and save the world from democracy? the same democracy that guarantees you the freedom to worship your bronze age god of fire, war and vengeance?
@@rakninja Democracy does not mean "freedom." Democracy means "rule over the people." But which people get to rule? Certainly not you or I. If "Democracy" decides (by popular vote, of course) that all your children must be wards of the state and that parents must be licensed by the U.N., what then? You have no right to argue against it, because the majority vote took that right from you. We'll end up like China: The People's DEMOCRATIC Republic of China.
We must have a Monarchy, because that's the only way to secure peace. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27, KJV).
@@davidlafleche1142 assuming you are from the US (i dont know why you'd link to so many things about voting if you were not,) then you forget that our forefathers left a monarchy because it was tyranny.
perhaps you are unaware of how monarchies treat religions that are not "crown approved." see "the troubles" in ireland. while i'm sure you'd love a bloodbath to "cleanse the apostates," the only peace there is the peace of the grave.
you like to quote the old testament. tell me, how did the ancient hebrews govern themselves before they begged yahweh to let them have a king so that the other nations would stop making fun of them?
furthermore, there's nothing "democratic" about communist nations that have branded themselves as "the people's democratic republic of..." would you consider north korea (the people's democratic republic of korea,) to be democratic in ANY way?
it's just like the nazis, "the national socialist's worker's party." that was just branding, they were in no way socialist, they were anti-socialist. they just branded themselves like that because socialism was popular.
you want a monarchy? renounce your citizenship and become a subject of king charles. see how well your evangelical brand of christianity fares in a place where the church of england is the state religion.
you take your freedoms for granted, freedoms millions of good men and woman have killed and died for. you tarnish their sacrifice. you are a living example of those not knowing history being doomed to repeat it.
Character development was definitely one of BTAS's strengths. Many old villains got new, more tragic back stories, and whole new villains with their own back stories were created, most indelibly, Harley Quinn, who was so good right out of the gate that I didn't know she had never existed before.
I think the episode where Clayface made a kid who then believed she was real gets a top spot. It ended with her being reabsorbed. Robin even calls it a murder. Heck the episode even started with some thugs accosting a pret teen girl in a very creepy manner.
I was looking for a comment about this. Glad you brought it up!
That Episode was so dark and sad. It made me cry.
I am suprised it is not in here it was the first thing that came to my mind
Curious what that episode was called
@@Jump-Shack 'Growing Pains'
The chemical was poured into him. Not onto him. The actor was forced to drink the altering cream. Thus, through ingestion, he became Clayface. It wasn't poured onto his face.
He wasn't forced to. The idiot just didn't keep his mouth shut 😅
Ah! Never realized until now. I'll have to rewatch that episode
10:52 "You want to live like this? Abandoned and alone, a prisoner in a world you can see but never touch?! Old and infirm as you are, I'd trade a thousand of my frozen years for your worst day."
That speech by Mr. Freeze hits different…
Im so glad Kevin Conroy was part of this amazing series and helped evolve Batman and his villains. He had the best roles and will always stand on top as the best Batman
R.I.P Kevin Conroy and Bless his friends and family through all the pain and hurt. I still say the animated Batman was the best and most comic like. The Ace dies one will always break my heart. Thanks @Marvelous Videos you remain a channel I am so glad I subbed to years ago for the niche fandom of so many of our favorite things.
It is heavily implied at the end of "Feat of Clay" that Clayface didn't loose control. Him "loosing control" was all a performance to fake his death. It was so good that even Batman got duped for a moment. This and his unstoppable body is what makes Matt Hagan one of the most terrifying villains in BTAS.
RIP Kevin Conroy, he wasnt just a great Batman, he was THE Batman.
I'm 33 and Kevin's Batman was such a big part in my life.from the btas series on cartoon network when i was a kid to batman beyond,JL,the animated batman movies,arkham games....its so hard now to watch those or playing the games.thank you for everything Kevin Conroy.Rest In Peace. 🦇
Mr Freeze and Baby Doll are the two saddest back stories
Agreed
HM: Eternal Youth. This episode is one of Poison Ivy’s best, and it always manages to creep me out. The story is twisted and as dark as they come, with plenty of hints about the diabolical truth hiding behind the sunshine and flowers. The imagery, the positions of pure terror and pain the victims are held in, the monstrous nature of their transformation are all disturbing in their own right, but what gets me is that Ivy has two followers in this episode, a pair of henchwomen named Lily and Violet who wholeheartedly support her unique brand of eco-terrorism. Ivy normally works alone, so the idea that she recruited these girls into this nightmarish plan, combined with the cult-like attitudes they both display when they’re not hiding behind skimpy Greek Goddess attire and wide, charming smiles is chilling. There is a happy ending for this story, but the journey is definitely creepy from the start.
