Beware The Batman Episode 6 “Toxic” Review:

Beware The Batman Episode 6  “Toxic” Review:

Batman: “There are two things in life everyone’s powerless against. Love and revenge.”

I loved this episode of Beware The Batman! It really shows a thinking man’s Batman. More compassionate and logical than the “Because he’s BATMAN!” school of thought cinema and pop culture have trapped some into in modern times. The story begins with two star-crossed lovers, and Simon Stagg doesn’t want her daughter dating his security guards. So, conducts an experiment on him to “weaponize his genetic code”, and turns him into the hideous Metamorpho, who can change his form.
 
One of the reasons I love this is that it makes for great sci-fi. There’s just enough babble to make it seem futuristic, but enough detective work to make it seem plausible. Also, I like that Simon Stagg is a greedy weapons’ contractor. You don’t see a lot of Batman going after rich evil people these days. They’re all criminally insane or terrorists usually. Nice to see Batman change up his targets.

    Speaking of how the villains are usually mentally ill, it’s strongly foreshadowed that the psychologist Dr. Ravencroft is a villainess, which I predicted…and loved! It’s nice to see Batman cares for the downtrodden and in this version, goes after even those in power with “normal” minds and bodies. Dr. Ravencroft asks Bruce on a date, and is especially creepy in this episode.
 
So, anyway, Batman helps Metamorpho find Stagg, but is still looking for a cure for him. I doubt he’ll find one, as Metamorpho is no doubt destined to team-up with Katana in The Outsiders. It was great to see Batman uncover Stagg’s operations while dodging a dinner date…they’re really pushing the spy/detective angle on Batman…and it’s nice to see him uphold things like love, equality, and logic. But, I still have no idea how you’d “weaponize” DNA. That’s what makes it good sci-fi!    

    This was a very risky episode of Beware The Batman, I feel. It challenges preconceived notions of Batman’s bravado, and shows a more sensitive side in his empathy with Metamorpho and his lover Sapphire. It also challenges body norms and traditional notions of love. Metamorpho asks several times if Sapphire still loves him the way he is, and she is conflicted. But, I suspect there’s more to their love than appearance.

   Also, the animation here is top notch. The imagery and the contrasting plots are perfectly juxtaposed. One story is about dating to keep up the appearance love (Ravencroft & Bruce Wayne), and the other is about recognizing inner beauty free of social conventions like dating. (Metamorpho and Sapphire) Stagg reacts emotionally to danger, while Batman acts logically.

  I love this interpretation of Batman. I know it’s pretty much a Romeo and Juliet story, but I needed to see that Batman is capable of such logic and compassion, as opposed to being the cold, brazen, macho man of recent public memory. Finally, I just can’t wait for The Outsiders to form! The first I’d heard of them was actually in Batman: The Brave And The Bold! But, I know it’s a Silver Age superhero team…

I really like The Silver Age Batman detective story they’re going for. I haven’t been this excited about a cartoon since Batman: The Animated Series! Great episode…great themes, great visuals! Definitely one of my first A+ rated episodes! I hope they keep it going!

Beware The Batman Episode 5 “Broken” Review:

Beware The Batman Episode 5 “Broken” Review:

Humpty Dumpty: “All the king’s horses and all the king’s men…couldn’t put Humphrey Dumpler together again!”

This episode was kind of goofy and creepy at the same time. It reminded me of that Christmas episode with the Joker from Batman: The Animated Series. Part of what makes Humpty Dumpty a creepy character though, aside from his appearance is his childish nature. He traps Gordon and his former boss Tobias Whale (who’s no doubt going to be an ersatz Penguin.) inside giant toy soldier-bombs, but he seems genuinely unaware that he’s hurting people. He just wants to play with toys and get revenge on his boss for dragging him into a game he doesn’t want to play.

    Great detective work here, as Batman figures out how to disarm the bombs, and tracks down Humpty Dumpty. (Funny moment: When Batman asks the Batmobile what Humpty Dumpty’s last known location is, it responds, “A wall.”) Humpty Dumpty shoots at Batman with a big laser gun as he’s trying to disarm the bombs, and Batman explains that he forgives him, but doesn’t excuse his actions. He can’t just pretend he’s not responsible. Desperate, Humpty jumps off a building to reveal…some kinda robot? It was vaguely creepy. The creepiness comes from Humpty’s childish naiveté. He’s a “broken” man.

