Adam's 5 Favorite Batman TAS Episodes

My brother got me to watch Batman TAS with him when we were kids. I quickly became addicted to superheroes and their stories. My favorite hero is still Batman because of this amazing show that brought so many great additions to the Batman mythos. So without further a due, here are my top 5 episodes!

5. Fear of Victory: The Scarecrow invents some kind of fear chemical that is activated by adrenaline. Then, he uses it to affect the outcome of athletic events. Whenever a single person becomes agitated, the fear chemical kicks in, turning his excitement to fear. The Scarecrow bets against the sports stars' teams as part of his criminal scheme to scare up some quick cash and Batman and Robin must foil his plot.

Why it's a favorite: This episode combines two of my passions, sports and comics. Scarecrow's scheme is fun and original. I especially love the scene when the bookie sends his thug after a disguised Scarecrow to see how he is always winning. That guy had no idea what he was getting into. This episode really thrives at challenging Robin and his arc comes full circle at the end when he saves the crowd at the football game from fear toxin. And to top all of that we have the incredibly creepy score from the always stellar Shirley McClain.

4. The Demon's Quest Parts 1+2:  When Robin is mysteriously abducted from his college campus, the Batman begins a fruitless search ... until he is astounded by the sudden appearance in the Batcave of Ra's Al Ghul. Ra's quickly reveals that his daughter, Talia, has been abducted under circumstances similar to Robin's, suggesting that the same persons are responsible. So begins an uneasy truce between the Batman and 'The Demon'.

Why it's a favorite: Um, a shirtless Batman in a sword fight alone earns this episode a spot on this list, but its who he fights againist that makes this one of my all time favorites. Ra's Al Ghul. This was the shows introduction to Ra's. His scheme of faking Robin's kidnapping to see if Batman is worthy of replacing him as the Demon Head leads to an exotic episode outside the normal Gotham setting. I also love when Ra's calls Batman "Detective".

3. Christmas with The Joker: After escaping Arkham Asylum on Christmas Eve, The Joker takes over Gotham's airwaves and terrorizes the city for a crime. He challenges Batman and Robin to find his hidden TV studio and free his hostages — Commissioner Gordon, Detective Bullock and Summer Gleason — before midnight.

Why it's a favorite: This episode is a lot of fun. We get to see the Joker sing "Batman smells" and Batman fight a laser shooting canon. There quotable lines left and right, mostly from Mark Hamill, and how can you beat a nice "the train tracks are out" situation. Not to mention,  Joker talking to his hand puppet and a cardboard studio audience makes for comedic gold.

2. The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy: Baron Jozek, furious at Batman for humiliating him at a dinner party (over Jozek's underworld connections), hires Josiah Wormwood, a master in setting traps for his victims, to hunt down Batman and bring back the hero's cape and cowl.

Why it's a favorite: Batman's superior intellect and problem solving abilities are highlighted in this episode. Wormwood is a slimy, but intelligent villain whose near impossible to solve death traps are quite a challenge for the Dark Knight. When Baron Jozek reveals himself to really be Batman, I nearly shit myself. I did not see that coming.

1. Beware the Gray Ghost: Simon Trent, an actor best known for his past role as "The Gray Ghost", is on the verge of bankruptcy thanks to his declining career. To save himself, he sells off all of his Gray Ghost merchandise. Immediately afterwards, a series of crimes related to the old show begin to occur. Batman, having himself been inspired partly by the show to become the crimefighter he now is, goes to Trent for help, and they team up to put an end to the crimes.

Why it's a favorite: ADAM WEST!!! Long before he was roaming the streets of Quahog as mayor, Mr. West lent his vocal talents to the character of Simon Trent, the Gray Ghost, who turns out to be part of the inspiration for Bruce's Batman persona. We get great flashbacks to Bruce's childhood. He watched and idolized the Gray Ghost. So when a villain is recreating an old Gray Ghost episode to commit his crimes, Batman and the Gray Ghost have to team up to stop it. "You can't interview a dead man!"

Honorable Mentions:  Feat of Clay Parts 1+2, Almost Got 'Im, The Man Who Killed Batman, Laughing Fish, If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?

Thanks for reading. Up next Ryan Keough!