Wednesday Edition: Christian's Favorite Batman TAS Episodes

Batman TAS was my favorite show as a kid. Every night I would come home from school and immediately turn on the TV to take in some of this legendary Dark Knight adaption. The show is what made Batman made favorite superhero and I have never looked back. Choosing just 5 episodes was extremely difficult, but I managed after much inward debate to make this list. I tried to not use villains more than once because I didn't want the list to be just Joker episodes. Enjoy!

1. Joker's Wild : Cameron Kaiser builds a casino hotel modeled after the Joker, called The Joker's Wild. The Joker sees this on the news and, enraged, escapes from Arkham again, with one thought on his mind: destroying the casino, unaware that this is exactly what Kaiser wants him to do as part of an insurance claim.

Why it's a favorite: Mark Hamill is the Joker. He is the voice I hear in my mind anytime I read a Joker comic. That being said the Joker has so many memorable appearances on Batman TAS. I chose Joker's wild for a few different reasons. We get to see Joker's hilarious interactions with Poison Ivy. Even though he calls Ivy " Red", Joker is definitely not her Andy Dufresne. Not to mention we get to see one of the only times on the show Joker breaks out of the asylum.  I just loved Joker's fury that someone was profiting off his likeness. His huge ego drives him to destroy the casino that has taken his image. The idea of a Joker themed casino really intrigues me. Like this needs to exist. Someone get Donald Trump on the phone.

2. Heart of Ice: Bitter scientist Victor Fries, as Mr. Freeze, attacks several divisions of Gothcorp, each time stealing a piece for a secret weapon he intends to build. Batman investigates the connections, and discovers that the start of Freeze's vendetta against Gothcorp was a bitter falling out between Fries and Gothcorp's CEO, Ferris Boyle, during which Boyle almost killed Fries (mutating him into Freeze) and presumably killed Fries' terminally ill wife, Nora. Batman must find a way to bring Boyle to justice before Freeze carries out his revenge.

Why it's a favorite: This episode forever changed the origin of Mr. Freeze. Before this he was another generic ice villain, but after he was a sympathetic character who was turned cold by the greed of one man. We great moments freeze blast moments and even got to see Batman with a cold. Mark Hamill voices Ferris Boyle and because of this we get some fun Star Wars references. Such as Batman being frozen upside like Luke in Empire Strikes back. Mr. Freeze also has some amazingly moving quotes in this episode. Go Paul Dini! Chicken noodle soup saves the day again!

3. Robin's Reckoning Part 1+2 : During a fight with some gangsters at a construction yard, Batman and Robin learn the name of their boss: Billy Marin. While Robin looks forward to going up against Marin, Batman becomes distant, and after a falling out at the Batcave, Batman doesn't allow Robin to accompany him on the search for Marin. Robin investigates on the Batcomputer, and soon realises that Billy Marin is not the boss' real name. Rather, it is an alias of Tony Zucco, the man who killed his parents.

Why it's a favorite: Dick Grayson is my favorite Robin. I enjoy Tim, Jason, and Damien just fine, but Dick has always been my favorite. We see Dick's tragic beginning in this two part episode. His story draws many parallels to Bruce's own story of loss. We see how the strong bond between Dick and Bruce is formed. How they are both heroes born out of tragedy. On top of all that we see Dick confront the man who killed his parents, something Bruce will never get to do. Also Biff from Back to the Future voices Zucco, got to love a nice 80's throwback.

4. The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne: After a prominent judge is injured during a struggle with some thugs demanding money from her in exchange for a strange tape, Bruce Wayne decides to take a trip to Yucca Springs, a resort where the judge had vacationed, and consult Dr. Hugo Strange, a psychiatrist. Bruce soon learns that Strange has invented a machine that extracts people's darkest secrets from their minds and transfers them to videotape — and now Strange has proof of Bruce's secret identity as Batman and plans to auction it to three of Gotham's prominent crime bosses.

Why it's a favorite: Okay, I kinda cheated because the Joker is in this episode, but so are Hugo Strange, Penguin, and Two-face. Between getting to see Joker, Two-face, and Penguin fight over proof of Batman's identity, Bruce Wayne attempting to relax (not really), and Hugo Strange's creepy thought reading machine, this episode has everything you could ask for including Joker's answering machine.

5. Shadow of the Bat Part 1+2: When Commissioner Gordon is framed for taking bribes from Rupert Thorne, his daughter Barbara pleads with Batman to show up at a rally being put on in the commissioner's behalf. But when Batman disappears after finding the person behind the frame-up, Barbara takes the law into her own hands as Batgirl.

Why it's a favorite: Bruce Wayne dons his classic Matches Malone disguise to infiltrate a new gang in town. We get our introduction to Bat-girl, as Barbara Gordon dons her own cape and cowl. She also gets an awesome score to go along with her new identity. And of course I love that subway filled with water scene. Batman and Robin have to be pretty crafty in order not to drown down in an abandoned subway tunnel. Also love me some Harvey Dent. Two faces for the price of one.

Honorable mentions: Fear of Victory, Joker's Favor, Over the Edge, Vendetta, If Your So Smart Then Why Aren't You Rich?

That's my 5. Tell us yours in the comment section. Next up Brady!