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List of The Batman episodes
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The following is an episode list for the Kids' WB and Cartoon Network animated television series The Batman, starring the titular character. The series premiered on September 11, 2004, and ended on March 8, 2008,[1] with a total of 65 episodes being produced and aired over the series' three-and-a-half-year run; each season comprised 13 episodes.
All five seasons are available on DVD. A direct-to-DVD film titled The Batman vs. Dracula, based on the series, was released in on October 18, 2005, and made its television debut on Cartoon Network's Toonami block on October 22, 2005. There is also a spin-off comic book series, The Batman Strikes!, published by DC Comics which is set in the same continuity and style of The Batman.
Series overview
[edit]Episodes
[edit]Season 1 (2004–05)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Villain(s) | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code [2] | K9–14 viewers (in millions) | K6–11 rating/share | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "The Bat in the Belfry" | Joker & Rupert Thorne | Seung Eun Kim | Duane Capizzi | September 11, 2004 | 257–421 | 0.97[3] | 3.7/15[4][5][a] | ||||||||||
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Masked vigilante The Batman, alias billionaire industrialist Bruce Wayne, is publicly acknowledged as a menace by Chief of Police, Angel Rojas despite his work to combat crime over the past three years, who assigns Detective Ethan Bennett and his new partner Ellen Yin to capture him. At the same time, a break-out of inmates at Arkham Asylum leads Batman to discovering that the culprit is a crazed clown criminal calling himself The Joker, who has a gas that cause victims to be left paralyzed and have a fixed, yellow-toothed smile. Batman quickly discovers that The Joker plans to use the gas on Gotham City and attempts to stop him, with Yin and Bennett eager to do the same. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Call of the Cobblepot" | Penguin & Kabuki Twins | Brandon Vietti | Steven Melching | September 18, 2004[7] | 257–423 | 1.03[8] | 3.5/15[9][10] | ||||||||||
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A spate of thefts involving vultures, owls and crows that steal jewels, leaves Batman determined to discover who the culprit is. At the same time, Bruce finds his latest party at Wayne Manor gatecrashed by slobbish socialite Oswald Cobblepot, whose family Alfred Pennyworth's grandfather worked for. Bruce soon realizes Oswald, going under the name the Penguin, is responsible for the thefts, and soon has to stop him when Alfred is captured by him when trying to get back a serving tray he stole. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Traction" | Bane & Mob Bosses #1–#3 | Sam Liu | Adam Beechen | September 25, 2004[11] | 257–422 | 0.86[12] | 2.3[13] | ||||||||||
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Seeking revenge on Batman for ruining their criminal operations, three mob bosses meet together and hire a mysterious villain named Bane to finish him off, once and for all. Batman quickly discovers that Bane is no ordinary criminal, as he can gain superhuman strength through a special serum called venom that can be pumped into his body by a unique infusion system. Badly injured when confronting him, Bruce is forced to find a means to put a stop to Bane as he begins to terrorise the city. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 4 | "The Cat and the Bat" | Catwoman & Hideto Katsu | Sam Liu | Adam Beechen | October 2, 2004[14] | 257–426 | 0.92[15] | 3.7[16] | ||||||||||
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Batman encounters a new foe in the form of a skilled thief Selina Kyle, who operates under the alias of Catwoman. After thwarting her attempt to steal a figurine from its mysterious owner, Batman loses his utility belt to her in the process. Not only does he face problems when she messes with it, he also discovers she might use some of his gadgets to make a second attempt on the figurine. He also fears Catwoman has underestimated who its owner really is. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 5 | "The Man Who Would Be Bat" | Man-Bat | Seung Eun Kim | Thomas Pugsley & Greg Klein | October 30, 2004 | 257–424 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