Another seriously dark one is The Underdwellers. This episode revolves around a young boy who refuses to speak, whom Bruce briefly takes in. This boy butts heads with Alfred and steals things, but eventually through him Batman learns of a secret “kingdom” in the sewers, where homeless orphan children work in squalor and silence. They are being “raised” by the Sewer King, who demands they tend to his every need, raise crops, and occasionally go to the streets above to steal for him. They are starving, and he makes them kneel and watch him eat luxurious meals. They are forbidden to speak even when injured, as “children are to be seen but not heard.” Should they step out of line? He has some sewer gators to take care of them. Batman eventually defeats the Sewer King and guides the children back into the light, which prompts their first words amid tears and smiles.
Yes! The Underdwellers. Batman was so pissed about how the kids were treated he had to remind himself to gather evidence. And he was willing to put down the Sewer King.
Both of these eps where really dark.
I remember the underdwellers episode, It was too dark even by kid standards, it felt like a subterfuge for Christianity, where the Sewer king is the literal devil making the children work like slaves and seeing him lay down misery upon misery while Batman comes and eventually saves them by guiding them into the light much like Jesus. Or I might be overthinking it as usual but that's what it felt like to me at the time.
The Sewer King tested Batman’s morals like nobody else. Bruce even contemplated breaking the strict code of never killing criminals he normally abides by for a minute, with how horrid he is.
So not only does Batman repeatedly send villains to Arkham, but he’s also diligent in making sure they are treated right while in there by exposing abusive staff. Damn. And people think Superman is the ultimate Boy Scout.
Even if it’s a snowball’s chance in Hell, if there’s a chance they can be saved/reformed, it means everything to Batman that they have that chance.
that's the best thing about Batman, he truly sees these villains as victims who ultimately could live out a peaceful life, therefore he saves them as well as the people they threaten to victimize.
that being said, Superman isnt the one risking his hide half the time, so to me Batman is superior.
he believes in justice and redemption alongside fighting criminals, abusing the villains is a horrible crime in his mind even if they’re criminals themselves
@@UltimateGamerCC imagine being able to punch heads of anybody easily, or just by blowing on them. Batman and Superman complement each other in that way. Superman acts more humane than Batman, Batman is all about the mission; tons of psychologist and psychiatrist have analyzed Batman and have come to the conclusion that Batman is just as unhinged as the criminals he arrest. Most of all being that Batman being always prepared stem from him being paranoid to such a degree that he comes up with countless scenarios for which he makes plans. Most of these plans end up endangering the world such as Brother Eye and a plan on how to kill any superhero who crosses the line, but yet doesnt have contingency plans to kill any villains WTF?? Also his only accepting young kids as sidekick is cause he never actually grew up and the whole Im Batman comes from him never moving beyond his parents death, so he keeps training boys into adulthood for the mission. There a lot papers and studies about this, on how mental health providers would deal and diagnose Batman. Imagine a guy whos real identity is the Batman and uses Bruce Wayne as the mask to hide his true identity the bat.
@@mannyrobles3065 and who wouldnt be unhinged like Bruce is if they were in his shoes? Superdick has lost nothing, Batman has even suffered in relationships where Superdick has Lois Lane constantly all over him. what has Superman sacrificed? and Bruce was reluctant to bring others into his life, but they insisted on it, he didnt just pick people to replace him, he met people who suffered like him yet wanted to do the same thing he does, which is save people while trying to make Gotham a better place.
Batman- "Even if you have to kill everyone in the building to do it"?
Mr. Freeze- "Think of it, Batman. To never again walk on a summer's day, with the hot wind in your face, or a warm hand to hold. Oooooh yes, I'd KILL for that". I swear I said "whoa" out loud the first time I heard that line. Amazing.
This episode and that treatment of yhe character turned him from a villain of the week to one of Batman's most well developed adversaries. My heart broke for him even as a kid
It made Mr. Freeze’s death in Batman Beyond hurt a bit and yet hope he got to hold Nora’s hand again on a warm summer day…
Yeah, the Mr. Freeze episode made me feel emphatic for his character. Good stuff.
