Brady's Top 5 Batman TAS Episodes!

Whats up guys, Brady here to give you my top 5 favorite Batman TAS episodes of all time. I would just like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Christian's list and thought he had some really great eps. So with out further a due let us begin....

Coming in at number 5

"What is Reality": Seeking to prove once and for all that he is the superior mind, The Riddler lures Batman into a riddle-solving contest inside the virtual reality of a computer game in order to save Jim Gordon's life. In the course of solving the riddles and escaping The Riddler's traps, Batman learns that he is also able to manipulate the virtual reality landscape much like The Riddler does. 

Why its a favorite: The reason why this is a favorite is because we see Batman and Robin solving riddles in a totally different atmosphere. They are in a virtual reality video game, not Gotham City which makes the duo think outside the box on this one. Also, this episode really shows one of my favorite villains The Riddler in a truly fantastic way. To me he is on top of his game in this episode and the riddles are insane. We see Batman adapt to his surroundings and eventually turn The Riddler's own traps against him. All in all great episode and deserves the number 5 slot. 

4.The Joker's Favor: After a man named Charlie Collins accidentally curses at the Joker on the road for bumping him, the Clown Prince of Crime corners him and intimidates him into doing him a "small favor". Two years pass, and the Joker finally decides how to use Charlie: to sneak a bomb into Gotham University, where Commissioner Gordon is to give a speech at an award ceremony. Charlie, who merely has to open the door, is skeptical at first, but for the sake of his family, he reluctantly decides to obey. But is the Joker really the type to let someone who insulted him live? This episode features the debut appearance of the Joker's sidekick/girlfriend, Harley Quinn

Why its a favorite: We have this innocent man who yells at the Joker, Charlie who expects nothing to come of it. Boy is he wrong. The Joker and the truly twisted person that he is decides to intimidate Charlie and force him to do him a "small favor" for him. The most twisted thing about it, is that he waits 2 years until confronting him about the favor. 2 YEARS!!! Could you imagine knowing someone like The Joker has asked you to do him a favor and waits two years to bring you up on it, yet here you are waiting on pins and needles everyday hoping that it won't happen. That is the beautiful thing about the Joker and the mind games that he plays. Also, in this episode we have the debut of probably one of the greatest female villians of all time. Miss Harley Quinn. This episode alone sparked an entire following for this character. She is phenomenal and just as twisted as her dear ol' Mr. J. Coming in at number 4 The Jokers Favor. 

3. The Man Who Killed Batman: When a small time gang member seemingly kills Batman by accident, he gets involved with gangs all over Gotham, as well as the Joker and Rupert Thorne, none of whom believe his story that everything that is happening is by preposterous happenstance. 

 Why its favorite: There is one reason this made the list. The Joker/Mark Hamill's brilliant eulogy to Batman. A small time mobster, Sid "The Squid", supposedly "kills" The Batman and initially The Joker is ecstatic and holds a funeral, the whole 9 yards. After awhile we see that The Joker begins to lose his mind and realizes that he needs Batman, Batman is the one who keeps him going, who gives him that spark to be so diabolical and twisted. That's what I loved most about this episode, you see the true relationship that the two characters have. 

2. Nothing to Fear: Batman encounters The Scarecrow and attempts to foil his scheme to burn down Gotham University, but in the process is exposed to the Scarecrow's fear gas and is forced to face his own guilt over the death of his parents. This episode introduced the popular line: "I am vengeance. I am the night. I am Batman!"

Why its a favorite: Scarecrow, Scarecrow, Scarecrow. My FAVORITE villain of all time is first introduced in this episode. The man who creates fear toxin gas and makes you see, hear, visualize your worst nightmares. Wow that is seriously some awesome shit. If that were real life and something like that could be created where you literally see your own nightmares before you, the world would be a horror show. Anyways, Scarecrow attempts to burn down Gotham University and Batman comes to save the day. This time though we see a terrified Batman because he comes to grips of what he sees when exposed to the fear gas. The death of his own parents. As if once wasn't enough for him, he has to relive the nightmare. Also, we hear that famous line that all bat-fans love to shout "I AM VENGEANCE, I AM THE NIGHT, I AM BATMAN!" Classic shit, comin in at #2 Scarecrow rules!!!

The music really fits....

NOTE: Not all these scenes are from TAS.

Finally #1 Laughing Fish: Joker creates a toxin that affects only fish, mutating them into Joker fish. Then, he targets innocent men who refuse to copyright his Joker fish. The Joker also captures Harvey Bullock and Batman must rescue him and foil the Clown Prince of Crime's insane scheme.

Why its a favorite: Ah yes, Laughing Fish. Probably one of the most famous Joker episodes of all time if I do say so myself. I think for me this is my number one favorite episode is because this is what really got me interested in the Joker and how truly twisted he was even for a kids show. If you were to re-watch this episode you too would have those haunting images of the deathly smiles on everyones faces who were infected by the Joker toxins. Truly dark images if you ask me but that is why I loved it. There were no flaws in this episode, it kept you on the edge of your seat the entire time thinking what will Joker do next? How will Batman react? What is the fate of Batman when he is infected? Just everything about it is fantastic. Deserves to be at the top of my list owning the #1 slot. Also, this was the first episode I ever watched so it has a special place in my heart. 

Honorable Mentions: "Robin's Reckoning parts 1+2", "Jokers Wild", "Shadow of the Bat parts 1+2", "Christmas with the Joker", "The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne"

Hope you guys enjoyed the list! Tomorrow we hear from Adam Strand!