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At Wayne Industries, Bruce becomes suspicious when Dr. Kirk Langstrom's work draws the attention of Yin and Bennett to Wayne Industries while pursuing his alter ego. Although Langstrom claims he is working on a cure for deafness, Bruce soon discovers him to actually working on a mutagenic serum that can allow him to transform into a giant beast dubbed "Man-Bat". Batman soon must put a stop to him, when he learns he must feed on blood and may soon attack humans for sustenance. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 6 | "The Big Chill" | Mister Freeze | Brandon Vietti | Greg Weisman | November 6, 2004 | 257–425 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
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Batman investigates a recent jewellery robbery from a yacht in Gotham Bay, and discover it to the work of a villain called Mr. Freeze, who use cryogenic powers. To his horror, Batman discovers he was once an ordinary thief named Victor Fries - an individual he had thought dead after pursuing him for the theft of diamonds, until a sequence of events caused him to crash into a cryogenics lab, where he later suffered a freak accident that mutated his body and made him dependent on a cryogenic suit to survive. Knowing he must stop him, Batman is forced to find a way to combat his new powers and confront his actions. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | 7 | "The Big Heat" | Firefly | Seung Eun Kim | Christopher Yost & J.D. Murray | November 13, 2004 | 257–427 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
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Bruce is concerned when Marion Grange, the mayor of Gotham City, informs him that a contract for work on the children's hospital may be awarded to GothCorp, a company with a rather dubious reputation, rather than Wayne Industries, despite the charity work of Bruce's late father. At the same time, Batman confronts a new villain, the jet-pack and fire-armed Firefly, while investigating a number of break-ins at tech firms around the city. When his effort to sway the city council fails, Bruce becomes suspicious of GothCorp's bid, and soon finds a connection between them, Firefly and the break-ins. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Q&A" | Cluemaster | Brandon Vietti | Steven Melching | November 20, 2004 | 257–428 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
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Batman investigates this sudden abduction of two people named Ross Daren and Herbert Ziegler from separate public events that occurred within during same day, shortly after each victim was publicly humilitated. He soon realizes that this culprit is Arthur Brown, an overweight manchild and former whiz kid who appeared on a children's quiz show called Think, Thank, Thunk, which both victims were hosting. Learning that Brown is now calling himself "Cluemaster" and abducting a Russian-born woman named Yelena Klimanov, Arthur's erstwhile opponent who beat him on this game show when both she and Arthur were children, Batman finds himself in a race against time to save his victims before Brown can execute all three of his victims as an act of revenge. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | 9 | "The Big Dummy" | Ventriloquist, Scarface, Rhino and Mugsy | Sam Liu | Robert Goodman | November 27, 2004 | 257–429 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
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Alfred attempts to coax Bruce into engaging in some online dating, hoping he may find solace with a loving companion, but the Batman is required to investigate a spate of robberies being conducted by Arnold Wesker, a ventriloquist with a spilt personality that leads the worst to come out through his ventriloquist dummy Scarface. While Bruce attempts to engage in Alfred's efforts, he is left to question if he can, especially when he learns Wesker's robberies are the basis for a much bigger heist. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | 10 | "Topsy Turvy" | Joker | Seung Eun Kim | Adam Beechen | February 5, 2005 | 257–430 | N/A | 3.3/13[17] | ||||||||||
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Bennett and Yin are shocked to find Joker has escaped Arkham Asylum and seeking to kidnap everyone who brought him down, intending each of his victims to be encased and paralyzed in large playing-card styled boxes. Batman investigates, but soon discovers Joker involved an accomplice to his schemes, prompting him to confront the real criminal. Joker soon proves to be far more devious, not only escaping for real, but leaving Batman in a race against time to save his intended victims from a tragic fate. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | 11 | "Bird of Prey" | Penguin and Kabuki Twins | Brandon Vietti | Steven Melching | February 12, 2005 | 257–431 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