Watched it on HBO Max yesterday. Here I am at 42 and that episode still gives me chills like when I saw it about 30 some years later.
@@completistjunky You and me both. I have the DVDs, but darn... that episode is so well-written...
Baby doll is definitely one of those episodes that as a kid really had me in shambles after watching.
That whole thing was brutal and a testament to the show's writers
i always found baby doll as such a tragic figure, she was a women whos life was stolen from her because of the greed of the people around and her dreams and asperations were mocked and ridiculed due to her disease. Her whole episode was trying to recapture the time in her life where she had some sense of happiness and normality where she was seen as normal person and was applauded for her acting and her child like appearance ironically as she aged her child like appearance made it near impossible to be taken serious as an actress. When she comes to her sense and cries in batmans "arms" is a moment that still makes me sad to this day.
R.I.P. Kevin Conroy: the one true batman that fans will always remember.
Rest in peace Kevin and Renee thanks for being the voices of the Batman and the Scarecrow. You bring them to life. I started watching Batman when I was 25 when they bring up the animated series and I said finally they bring it right and as a fan of the Batman Beyond The Voice will never be the same. Just like with Mel Blanc and Bugs Bunny. It's not the same without them guys
It is the tragic origin stories that make Batman's villains so compelling.
Also Spiderman villains have tragic origins
You missed one of the most disturbing ones. The one where Ace dies. A poor girl experimented on for her powers. The bat stays with her as she knows she is dying. That episode gets me every time.
Probably because that's in Justice League Unlimited, not Batman The Animated Series, but yes, that sequence is amazingly heartbreaking, especially since it was told from Amanda Waller's perspective.
Yeah. You don't see her give any sort of praise to him much. Mostly a grudging respect for an equally intelligent person.
@@ronsorage78 Actually for that act alone she essentially had him cloned and the clone is Terry mcginnis from Batman beyond Actually for that act alone she essentially had him cloned and the clone is Terry mcginnis from Batman beyond.
It's both touching and creepy in an Amanda Waller way that she saw Batman as the sort of empathetic heart of the Justice League and wanted to ensure that no matter what happened to her there would always be a Batman on the Justice League.
I mean...she isn't wrong really.
To me nothing will be as heartbreaking as hearing “will you stay with me I’m scared” and he holds her at the end
Baby Doll hides among a group of children. How does Batman finds her? He shows himself in front of everybody and strikes a pose, causing all the kids to look and cheer, except for Baby Doll. Also her henchwoman was amazing, a true MVP. Even Robin praised her.
Damn, what a show.
RIP Kevin Conroy, and thank you for being the voice of Batman.
There is one dark silver lining for Grant Walker.
In season 3, it was revealed that the process that gave Victor freeze his ‘immortality’ was not perfect and his body began rotting away. By the time he was able to stop it. The only thing left was his head.
This means that grant will also go through the same process, and seeing as how nobody seem to care to fish them out of the ocean, he will eventually rot away entirely and die. So he won’t technically live forever, frozen in a block of ice in the middle of the ocean
That’s an extremely horrible way to die
Global warming will thaw him out eventually
@@MASTEROFEVIL by that time he’ll already be dead.
Even being charitable and saying that the incident that turned Mr. freeze happened a year before his introduction that still means 4 to 5 years later, he was nothing more than a head.
It was only until after the rot was fixed that he became truly immortal.
Meaning, five years after that guy was frozen in a block of ice he’d be gone.
Grant Walker Would Wokr as New MR Freeze.
Though a lot of episodes were considered adult themed and concern whether or not the content would be too much for children, I am grateful DC was able to produce such memorable characters and stories. Baby Doll, Two-Face, Clay mask and Perchance to Dream are my favorites here.
The characters were interesting, the storylines were engaging and made you feel or think.
I can't believe you didn't include "His Silicon Soul." That is a woefully underrated episode
It's been well over a decade since I've watched the series even though it was my shit as a kid...does that have to do with a robot or something and it gets destroyed in the end?
@@kilderok yes. It's about a HARDAC clone of Batman that believes it really is Bruce until it gets injured, and eventually kills itself when it thinks it's killed the real Batman.
@@sailordaigurren8225 OOF
I was hoping that was going to be on this list. That one stuck with me as a kid.