   Another subplot involves more of the mystery of the Soul Stealer sword. It can apparently really steal souls and everyone including The League of Assassins is after it. Perhaps it will play a bigger role in another season, with a possible Ra’s Al Ghul appearance…that would be nice! Alfred mentions that even MI6 and the CIA are looking for the sword, so Katana had better keep it safe.
   
A good episode, though a bit goofy at times. The giant toy soldier-bombs were a bit much, but added to the creepiness. Strong themes of forgiveness and personal responsibility. Also, Gordon seems to be warming up to Batman. I predict Batgirl will come into the show soon, when Gordon trusts Batman!

  If Humpty was just some kind of fat egg-shaped robot…maybe he’ll return? In contrast to Professor Pyg, I feel this was a more faithful translation of Grant Morrison’s more macabre characters. He’s animated very strangely; peering out of darkness and waddling like a skiddish child. Very creepy and good episode.  B+ for a rating; just because of the toy soldier and nursery rhyme gimmicks!

Beware The Batman Episode 4 “Safe” Review:

Beware The Batman Episode 4 “Safe” Review:

Dr. Burr: But I thought Wayne Manor was safe!

Katana: You are never safe.

Episode 4 of Beware The Batman (“Safe”) brings back The League of Assassins. Dr. Burr is attacked by ninjas after creating the ion cortex, a power source that Bruce Wayne plans to sell. After being attacked and the ninjas beaten by Katana/Batman, Dr. Burr and co. are sent to Wayne Manor for protection. But, as Katana warns Dr. Burr, just because Wayne Manor is safe doesn’t mean they are safe.

   This is a pretty good episode with an okay villain. It’s more about Katana and her connection to the League of Assassins than Batman. Although she learns to trust Batman despite his secretive nature because he fights with honor. He even saves Katana from Silver Monkey, one of the League of Assassins’ goons. The real villainess we never see. It’s her I’m most interested in.

Apparently not only is this villainess (Lady Shiva) interested in the ion cortex, but also Katana’s Soul Stealer sword. Also, they do that Inspector Gadget Dr. Claw thing where you never see Lady Shiva, so it adds to the mystery. Also there’s a silly plot point where Dr. Burr acts as comic relief and fawns over Katana. (Whose clan name “Katana” we actually hear in this episode, instead of Tatsu Yamashiro.)

   A pretty good action-oriented episode. Not too much detective work, since they spend the majority defending themselves. But, good to see Katana fight alongside Batman, and gain her trust. The episode could set up a lot of possibilities. Will we learn why The League of Assassins wants the Soul Stealer sword?

Or the ion cortex? I’m probably most excited for a possible return of Ra’s Al Ghul, who may still be the head of the League of Assassins in this version. Or it may be Lady Shiva! Still, in the midst of all these obscure “re-skinned” villains from Grant Morrison’s rogue gallery, it’s nice to see a familiar cornerstone of the Batman Universe like The League of Assassins! Solid episode…I give it an A! Can’t wait for more.

Beware The Batman Episode 3 Review "Tests"

Daedalus: “Down with creative oppression! This is justice!”

Batman: “No. I am justice!”

Episode 3 of Beware The Bat is a strong episode for Batman. Not really for the villian, Anarky. He’s basically re-hashing The Joker. And not doing so well. He calls his cronies artists instead of jokers. Heck, his moniker isn’t even mysterious. He is anarchy, Batman is order. He prides himself on being a force of chaos, but Batman proves that he isn’t just a force of order, but justice. He’s a lot more complex than he looks.

Katana Batman’s bodyguard also proved her worth in this episode, hence the name “Tests”. She passes Batman’s obstacles as well as Batman would, and tracks him down to Anarky’s location in the end. Anarky talks a big game as if he’s a big creative and illogical force, but Batman taunts him and tells him he’s being way too predictable which was exactly what I thought.

With the 3D animation, I thought Anarky looked sort of like he was clayamation. I get that he’s supposed to be in contrast to The Dark Knight, but this type of bright white does not look good in 3D. It was as if he was made of milk. Joker’s white face paint was at least subtle and a creepy subversion of a happy clown smile. Here we have a nearly featureless ghost character who shouts his own scheme.