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Bruce is reluctant to take part in a television documentary focused upon his lifestyle, owing to his work as Batman. The matter becomes complicated when Penguin breaks into the mansion, intending to steal everything. When he discovers what is going on, he soon takes everyone hostage and ensure the documentary is about himself. With a delicate situation on his hands, Bruce must not only stop Penguin, but must also ensure neither he nor the film crew learn his secret identity. | |||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | 12 | "The Rubber Face of Comedy" | Joker, Punch and Judy | Sam Liu | Greg Weisman | April 30, 2005 | 257–432 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
| 13 | 13 | "The Clayface of Tragedy" | Seung Eun Kim | May 7, 2005 | 257–433 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
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Joker returns to Gotham with two new henchman, Punch and Judy, and a new chemical creation that can be sprayed onto anything, turning it into putty. At the same time, Bruce questions whether he should reveal his secret identity of Batman to Bennett, as his friend and Yin are tasked with stopping Joker and Batman under a new zero-tolerance policy of Chief Rojas. Bennett soon gets himself captured and subjected to psychological torture by Joker, prompting Batman to rescue him. While his efforts to rescue the detective lead Yin to question her orders, Bennett is suspended from duty for questioning, only to learn his troubles are set to worsen. Bennett is horrified when he begins to suddenly mutate into a putty-like monster in his own home, not only able to comprehend what is happening, but being perceived as a monster that the media dubs as "Clayface". As he tries to adapt to his situation, he slowly pushes away Bruce and Yin, who begin to get suspicious. When Bennett goes after Rojas, blaming him for his transformation, Batman deduces that he was exposed to Joker's chemical spray, which mutated his cells, and that his torture at their hands has badly damaged his sanity. As he works to prevent the situation worsening, Yin slowly begins to learn just how important he is to Gotham's protection. | |||||||||||||||||||
Season 2 (2005)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Villain(s) | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code [2] | K6–11 rating/share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 1 | "The Cat, the Bat, and the Very Ugly" | Penguin, Kabuki Twins, & Catwoman | Brandon Vietti | Thomas Pugsley & Greg Klein | May 14, 2005 | 257–434 | N/A |
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Catwoman finds herself entering a partnership with Penguin, when both discover they are after the same thing - a pair of valuable Egyptian relics. When Batman attempts to stop their scheme, Penguin double-crosses Catwoman, and binds her to their common foe. Forced to work together, Batman and Catwoman discover the relics, when combined, can form a beam of light into a powerful weapon. Discovering Penguin intends to do just that with Gotham's abandoned lighthouse, the pair must stop him before he can hold the city for ransom with the weapon. | ||||||||
| 15 | 2 | "Riddled" | Riddler & Riddlemen | Sam Liu | Christopher Yost & J.D. Murray | May 21, 2005 | 257–435 | N/A |
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The GCPD find themselves dealing with a new threat in the form of Riddler, who has planted a bomb at Gotham's city hall. Yin secretly works with Batman to defuse the device, only for the pair to be forced to defuse other explosives around the city. But as they make progress, Batman begins to realize Riddler has a far greater scheme, leading him and Yin to retrace their steps when they discover that their foe intends to use Gotham's information network for his own purposes. | ||||||||
| 16 | 3 | "Fire & Ice" | Mister Freeze & Firefly | Sam Liu | Joseph Kuhr | May 28, 2005 | 257–441 | N/A |
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Batman finds himself investigating a series of thefts during a cold winter in Gotham, discovering that Firefly and Mr. Freeze are working together to steal components from various companies around the city. At the same time, Bruce must attend the GCPD's annual gala charity ball despite his investigations, but matters soon change when Firefly and Freeze use a cryogenic weapon to take control of Gotham's heating system, using it to freeze the gala while he is attending it. As the only one able to escape, Bruce is forced to assume his role as Batman to stop the pair, before the rest of the city is targeted. | ||||||||
