Batman Beyond's Best Moments!

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by oldtoonguy
There was a point, at the first ep of Shriek, when there was no sound on the TV, and the action took place without it, that I really respected the creators of BB.. That fight, was something that I had never seen on TV or movies. With all the negativity that has been floted here, and I have not read it all, I want to say, that I thought that those few moments without sound, and just letting the action move itself, were brilliant.. Stuart

Ah, the first season of Batman Beyond surely had several brilliant moments in it. That is a personal favorite of mine too! Maybe we should spin this off into a Batman Beyond's Best Moments thread?

[James]

Actually, I agree. About time we had a - 'What was great about Batman Beyond?' thread.

That show gets so much flak.
On the most basic level it should be at least appreciated for keeping the Batman flame alive by itself. There were no other DC super hero shows being produced at the time, no films to bring attention to the formula. Like it or not, it was a success (the first season almost as critically as the original Animated Adventures) and that has been a great motivation for the studio to push for spin offs (Zeta - unfortuately! and Justice League) to the Bat franchise.

On watching the programme, it is enjoyable. People should stop whining about the fact that Terry is not as good as Batman or that the villians aren't as good as when Bruce was Batman and just appreciate what they have been given. Newsflash! You could actually be having to sit through Captain Caveman in that slot or Spiderman Unlimited - count your lucky stars you are watching Batman.

The programme itself shares the same style and the same voices as the orginal series'. It is in a sense part of the continuity. Most fans would be thrilled to see a vision of their heroes in the furture. To expain what happens to them after the adventure is over - yet we don't ever hear lucky we are to see someone has made an effort in furthering the principle of Batman and retaining a link to the Batman we love.

A new Batman. 'We want Bruce!', I hear many whimper. Well, Bruce is there but we have someone else to deal with. Again, Newsflash - occasionally it's nice to extend and play with a formula. Progression. Ideas. See what it can evolve into. Sometimes that means taking scenerios which don't fit what we expect or would have liked - but it's better to expand than to stagnate. A new Batman, new villains, a new score... I don't mind people not enjoying the production. That's their opinion, but sometimes I wish people would try and watch something without having to compare or defend the old. 'Terry isn't Batman'.... live with it. In this concept he is and they run many episodes which set out to prove he is. They even make sure that he never extends in ability beyond the original - just to keep the perspective with Bruce - then people still complain - 'See, Bruce would NEVER have done that, therefore he ain't Batman'. Just watch the show. Except the premise, and stop clutching Bruce's leg and simply, let go. Enjoy! :)

The relationship between Terry and Bruce. The ultimate aspect of BB and is perhaps the one thing BB has over the original. The dynamic relationship the two share is what sets this story out from other cartoons and the original. The relationship pays homage to Bruce while expanding the formula with some great dialogue and brilliant characterization!

Okay, before Maxie does his job and reminds us about staying on topic ;) , I know this is getting off topic, but to appreciate the bad, you must also appreciate the good. The show made many mistakes, but as a spin off it mades some excellent choices in plot, design and presentation.

Remember that next you watch it and tweak the people round the ear who mutter and complain about the show which helped keep the franchise alive!

Even Max had a part in that! :D

Peace...

[Calhoun07]

Consider it split, thanks much to DG!

I loved Terry's rogues gallery in this series. Inque, Blight, Shriek, and others were all well done, even if some of their appearances were limited to too few episodes for my taste.

The dynamic between Terry and Bruce was always great to see, too. Their chemistry together was often wryly witty and well written.

But what I loved best about Batman Beyond were the episodes, which as a whole, were far better than I think most people give them credit for. Heck, I even liked Golem and the Terrific Three one (was that the name of it?), two episodes generally hated by most viewers. And why did I love them? Because the team working on this show put a lot of effort and care and love into this project and it shows, even in the lack luster episodes. While I agree that the quality of the episodes subsided with season two, the season two episodes, Max and all, were still a far cry better than 99.9% of animated shows out there.

[James Harvey]

No problem, Cal. I think this kind of thread is long overdo. This series takes alot of unfair punishment so it'll be nice ot have a thread where we can gush about the show.

One thing I liked about the serie sis how they were able to make some villians go "full circle", like we see them from start to finish. One example would be Blight. An even better example would be the Royal Flush Gang. I like how, over the course of the series, we see them fall apart. It was great to see the infighting and bickering in the group. Not every super villian team is a well oiled machine and the cracks show overtime. BB did a great on this. All three RFG episodes were very high quality and very well done.

[DerekPowers]

its hard to narrow it down, bb was a great series oveall.

i'd say one of the best moments was at the end of "dead man's hand" when bruce was like "let me tell you about a woman named Selina Kyle" that was priceless. i also loved the silent fight in shreak, and the last scene of that ep at the waynepowers stockholders meeting.

plus bruce in the batman mech suit in 'disappearing ink' was one hell of a moment. peace.