Come to think of it, the plot even rips off The Dark Knight. Anarky’s artists Daedalus and Junkyard Dog rob a musuem to lure Batman out then plant bombs on some boats, and he must “choose” which boats to save. Not much to say here, except that where the episode shines is showing that Batman is a lot more logical and complex than he has been shown to be in the past. He isn’t just about revenge and order. He can improvise. So too, can Katana, who will no doubt uncover Bruce Wayne’s secret soon.

In conclusion, while it was a great episode for the heroes’ development, the villain was visually drab, an obvious copycat, and way too predictable for his namesake! Joker at least had some style! I kind of suspected that Anarky was a weak Joker substitute to begin with. But, here’s hoping the newer episodes will allow the villains to grow out of their cookie-cutter Batman motifs! I’ll catch up soon, I swear.

BEWARE THE BATMAN EPISODE 2: SECRETS:

BEWARE THE BATMAN EPISODE 2: SECRETS:

    I know Beware The Batman is not something to base an actual diagnosis of mental illness off of, but part of this blog is about thinking critically about the images we receive about physical/mental conditions of the body. That said, let’s review the episode. Magpie is a kleptomaniac villianess who looks like she raided The Black Cat’s wardrobe and pasted on an avian theme. She wants to steal shiny things; chiefly Batman’s utility belt so she can steal more shiny things, but she is not quite the Catwoman replacement I first believed her to be, for she also has a memory stealing helmet, used on a guard in the first scene.

   After some investigation, Batman uncovers the Magpie was a Blackgate inmate. So far so good! The disturbing questions for me, came when Magpie’s “true identity” was uncovered…and, of course the inclusion of the moronic Lunkhead as a setup for Batman and Gordon to figure out the same things and meet. It is a kid’s show though, and to me it’s obvious that Lunkhead’s comedic behavior was the reflection of him trying to be good again…not necessarily his apparent learning disability. (Though criticism is welcome!)

 Lunkhead aside, the episode for me raised questions of identity, medical ethics, and mental health. I don’t know what real kleptomania is like, but I find it highly suspect that Dr. Ravencroft invented a memory wiping machine in the first place. Surely, the mere fact that people labelled as criminals have mental conditions does not warrant their memories being erased. Magpie soon discovers that “Magpie” is only her kleptomaniac personality. Instead of erasing it, Dr. Ravencroft pushed that identity to the front. I know this is only a cartoon, but to me it seems to give the impression that as long as criminals have a mental condition/disability, (In the case of Lunkhead.) it’s okay to play around  with  their identities and minds.
 
 Magpie even tells Batman after she captures him that he doesn’t need to worry about her taking off his mask because she knows the value of keeping things secret. So, why is Batman, as a higher-functioning mental case, allowed to keep his secret…while Magpie, in a desperate search for her own identity, must be the victim of some twisted correctional experiment? Because he helped Lieutenant Gordon, Batman’s own mental case is excused. Still, I am hoping that Dr. Ravencroft is revealed to be a villianess…even though I know the public prefers to keep good and evil as reflected through physical/mental appearances. I’m always there to cast a critical eye on it!

    In all honesty, I can’t say it was a bad episode, just a little disturbing in the ways that they portray treatment of those with mental conditions. In one scene, when looking at an inkblot test, Batman sees his parent’s murder, but tells Ravencroft he just sees ink on paper. A subtle hint that Batman might suspect the doctor of trying to uncover Batman maybe. In any case, Dr. Ravencroft could be a really good villainess, and if they don’t make her one…it’d be an unsettling message to say that “good doctors” can mess around with memories. We’ll have to see! Until next time! By the way, my rating for this episode was 6.0/10 or C+, just due to the disturbing nature of disability here. Batman never has had a good track record dealing with mental health issues and mental disabilities! But, I can hope!

BEWARE THE BATMAN REACTION: EPISODE 1: HUNTED

BEWARE THE BATMAN REACTION: EPISODE 1: HUNTED

    Watching the first episode of Beware The Batman reminded me of playing Arkham City. Especially in the opening scene. It was nice to see they tried to keep the “dark deco” atmosphere of Paul Dini’s Batman, 3D aside. The inside of Wayne Manor reminded me of how it looked in Tim Burton’s Batman. Especially because of that scene where he sleeps upside down. But, here he does not. The interior just has that blank posh look. Batman is a little more of a rookie in this version.