| 17 | 4 | "The Laughing Bat" | Penguin & Joker | Seung Eun Kim | Michael Jelenic | June 4, 2005 | 257–445 | N/A |
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Gotham's citizens become nervous when Joker suddenly decides to become the "Batman", going after anyone for their crimes no matter how trivial it is, and charging the city for his services. Batman, seeking to stop this, finds himself attacked by Joker, who injects him with Joker venom. Bruce, who begins to transform into a new Joker, finds he must recover Joker's venom to create an antidote, though the matter becomes complicated when Penguin commits a bank heist that draws in Joker's attention, leading to a threeway bout between them and Batman. | ||||||||
| 18 | 5 | "Swamped" | Killer Croc | Brandon Vietti | Thomas Pugsley & Greg Klein | June 11, 2005 | 257–437 | N/A |
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A group of jewel thieves find themselves being made to work for a new criminal in Gotham called Killer Croc - a large, anthropomorphic crocodile-man, who has big plans for the city. Batman soon investigates when the group begin stealing several items for a large scheme, and soon discovers that they have taken control of the city's water pumps to flood the wealthy districts, force citizens and the police out to plunder them. To prevent further robberies, Batman find he must stop Croc, and prevent him flooding the city any further. | ||||||||
| 19 | 6 | "Pets" | Penguin and Man-Bat | Sam Liu | J.D. Murray & Christopher Yost | June 18, 2005 | 257–438 | N/A |
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Penguin takes interest in a new sonic device that can control birds hoping to use it on a large, rare condor to commit crimes. But Batman's interference causes his trained birds to lose the device and steal another that controls bats. Penguin is shocked when he uses the devices and attracts Man-Bat to his hideout, but swiftly sees an opportunity. Batman finds himself seeking to end the situation, but the matter is not made easy when a raccoon gets into the Bat-Cave and damages equipment, forcing Alfred to stop it to ensure his master can succeed. | ||||||||
| 20 | 7 | "Meltdown" | Joker, Hugo Strange & Clayface | Seung Eun Kim | Greg Weisman | June 25, 2005 | 257–439 | N/A |
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Bennett is captured by Batman when he attempts to get revenge on Joker, though his actions allow his target to escape from Arkham Asylum. At his trial, both Bruce and Yin testify on his behalf, alongside Arkham's new psychiatric expert Dr. Hugo Strange, allowing Bennett to be released on probation and receive a job at Wayne Industries. His efforts to lead a normal life are not made easy when Joker launches a crime spree and he attempts to stop it. Bruce soon worries for his friend, and his fear soon come true when Bennett's lack of control leads him on a path to crime. | ||||||||
| 21 | 8 | "JTV" | Joker, Punch and Judy | Seung Eun Kim | Michael Jelenic | July 9, 2005 | 257–436 | N/A |
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Joker sets up a pirate TV channel, dubbed "JTV", and announces his attentions over Gotham's airwaves to kidnap Mayor Grange. Batman soon pursues after him when he succeeds, concerned of what he is plotting after using Joker gas on him, while Yin struggles with her new overzealous partner Cash Tankinson, who attracts Joker's attention. When Cash is soon kidnapped and subjected to the same treatment, Batman attempts to rescue both victims after tracing Joker's broadcasts, but soon learns that the clown criminal is plotting something far worse for Gotham with his broadcasts. | ||||||||
| 22 | 9 | "Ragdolls to Riches" | Catwoman and Ragdoll | Seung Eun Kim | Adam Beechen | July 16, 2005 | 257–442 | N/A |
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Batman discovers that both he and Catwoman have a new problem in the form of Ragdoll, a triple-jointed contortionist who seeks to steal priceless artifacts. While not as their alter egos, Selina Kyle opts to befriend Bruce Wayne, though their evening together is short-lived when Ragdoll turns up again. Eager to beat him, Batman decides to lay a trap to lure both him and Catwoman, with the bait being some priceless gems a gangster hid in one of the Wayne family's properties - a clock tower. | ||||||||
| 23 | 10 | "The Butler Did It" | Spellbinder | Brandon Vietti | Alexx Van Dyne | August 20, 2005 | 257–440 | N/A |