[Sugar Daddy]

id say out of the past, where bruce and terry fight together was great. and the call rules, but supes sounds funny

[Robin2099]

I'd have to go with Out of the Past, seeing Bruce and Terry fighting side by side was neat. I'd also have to say in Disappearing Inque, when Bruce fights Inque with the original Batman theme in the background. That always makes me giddy.

[Sugar Daddy]

Originally posted by Robin2099
I'd have to go with Out of the Past, seeing Bruce and Terry fighting side by side was neat. I'd also have to say in Disappearing Inque, when Bruce fights Inque with the original Batman theme in the background. That always makes me giddy.


in that ep, was it an old bruce, or like a young bruce like in out of the past

[Naraht]

Originally posted by lasportsbiggie



in that ep, was it an old bruce, or like a young bruce like in out of the past

Old Bruce...and he got pounded...

I've only seen it once, and that was a while back...while I was running tapes at work...

Basically Bruce had build a big Mecha-esk battle suit, and at one point got in to fight Inque...

his body still wasn't enough though...a good ep (I need to catch it again) cause it shows how much Bruce is hurting...

What I like about BB, is it really shows how tragic Bruce's story is. You really feel sorry for him, which is the whole point. The Terry Bruce Dynamic, is spot on. I can't see anyone else taking on the mantle. I would have liked to see a DTV where we find out that Terry was really the third Batman (with Dick being the 2nd) but oh well...

[James]

I actually liked 'Where's Terry?' - not just for the ending (very amusing to see Max locked up - made my year :D , but because it managed to alter the dynamics of the bat 'group'. The Max/Bruce team up was over due and made the episode, for me, very memorable.

As for that bad dudes, Mad Stan was a great character - as of course was Inque and Blight..

Let's not forget Return Of The Joker - one of the most riveting animated movies I've ever seen!

I actually got to like the Batmobile. Took a while - initially cautious of it's indescript shape, that vehicle has grown on me and it has so such a stonkingly good interior too...

You can see when I'm getting excited... the word stonking starts to pop up in my posts... :D

[batwing53]

My favorite moments include interaction between Terry and Bruce, Barbara Gordon and Terry. I also have fond memories of when Bruce came back in that armored Batsuit, and fought Inque in "Disappearing Inque" with the original music in the background. Also when Terry and Brucie kicked ass in Talia's mansion in "Out of the Past".

[Calhoun07]

The episode where Barbara Gordon saw Terry as Batman kill a person was a great episode, too. It was up there with the episode of the original series where Commissioner Gordon discovered Batman's identity and cracked down on the Batcave with his officers. Episodes like that, which leave the ending such a great mystery, are ones I remember the most.

[Naraht]

Originally posted by calhoun07
The episode where Barbara Gordon saw Terry as Batman kill a person was a great episode, too. It was up there with the episode of the original series where Commissioner Gordon discovered Batman's identity and cracked down on the Batcave with his officers. Episodes like that, which leave the ending such a great mystery, are ones I remember the most.

Yeah, that was pretty groovy...Batman vs the cops used to bug me, but now I love it. It shows just how powerful, and useful batman is...(showing how he's superior to the police)

[Sugar Daddy]

Originally posted by calhoun07
It was up there with the episode of the original series where Commissioner Gordon discovered Batman's identity and cracked down on the Batcave with his officers.

Wasn't that episode a dream of Batman's?

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by lasportsbiggie


Wasn't that episode a dream of Batman's?

It turned out to be a dream of Batgirl's

[Sugar Daddy]

thanks

[Sugar Daddy]

isnt this the ep where bruce tells tim drake to run off bc he doesnt want tim to die

[optimal321]

Originally posted by lasportsbiggie
isnt this the ep where bruce tells tim drake to run off bc he doesnt want tim to die

Yup.

Aside from what was already mentioned, i think the best ep ever was Babel. That really showed that Terry is Batman. The entire city is against him, but he still narrowly avoids death to protect it. The scene at the end where he refuses the fireman's help was priceless. Also, the parallel opening and ending really showed us how similare Bruce and Terry are. BB was a heck of a show!

[James]

Originally posted by optimal321


Yup.

Aside from what was already mentioned, i think the best ep ever was Babel. That really showed that Terry is Batman. The entire city is against him, but he still narrowly avoids death to protect it. The scene at the end where he refuses the fireman's help was priceless. Also, the parallel opening and ending really showed us how similare Bruce and Terry are. BB was a heck of a show!

Crikey this is getting me so nostalgic and I haven't even seen the third series (when is it on in the UK?)!!