Yea, that was a great one. Pretty damn fitting to imagine if a perfect robot clone was created of Batman, it'd self-destruct when it thought it took a life.
I'm so glad I got to see Kevin Conroy at a convention years ago. This was before the animated version of The Killing Joke had been released and he talked about how fans kept wanting him and Mark to do it. He also told stories about how he went to help the rescue workers after 9/11 and he ended up cooking for them, they didn't believe he was Batman till he did the "I am vengeance, I am the knight, I am Batman" speech and it made a grim situation a little brighter to those involved.
I'd have put Mad as a Hatter on this list. Not only is it a brilliant origin story for the Mad Hatter, but also touches on some seriously creepy issues about stalking and obsession
As a kid I would run home from school to watch this everyday. Good times
Honorable mention should be "Death of Batgirl". When Commissioner Gordon finds out that Barbara is Batgirl, and dies in his arms. His shock and rage spiral into vengeance towards Batman. He then mobilizes all of the GCPD. They mercilessly hunt the rest of bat family.
In the end it was a Scarecrow induced nightmare. Barbara is so disturbed by this. That she wants to confess her identity to her father. He interrupts her. Letting her know that he loves her no matter what... that he loves all of them.
over the edge is a great episode in the scarecrow gordon even hires Bane to catch batman
I headcanon that Commissioner Gordon already knows that Barbara is Batgirl, he’s keeping it a secret. Also, I love how this episode shows that Barbara’s worst fear isn’t her dying, but how her father would react to her death.
@@tysondennis1016 it pretty much confirms it in the end of over the edge
Baby Doll always got me, especially when she yelled at Batman, "Why couldn't you just let me make-believe?!"
Because it's not like she had any choice with her condition. Everyone, even the adults of her life, including her own parents, didn't want to believe she was a grown woman trapped in a child's body. They wanted to believe she was a child forever. But while that might have been true with her body, it wasn't the truth with her mind. She always knew she was living under a delusion, but reality never gave her a chance to thrive outside of it. It's not like she didn't try too, but no one could look past her condition.
"Love That Baby" was the only time when her condition was not a burden to her. And without any support what else was she supposed to turn to? Batman can't let her live under a delusion, but it's not like he doesn't understand why she was pushed over the edge. It's why they don't fight each other even after this episode.
Heart of Ice is just *chef's kiss* perfect. Its as close to a perfect story as one can tell. "Think of it Batman, to never again walk upon summer's day, with a warm hand to hold and a hot breeze in your face. Oh yes, I'd kill for that."
It defined Mr. Freeze for the next 30+ years
I reminisced very fondly on several episodes. Everyone who gave their passion to bringing this show to life is and will be deeply missed.
If there were more shows like this today, we wouldn’t see as many people going “CarTOOns aRe fOR KIds.”
Rest in peace Mr Conroy 🙏
her henchwoman is named Marian (Mary Ann) but looks like Ginger, while her henchmen look like Gilligan and the Skipper.
Honorable mention to Judgement Day, Growing Pains, Over The Edge , and Christmas with The Joker (mainly for the super depressing line about It's A Wonderful Life)
This show was just so smartly written. I'm not talking about how Batman solves the mysteries and stops the badguy, I'm talking about the setup and themes.
They were truly ahead of the curve.
I like how Baby Doll's nemesis was basically Cousin Oliver (from The Brady Bunch) and based the actor's adult version on how the actor looked in real life.
That said, that episode breaks my heart.
The two male adults are modeled after Gilligan and the Skipper from "Gilligan's Island".
Baby Doll is the worst. She's trapped in that child's body forever. She tried to leave the role behind, but couldn't. Then spent decades alone. But the show never went away and she always stayed looking exactly as she had on the show. Somewhere over the years her mind snapped. She came to believe that fictional world was her real life. And she was willing to do anything to have that fantasy life back.
She needs help
All of these are classics. Every one of them.
The baby doll episode legit had me crying as a kid. You can't help but feel bad for her.
That last scene always haunts me. She's sobbing while Batman silently comforts her.
@@HookedOnSonics518 Absolutely with that extremely remorseful "I didn't mean to." You can really tell she did have a mental break from all her stress and problems. You can hear the sincerity of the realization of what she had done in her voice acting. That moment is what takes that episode from good to great. Prime example of how good voice acting can move people so emotionally.