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Alfred finds that a dream he had was all too real when he and Bruce discover that he stole a Ming vase from the mansion. Seeking to find out more, Bruce discovers that Alfred and the butlers of some billionaires he works with were hypnotized by Spellbinder, a three-eyed mystic with the ability not only to hypnotise but also induce visions. It becomes clear that Spellbinder has his eyes set on the valuable Eye of Sarkana, but Alfred quickly discovers that it will not be stolen by the butlers, but by their masters, which presents problems for Bruce's alter ego. | ||||||||
| 24 | 11 | "Grundy's Night" | Solomon Grundy & Clayface | Sam Liu | Adam Beechen | August 27, 2005 | 257–444 | N/A |
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It's Halloween night, yet there are real scares in store when Solomon Grundy, a zombie legend of Gotham, comes to life and begins going after the descendants of those who founded the city, robbing them and destroying everything they own. As Batman and Alfred try to stop him, it soon becomes clear that Grundy is not all that he appears to be. | ||||||||
| 25 | 12 | "Strange Minds" | Joker & Hugo Strange | Brandon Vietti | Greg Weisman | September 3, 2005 | 257–443 | N/A |
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Yin finds herself a hostage to Joker, who refuses to give up her location when captured, claiming she will go out with a big "pop" unless he is released. Seeking to find out where she is, Dr. Hugo Strange opts to use a device created by Wayne Enterprises to find the answers, but Batman believes he stands a better chance, and uses the prototype of the device to enter Joker's mind. But he soon finds it a dangerous place to be in, and that he could go mad if he is not careful. | ||||||||
| 26 | 13 | "Night and the City" | Joker, Riddler, Penguin, Punch and Judy, Kabuki Twins | Brandon Vietti | Steven Melching | September 10, 2005 | 257–446 | 1.6[5] |
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As a way to settle a dispute over who will claim Gotham, Joker, Penguin and Riddler have a contest to see who can capture Batman and discover his true identity. While Batman prepares to stop all three, his ally in the police force is compromised when Rojas discovers that Yin has been helping him. Soon she and Batman find themselves trying to stay ahead of the police while apprehending the three criminals, though help may be on hand in the form of Police Commissioner James Gordon, who believes that only Batman can stop Joker, Penguin and Riddler from bringing mayhem on Gotham's streets. As a result of their heroics, Yin is reinstated to the GCPD, and Batman's charges are dropped, as the police accept his work. | ||||||||
Season 3 (2005–06)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Villain(s) | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code [2] | K6–11 rating/share | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 1 | "Batgirl Begins" | Temblor and Poison Ivy | Brandon Vietti | Michael Jelenic | September 17, 2005 | 345–301 | 2.4[10] | ||||||||
| 28 | 2 | Poison Ivy | Christopher Berkeley | Michael Jelenic and Adam Beechen | September 24, 2005 | 345–302 | 2.3[13] | |||||||||
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Barbara Gordon recounts the story of how she became Batgirl. In the first part, Barbara recalls how she and her friend, Pamela Isley, led protests against corporations for environmental damage they caused, much to her father's displeasure. Unbeknown to her or Batman, Pamela is the brains behind a string of attacks against these corporations with a powerful new super-villain named Temblor. She soon gets more than she bargains for when Temblor begins wondering why he has not been paid for his work as promised, placing her and Barbara in extreme danger. Continuing her story, Barbara recalls how Pamela's chemical accident during the fight between Temblor and Batman, caused her body to mutate and give her power over plants and spores that can mind-control men. Becoming Poison Ivy, she soon continues her attacks against waste-dumping corporations, but when she kidnaps Commissioner Gordon and places Batman under her control, Barbara, inspired by the caped crusader, becomes her own hero in the form of Batgirl, the only one capable of turning things around. | ||||||||||||||||
| 29 | 3 | "A Dark Knight to Remember" | Penguin & Kabuki Twins | Brandon Vietti | Joseph Kuhr | October 1, 2005 | 345–304 | 2.3[16] | ||||||||