I loved the harsh bitter Bruce. Shocked I was when I saw the first episode when Bruce switches of the suit and lets Terry get a swift kicking. Harsh guy. Not the same guy I remembered. Pull no punches. That was quite a risky character trait to impose on Bruce, I'm surprised the network allowed it!

[Wing Zero]

I loved Dissappearing Inque, and only for one reason. Seeing Bruce in a Batsuit(well in some form of it anyway) was great and the old TAS theme almost brought me to tears when I first saw the episode. Out of the Past was well written also, great focus on Bruce and his past.

The thing I loved most about BB was Bruce. His interaction with people, Barb, Terry, Max. They were all great moments as he didn't act stupid, he acted like regular Bruce/Batman, cold and dark....as usual.

[James Harvey]

Originally posted by optimal321


Yup.

Aside from what was already mentioned, i think the best ep ever was Babel. That really showed that Terry is Batman. The entire city is against him, but he still narrowly avoids death to protect it. The scene at the end where he refuses the fireman's help was priceless. Also, the parallel opening and ending really showed us how similare Bruce and Terry are. BB was a heck of a show!

That is a great defining scene for Batman. I think right there defined the Terry's role as the city's protector. He'll die to protect it, even when the entire city is against him. I reall ylike how he brushed off the fireman - it was priceless. Babel was a highlight of the series.

[Sugar Daddy]

Originally posted by SJJ


Crikey this is getting me so nostalgic and I haven't even seen the third series (when is it on in the UK?)!!


whats the third series?

anyways, i liked the ep where terry gets captured, and max has terry's backpack with the batsuit, and she calls bruce to come and get it. then she opens the backpack, and bruce calls back to say dont even think about that. that was hilarious!

[Naraht]

Originally posted by lasportsbiggie


whats the third series?

anyways, i liked the ep where terry gets captured, and max has terry's backpack with the batsuit, and she calls bruce to come and get it. then she opens the backpack, and bruce calls back to say dont even think about that. that was hilarious!

I think SJJ meant the 3rd Season...I could be wrong though.

[LazyReaper]

anyways, i liked the ep where terry gets captured, and max has terry's backpack with the batsuit, and she calls bruce to come and get it. then she opens the backpack, and bruce calls back to say dont even think about that. that was hilarious! [/B]

OMG! I remember that! Max takes the suit of the backpack and I was like "No Way!"; And then Bruce calls her up, 'Don't even think about putting that suit on'.

That was hilarious! I loved it! :)

[Maxie Zeus]

There are too many good moments in BB.

There are of course the small, almost throw-away moments, most of which have already been listed here.

* Dr. Corso with a powerdrill at the end of "April Moon."

* The Major putting a call in to "Leo" in "Betrayal."

* Inque forcing herself down Terry's throat in "Black Out."

* The jungle flashback in "Bloodsport."

* The bare-chested, Starro-possessed Superman serenely chasing the Batmobile across the polar icecap in "The Call."

* Mad Stan's little rat dog in "Countdown."

And that's just from episodes A thru C.

Episodes that should not be overlooked:

"Earth Mover": A lesser show would have just had the earthen giants running amok. I wanna shake hands with whoever decided a whole house should be pulled underground and turned into a dark, dank and oppressive catacomb, a labyrinth of horror.

"The Eggbaby" and "Terry's Friend Dates a Robot": Few of us liked the high school episodes that dominated the second season. This one showed how the school setting could be used, as a relief from the urban melodrama and a setting for social comedy.

[The Mad Hatter]

I'll have to agree, I thought that Eggbaby and Terry's Friend Dates A Robot were fun episodes. There's nothing wrong with being lighthearted now and again, and I'm glad that BB never over-did it in that department. Besides, I'm STILL amused at the concept of Batman having to take care of one of those eggbaby things, and his tribulations were well done.

Terry's Friend (etc.) may not have been the greatest episode, and true it was a bit cheesy and cliche'd. But I liked the execution of it, and Howard Grute was darn fun as the bombastic nerd. Come on, everyone knew someone like that in high school!

[Batman 80]

I think the episode Big Time was great because we learned more about Terry's past. We also learned that he was very sincere in wanting to stay on the straight path by turining down his best friends idea of earining a quick and easy buck.

[James]

Originally posted by naraht


I think SJJ meant the 3rd Season...I could be wrong though.

Sorry, the third 'series', is 'UKish' for third season. When I say 'UKish' I refer to the fact I'm very drunk and can't construct sentences...

We have labeled everything by series rather than season. Admittedly the hardcore film/TV enthusiast has adopted season as the appropriate term, but sometimes our heritage leaks through..

As far as I'm aware (and I have busy of late) the third season has not been shown in the UK. I don't know when...