@@yamiq2996 An adult forever trapped in a child's body. I would not wish such a fate on anyone, not even my worst enemy. It truly tugs at the heart strings.
RIP Kevin Conroy pretty much everyones Animated Batman
i'd even argue everyone's favorite Batman, period. for there has been no one else who was a perfect fit for not only Batman, but Bruce Wayne as well, to this day no other actor has truly pulled that off.
"Perchance to dream" batman's version of " for the man who has everything"
This show will stand for decades to come as one of the VERY best comic book adaptions and those who voiced Iconic characters including the Dark Knight himself, will live on within their roles and leave a legacy that out weighs many other shows and their preformances, so this show will stand as one of the peaks of what possible for children's entertainment, while other shows will fade into obseurity because they were made with the intention of thinking "Kids are idiots!" but like animals, one should NEVER underestimate their interlect!
And lest we forget, the episode with Charlie was also the the first appearance with the now-iconic Harley Quinn... 😏
It's also the only episode where Batman laughs. Surprisingly Joker doesn't take notice of this, a guy who works hard to try and make Batman laugh and always fails, but here comes this novice who pulls the old fake bomb gag and the Bats lets out a chuckle.
@@ExplorerDS6789 nope, there was another where he laughed…
@@ExplorerDS6789 Try Mad Love, he actually laughed for a good few seconds, it was scary af 🤣
What made “B:TAS” so great is that it got to the “Why” and “How” in regards to a lot of the villains, to the point where you wanted to help them opposed to imprisonment. Clayface, 2-Face, Baby Doll, Mr. Freeze…
The baby doll episode was probably the most surreal but also the most grounded.
Feat of Clay was one of the least played episodes in reruns, because the networks thought it was so horrific.
So if Bruce was under the influence of the fear toxin but overcame his fears doesn't that mean the scarecrows experiment worked?
I think the most disturbing one for me as a kid was the episode where robots were replacing people and taking over their lives. The title was “heart of steel” I think
A few corrections here: Its *Roland* Daggett, not Ronald. The boy Harvey punched as a kid turned out to be hospitalized for something unrelated to Harvey's punch. John Crane's experiments with the fear gas weren't really stated to be for any noble cause. We're shown that he's basically just torturing people out of a sick curiosity.
In Batman beyond their was the villain who uses sound to try and trick Bruce into thinking that he was crazy, Terry asks him how did he know he was being tricked? He responds with the voice referred to him as Bruce that's not how he calls himself Terry says I'm Batman now tell that to my subconscious he says to Terry
That my favorite Batman moment
RIP Kevin Conroy
You will always be my Batman❤️
I think that Joker's Favor is my favorite episode. What Charlie did to the Joker always has me laughing.
The other one I would’ve put on the list is the Underdwellers. I mean, the guy using children to his own benefits, them not knowing how to speak, being outcasts to the society, stealing for a living and their leader forcing them to do stuff. This episode is underrated to me and definitely tackles on an adult theme despite talking about children.
Baby doll was a sad story of real issues
But, Mr. Freeze story has, for the most part, been the same which makes it even more sad.
Odd part is that one could easily make a part 2. The dude who thought he was Zeus, the actress, etc.
That episode ends bitterly. The wife loved her husband so much, begged and cried over him to become sane again, but his insanity was not cured. In fact, he felt at home when he was sent to the Asylum.
I felt so bad for the wife.
Kevin Conroy is MY Batman. I watched the Adam West show when I was a kid but I wanted the gritty bad-ass from the comics. Kevin gave us that voice for the Dark Knight so perfectly. I fell in love with this series at 21 and it remains my all-time favorite at 51. My one regret os that I never got to meet the man himself. I had an opportunity to but his autograph online from him but zi dodn’t do it because I wanted to get it from him on-person. So much I would love to say to him but I will never get to. RIP, my hero.
12:43 - Small nitpick, its Roland Daggett, not Ronald Daggett. Of Daggett Industries. Also, I find it criminal that “Appointment in Crime Alley” “Catscratch Fever” “Tyger, Tyger” “Mudslide” “See No Evil” “His Silicon Soul” and most especially “The Forgotten” were not on the list.