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Bruce Wayne suffers amnesia when fighting against Penguin, forgetting his role as Batman, and leaving him able to continue his crime spree. Barbara, who suspects he is Batman but later believes she is mistaken, tries to stop Penguin but is soon captured. With Batgirl in trouble, Alfred decides it's essential for Bruce to relearn his role as Batman if she is to stand any chance of rescue. | ||||||||||||||||
| 30 | 4 | "A Fistful of Felt" | Ventriloquist, Scarface, Joker, Penguin, Hugo Strange, Rhino and Mugsy | Anthony Chun | Steven Melching | October 8, 2005 | 345–303 | 2.5[18] | ||||||||
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After he is captured once again, Arnold Wesker is released from Arkham when Dr. Hugo Strange "cures" him by removing Scarface from him, allowing the former criminal to use his ventriloquism to start a new career as a children's entertainer. Batman is initially suspicious of this, but gives Arnold the benefit of the doubt, unaware that Strange plans to reunite him with his former puppet, which soon brings trouble. | ||||||||||||||||
| 31 | 5 | "RPM" | Gearhead | Christopher Berkeley | Christopher Yost | November 5, 2005 | 345–305 | 2.0[19] | ||||||||
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While partaking in a charity race, Bruce witnesses Gearhead, a villain who can take over anything mechanical and transform it with nanomachines into a powerfully fast vehicle, to steal the race's prize. Both Batman and Batgirl attempt to stop him, but when Gearhead destroys the Batmobile, Bruce decides to build a better one that can bring down the villain. | ||||||||||||||||
| 32 | 6 | "Brawn" | Joker | Brandon Vietti | Alexx Van Dyne | November 12, 2005 | 345–307 | 2.4[20] | ||||||||
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Batman and Batgirl find themselves dealing with new trouble from Joker, when he manages to get a hold of Bane's Venom Infusion system to become a true comedy "powerhouse". With his new-found strength, Joker's latest crime spree seems unstoppable, especially when Batgirl accidentally causes Batman to be captured when she borrows his power suit. To rescue him, Batgirl discovers that she must overcome her own limitations to master control of the suit as well as stop Joker. | ||||||||||||||||
| 33 | 7 | "The Laughing Cats" | Catwoman, Joker, Punch and Judy | Christopher Berkeley | Joseph Kuhr | November 19, 2005 | 345–308 | N/A | ||||||||
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Catwoman seems to be the suspect in the theft of a rare Black Siberian Leopard, but it soon turns out that Joker is behind the theft when Batman and Batgirl investigate and attempt to protect a second leopard of the same breed, unaware that Catwoman is interested in the matter. When all three discover that the cats were stolen for Killgore Steed, the owner of several dangerous creatures, no one anticipates Joker double-crossing him and using his personal maze and creatures to put an end to Batman, Batgirl and Catwoman. | ||||||||||||||||
| 34 | 8 | "Fleurs du Mal" | Poison Ivy and Penguin | Anthony Chun | David Slack | November 26, 2005 | 345–309 | 1.5/9[21] | ||||||||
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When Gotham's police and government officials, including Mayor Grange and Commissioner Gordon, enact strange, new laws, Barbara discovers that the cause is a mysterious plant that they all received. Batman and Batgirl soon discover that Poison Ivy is responsible and that she has replaced the officials with plant-based copies, leading the pair to stop her and her clones, while finding where the real officials have been taken to. | ||||||||||||||||
| 35 | 9 | "Cash for Toys" | Toymaker | Anthony Chun | Steven Melching | February 4, 2006 | 345–306 | 2.1/9[22] | ||||||||
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Cosmo Krank seemed to be an ingenious toymaker, but all of his creations were dangerous for kids to use, leading to Bruce and Wayne Industries shutting his company down. Bruce soon finds himself as the target of the toymaker, who seeks revenge by killing him with newer, diabolical versions of his toys. Knowing that Batman must bring him down, things are not so easy when Commissioner Gordon assigns Detective Cash to be Bruce's bodyguard until the demented villain is arrested, forcing Bruce to find a way to ditch Cash to become the Batman and stop Cosmo. | ||||||||||||||||
| 36 | 10 | "The Apprentice" | Joker, Prank, Punch and Judy | Brandon Vietti | Steven Melching | February 11, 2006 | 345–310 | 2.1/8[23] | ||||||||