Happy to see Alfred right off the bat (Ha!) training Batman. He’s like James Bond/Splinter. He seemed to be doing a Michael Caine routine though, which I thought was a bit cheap. But, Batman Begins was in 2005, so I suppose by now it’s fair game. I didn’t like how Pyg was portrayed…they tuned him down quite a bit in terms of violence and just made him an animal-themed villain. Though a major part of that character is animal rights, I suspect people unfamiliar with him will be turned off by the goofiness. He does after all, still speak in limericks. But, I was happy to learn that Mr. Toad, Pyg’s sidekick, is voiced by the legendary Udo Kier!

     In regards to Batman, this version he’s a little more like Sherlock Holmes’s recent interpretation. He logically works out how to take down his opponents. It was a nice touch. He has to save Alfred in this first episode, who Pyg thinks is Bruce Wayne at first. Batman wasted no time tracking down Alfred. It’s unclear what Batman’s public reputation is at this point, but I like that Batman and Alfred help each other out. That felt good. Katana being hinted at in the end was also nice. I have to say too, this is the best bat suit I think. Overall, I give the episode 8/10, though Pyg’s mildness and goofiness on top of that was…a huge reminder that it is a kid’s show.

    In conclusion, Beware The Batman seems to walk a fine line. It is a kid’s show, but it recalls, to me Batman Begins, and Batman: The Animated Series with it’s seeming commitment to “dark deco” style (a.k.a. making things dark.) even in the 3D. I even though the plot structure was similar to The Animated Series because Pyg and Toad were trying to stop people from building on animal reserves…just like Catwoman and Red Claw in their first outings in The Animated Series. And yet, The Animated Series never particularly felt goofy.

    Nothing will compare to The Animated Series, obviously. It was so influential to Batman’s modern take. Beware The Bat has it’s own 70s buddy cop dynamic with Alfred/Batman going on…and it’s only the first episode…we’ll see where it goes. Maybe Robin will appear? Several have commented to me already that this is like Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One. I don’t see it. Year One was more about Batman figuring out how to put the fear of God into the scum of the city. True, Batman in in training, but this reminds me much more of Batman Begins or maybe the upcoming Arkham prequel...it doesn’t take the same risks with mature content (As Paul Dini did, with The Animated Series.) but it’s a nice buddy cop show for kids! I’m definitely up to watch more.

                             

Beware The Batman: Thoughts and Previews

BATMAN: BEWARE THE BATMAN INITIAL THOUGHTS & PREVIEWS:

“To those that would hurt the innocent. I give you this one warning: Beware my wrath.”

- Beware The Batman teaser clip

    Beware The Batman premieres tomorrow on Cartoon Network as part of the channel’s DC Nation Saturday morning cartoon series. I thought I’d record some of my initial thoughts and expectations here. I was initially excited that the series will be based on Grant Morrison’s Batman & Robin run. But that for me raises a really big question: how the heck do you do that for a kid’s cartoon, being that Professor Pyg rips peoples’ faces off, and surgically replaces them with doll faces!?
    To be frank, I think the answer is they won’t change much beyond the names of the villains. Mr. Anarky is basically Joker. I predict Magpie will be a replacement Catwoman. Guess who Tobias Whale is a template for? Ugh…the one development I am happy to see is that Alfred will be more action-oriented, and an ex-MI6 agent. That would be like if James Bond was butler to Batman! And that sounds cool! Though I have to be honest, I’m leery about the show being CGI. It worked for Green Lantern though.
        I don’t have high expectations for the series. 3D animation notwithstanding. I got a preview comic on my iPad. It was okay. It introduces Alfred, Tobias Whale, and Mr. Anarky. I wonder how Professor Pyg will come in. Will it have The Red Hood? Being that the violence is toned down, and it’s 3D, and a kid’s show, how much action can they show! But, Batman is always good!
    I’ll probably be watching in the spirit of reserved hope. Maybe I’ll like this new one. Grant Morrison sure did some awesome Batman comics! How will they translate to CN? I’m excited to know! I just hope the villains aren’t just mockups of the originals! Plus, it’s always disappointing not to hear Kevin Conroy as the voice of Batman. Beware the Batman? Or just don’t watch? We’ll see! Stay tuned!