Lmao Baby Doll hired Gilligan And Skipper 😂
Man, this show was good even today! So many dark themes yet they work well. Cartoons nowadays need to take risks like Batman: The Animated Series. I would do it since my 4 villains want to get my 2 main characters, a bear and a swan, but they can't. It's not a superhero story. It's about 2 friends having a good time and giving the villains what they deserve. Why? If you hurt either one or their friend, a female butterfly, you have to pay... with pain. Like Looney Tunes.
We may have lost Kevin Conroy but he will always be Batman in my book. Glad I got the Blu Ray of the cartoon because I wanted to honor Kevin's work. Not just him but other actors like Alfred's and Mr. Freeze.
I mean, there are still great cartoons coming out today. She-Ra and Owl House were quite good, if you ask me and Avatar back during the 00s had also quite some dark themes and episodes. I personally don't like Steven Universe but nobody can say that it didn't at least touch some mature subjects.
Found the furry
@@kilderok What are you talking about?
@@Matt-Rat Your story up there. All animals lmao
@@kilderok Oh, okay. Not just animals but robots too
Every batman villan had every reason to become a villan 💯
Fun Fact. Scarecrow is the only Villain to have 3 different costume changes. The next time he appears he has a brand new and more permanent costume the remaining 2 seasons, before seasons 3 redesign.
They seemed to have trouble nailing down a design for him.
I had a night terror of the Joker when I was a really young child. Either it set off an asthma attack, or was set off by an asthma attack, but I’ve never been more terrified of a cartoon character. I always loved the show, but it was hard for me to watch after that. I’m glad I went back to it as an adult.
I had this but with skeletons. To my young mind they were glaring and baring their teeth at me, a hostile action. I had a night terror so bad once that while I was being bitten by them in a dream, I woke up and could still feel the bruise-like pain where they were biting me after I awakened. In a twist, I decided I'm rather fond of them later.
Honestly, it would be hard to not be terrified of the Joker.
Had the same problem too when I was little, but growing up and seeing how twisted he really is (in the comics especially), I'd be surprised if I didn't get an instant heart attack if I met someone like him in real life even now.
@@laraendlight9887 I HAVE known someone similar to the Joker in real life, it's not fun. Nope. More than one actually. My brothers cohort growing up was the closest approximation, I think. NO restraint. He'd commit crimes because "it was funny". Got out of prison once and went RIGHT back in because he couldn't resist the urge to expose himself at the post office. He was tasked (for some reason) by my brother to help my sister with something once, and when he got there, he disappeared into her bathroom. After too long, she knew something shady was occurring, and SURE ENOUGH mr. Joker boy was up there trying to stuff a lotion bottle up his ass. I wouldn't be surprised if he has murdered before while wearing that stupid grin of his "for the lulz" and never got caught. He's committed robbery, vandalism, credit fraud, property destruction and more just by power of suggestion. I watched my brother tell him to go give someone a lawn job when they were fresh out of teenhood ( drive his car on someone's lawn and destroy it with the wheels) and he just giggled, grinned, jumped in his big boat of an old car and turned their lawn to mud in broad daylight.
Judgement Day, featuring the villain "The Judge" is another good pick for a really dark episode.
Let me get this straight, the Mad Hatter had Batman unconscious, and instead of killing or taking off his mask or anything, he just traps him in a simulation and hopes it will all turn out okay.
Not killing Bats was fine for Jervis at the time. But you got me on his not unmasking him.
@@MasterKnightDH In some continuities, it is said that Batman's cowl is electrified. This is seen in Batman: Hush. During a chase with Batman and Catwoman, Hush manages to snipe Batman's grappling hook and sever it, causing Batman to fall, crack his skull on the pavement, and knock him unconscious. Nearby thugs notice this and attempt to unmask Batman, but his cowl electrifies them in response when they grab it.
I don't think Mad Hatter was a killer like The Joker or Two Face. The Mad Hatter just got off on mind control.
Also there are several Batman villains who really don't care about his secret identity or who do know and won't say anything. The Joker doesn't care who Batman is because he just enjoys their interactions with each. Bane knows that Batman is really Bruce Wayne, but doesn't desire to publicly out him. Catwoman who is both a heroine and villainess, knows Batman's identity and has kept it quiet, even after he has had her arrested a number of times.
This was a great list...but im really disappointed because of an entry that definitely deserved a spot on this list. The episode where Poison Ivy decided to actually grow her family so she could live as close to a normal life as possible.
"Be careful when you wish for immortality. It's could be a mistake you'll have to live with for a long, long time...."