Oh, I also LOVED eggbaby and where's Terry? Two highlights in a cumbersome end to series 2! (Yikes being negative - and at Xmas too!)
:D

[Sugar Daddy]

gotcha

[Failure]

Terry's internal dilemma in Babel.

The soundless fight in Shriek.

Bruce getting Max arrested in Where's Terry.

The scene in Rebirth where Bruce shuts off the lights and says "never again"

almost anything in ROTJ.

Basically anything that should Terry's growth and acceptance of responsibility, whether the scene in Babel or in Lost Soul when he went to fight the suit or in one of the Inque episodes where he doesnt want bruce to get involved so he wouldnt get hurt and so on.

There were a lot of great parts in BB, many of which everyone here has already mentioned and even more. I loved the show, it had some down points, but overall I was impressed by how legitimate (i cant seem to think of the right word) they made the future of Bruce and the role of Batman seem.

[Kathy Kane]

I think hands down it's got to be in Rebirth, when Terry and Power's crony are fighting in the sub,
and the Crony says" Not bad for some fool who thinks he's batman"
And Terry says " I am Batman!"
What a defining moment in the series. Terry is basically saying he not just some guy in a suit he is Batman. That's why I also think that Lost Soul was a great ep. Espicially the scene with Terry looking at the old costumes and realizing that only he can get the costume back.

that's all I can think of now--Call me Kane

[The Mad Hatter]

Ah yes, I had forgotten about Big Time. It was good to pit Terry against a figure from his past... particularly the figure that encouraged Terry to do the things that later, in an attempt to wash away old sins, inspired him to be Batman.

Also, I'll have to add the designs of the Splicers... I liked how most of them were human overlaid with hints of animal features, that's how I'd imagine real-life gene splicing would work.

Inque in general... like Clayface before her, somehow every episode that focused on her was excellent. Also, her animation in "Black Out" was darn good.

I'll have to support the music too. I know that techno/metal isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I thought that the series did an excellent job with it. In particular, there's the music from ROTJ... I'd have to say that the initial fight music with the Jokerz is some of the best I've ever heard! I've damn near worn out the soundtrack.

Man, I'm going to have to go back and watch my BB tapes again...

[James Harvey]

The best Inque moment had to be Inque jamming herself down Terry's throat. I think that had to be one of the most original ways to kill a hero, by forcing oneself into their body. MUDSLIDE did a similair thing with Batman being sucked into (basically) Clayface's body, but this one was just more brutal looking (and sounding when Terry coughed her up). That was the innovative Inque moment in the series...just brutal.

I also liked the underused "Big Time" character. While his design was a bit messy (both arms should have been huge), he was a great character. He definatly deserved at least a trilogy of episodes.

[James]

Originally posted by Kathy Kane
That's why I also think that Lost Soul was a great ep. Espicially the scene with Terry looking at the old costumes and realizing that only he can get the costume back.


I agree. We all want him to pull one of the other costumes out of the locker (we know which one!) but he knows and deep down we know that Terry has to relinquish his costume and not wear anothers. Not only does he need to retrieve his costume - his indentity - but he needs to do it his way and not in the shadow of the former Batman.

It's a moment when you realise this kid isn't just trying to fill Bruce's role, he is filling the of Batman. His Batman. This is a role of his own and Terry understands how vital it is.

He is the reinvention of Batman, not the continuation of.

[James Harvey]

I thought Lost Soul played a pivotal point in Terry's career. It was here he decided he;s more than just the costume, and succeeded. He showed his cunning and smarts and was able to defeat something roughly 10 times his strenght.

[Poison Carley]

Greatest Batman Beyond moment? Hmmmm! When it ended! ;) hehe no I liked the one with Mr. Freeze. I just think it was dumb that like he never returned when that show needed a little extra in the form of villians.

[James Harvey]

I think bring an end to Freeze was a good move. I think bringing him back would seem old hat. Finishing him off was a smart move.

[Poison Carley]

Well Stalker wasn't going to carry the franchise. I think they should have like did an episode where Riddler or Mad Hatter had a computer program that was causing trouble. Yes I remember that one episode with Vance.

[peterparker05]

I was a semi-avid watcher of Batman Beyond and I believe its best moments include Rebirth, Dissapearing Inque, Out of the Past, The Call, and The Return of the Joker.

[peterparker05]

I almost forgot. The Mr. Freeze episode, anything with the Royal Flush Gang and the Terrific Trio one were fun to watch as well.

[James Harvey]

I think that Batman Bryond did an excellent job handling the Royal Flush Gang. We were introduced to them, watch them on some heists, then watch them fall from grace. Just a nicely done arc...which would've made a nice three part VHS...but WB messed up that...as usual...

[The Mad Hatter]

Good point. Their situation constantly evolved, instead of resetting back to the status quo after each episode. The three eps made a nice trilogy.