Batman the animated series had some of the saddest episodes ever
Honestly, it could have been interesting to see Lockup appear in Arkham City or Arkham Knight, it's like Azraphael, the Arkham Knight, but without the templar theme, could've even had a mission where Lockup has captured another minor rogue, and batman has to track him down before Lockup gets his version of justice
Excellent video! However, one thing I’ve gotta say is in my opinion the epsiode titled ‘The Underdwellers’ should’ve been on the list. It’s a disturbing epsiode about child abuse/neglect. A one time watch is enough for me for that one…
What about, "His Silicon Soul 1&2" and its follow-up episode later on? Those were excellent episodes!
Man those were good! That twist with Replicant Batman being too much like the original really got me.
@@cnkclark ikr!! That's what made them awesome!!!
Penguin smaller words we're losing Croc.
The story of Walker wanting to be immortal is most certainly shade thrown at Walt Disney.
The character looks like him, wants to be immortal, wants to be wants to be in a cryogenic suit, owns a theme park, Walter (Walt) vs Walker…
I think the Charlie Colins (Jokers favor) is a bit darker when you think about it.
The Joker didn't recognise one of his bombs being fake. The question is how the hell would Charlie know it was fake when even Joker himself couldn't tell.
The simple answer is he didn't.
Who would imagine that a mature storyline could be expressed in animation to both the awe of young and older viewers.
Chemicals seems to be the reason for half of these people to turn to villainy. It's as Joker said "All it takes is one bad day"
In reality, you just get lymphoma, severely disabled or dead. The universe couldn't even let us have a little fun.
"Madness is like gravity. All it takes is a little push." 😅
The dream episode is one of the most thought provoking ones. Imagine being angry and resentful towards the world and it effects your daily attitude and one day it changes and your life becomes the way you want it to and you’re happy but the world around you starts to crumble and people outside of your life aren’t happy anymore and society falls. Do you go back to being angry and resentful for the good of the world or choose your own happiness at the expense of others? It’s one of the most telling truths a spirit I think.
RIP Kevin Conroy, the best voice of Batman and I hate that he’s gone😢❤️
Nothing since has really ever compared to the OG Batman : the animated series.
It was just on a totall different level.
This is why we love the cartoon version. It’s so much darker
In Memoriam to Kevin Conroy
*#TheDarkKnight*
*#Vengeance*
*#Batman*
I love to see more of Lockup, it is a good allegory of should villains be killed or such as well as a sort of hero that does a much more dirty work then such
You're more realistic I absolutely love how you explain the comics books Keep doing what you do thank you off top
The Baby Doll episode really is saf. I mean just imagine not being able to age physically. You'd never be able to find love, go to bar, ride certain rides at parks and many other things. No wonder she just snapped after all that 😔
Hell even with ID can you imagine trying to buy ANYTHING age restricted, like say booze.
Heart of Ice is by far my top favorite, especially because it focuses on the fact that even through an accident Freeze did whatever it took to achieve revenge on the selfish greedy individual that took everything from him
Batman is SO lucky The Mad Hatter isn’t a psychotic murderer. the dude had Bats dead to rights
Mad Hatter: I was ACTUALLY willing to give you whatever dream life you wanted--just so you would stay out of MINE! (Breaks down in tears)
@@shewolfsiren while Hatter was happy to live a life of fantasy, Batman cannot live a lie.
I do pity Hatter, but had he kept Batman in a fantasy world, Hatter would have went back to forcing Alice (the woman he had a mad crush on) to be his.
Damn baby doll was pretty damn freaky it still sucks she never gets a happy ending though......
You missed the fact that the mirror baby doll shot at and wouldn't stop pulling the trigger on was her own reflection.
Almost got em should be a batman movie itself not just 30 minutes... man the things they could of done in 2 hours and to find out it was a sting operation to save someone would of even been better as a movie. This did win an emmy and was nominated for an oscar but the title would make such a great movie on an animated Batman. Dedicated it to Sir Kevin Conroy as well have Mark hamil the main attraction again for the end and vilonet. hell it can even start as mark hamil talking about it then the other criminals join in then at the end mark hamil said something again then batman comes into play later on. I would buy that right away
Loved watching this show as a kid, but I did realize just how dark and graphic it was for something aimed at kids. Then again, the show was based on the Burton films, which explains its dark concept.