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Upset that Batman and his new sidekick, Batgirl, are ruining his plans, Joker decides that he needs a partner of his own. He soon finds the right person in Donnie, a misguided prankster who attends classes at the same high school as Barbara. When she realises that Donnie is Joker's new sidekick called Prank, she and Batman find themselves trying to convince him that Joker is not a good role model to have. | ||||||||||||||||
| 37 | 11 | "Thunder" | Maxie Zeus | Christopher Berkeley | Paul Giacoppo | February 18, 2006 | 345–311 | 1.9/8[24] | ||||||||
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No one could have anticipated that Maximillian Zeus, a technology entrepreneur, billionaire, and Greek and Roman history fanatic, would seek to take control of Gotham, but it does when he looks set to lose to Mayor Grange during a mayoral election. Using a giant aircraft called New Olympus that is equipped with a powerful weapon and crewed by his personal security force of "Gladiators", he soon threatens the city leaving Batman to stop him. But he soon discovers that Batgirl is far more resourceful, as she finally proves that she deserves to be his sidekick. | ||||||||||||||||
| 38 | 12 | "The Icy Depths" | Mister Freeze and Penguin | Anthony Chun | Steven Melching | May 6, 2006 | 345–312 | 1.6/7[25] | ||||||||
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Alfred is surprised when an old school friend of his turns up in Gotham and invites his friend on a treasure hunt. Although weary of his friend, Alfred agrees, unaware that the treasure being sought out for, is the target of both Penguin and Mr. Freeze. Batman is forced to join the hunt, and soon deduces that the treasure lies beneath Gotham Bay. | ||||||||||||||||
| 39 | 13 | "Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind" | D.A.V.E. and Hugo Strange | Brandon Vietti | Alexx Van Dyne | May 13, 2006 | 345–313 | 1.8/8[26] | ||||||||
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A new villain emerges in the form of D.A.V.E. (Digitally Advanced Villain Emulator), an AI database created by Hugo Strange that is encoded with the minds of Gotham's greatest criminals and breaks free to commit crimes. Batman finds himself trying to stop D.A.V.E., when the AI proclaims itself as the ultimate criminal and plans to reveal to Gotham the true identity of Batman, unaware that things are not what they seem to be. | ||||||||||||||||
Season 4 (2006–07)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Villain(s) | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code [2] | K6–11 rating/share | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 1 | "A Matter of Family" | Tony Zucco | Brandon Vietti | Michael Jelenic | September 23, 2006 | 040 | 2.2/10[27] | ||||||||
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After a young circus performer named Richard Grayson loses his parents to a criminal named Tony Zucco, Bruce adopts the boy, since he knows what it feels like to lose his family. Batman then sets out to bring Mr. and Mrs. Grayson's killer to justice. Once Bruce's secret is revealed, Richard joins Batman as his new sidekick, Robin. | ||||||||||||||||
| 41 | 2 | "Team Penguin" | Penguin, Killer Croc, Bane, Ragdoll, Killer Moth, and Firefly | Anthony Chun | Joseph Kuhr | September 30, 2006 | 041 | 1.8/9[28] | ||||||||
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After watching a film about criminal masterminds, Penguin forms Team Penguin along with Killer Croc, Ragdoll, Firefly and newcomer Killer Moth to finally take Batman down. Meanwhile, Batgirl and Robin must learn how to work together. Moth gets infected by a chemical which the team stole and mutates into a giant, monstrous moth. | ||||||||||||||||
| 42 | 3 | "Clayfaces" | Joker, Clayface, Basil Karlo, Punch and Judy | Matt Youngberg | Steven Melching | October 7, 2006 | 042 | 1.9/8[29] | ||||||||
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After Ethan Bennett foils one of Joker's plans, he plans to prove himself to Batman by turning a new leaf. Meanwhile, has-been actor Basil Karlo steals the mutagen responsible for mutating Bennett and becomes the new Clayface. Batman is unsure if he can trust Ethan enough to let him help stop Karlo. | ||||||||||||||||
| 43 | 4 | "The Everywhere Man" | Everywhere Man | Brandon Vietti | Greg Weisman | November 4, 2006 | 043 | 1.9/9[30] | ||||||||
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When evidence from a series of art thefts by the Everywhere Man, a new costumed villain with the power to replicate, implicates Bruce's close friend John Marlowe, Batman believes there must be another explanation. Now, Batman must unmask the identity of the "Everywhere Man" and prove his friend's innocence. | ||||||||||||||||
| 44 | 5 | "The Breakout" | Black Mask and Number One | Matt Youngberg | Alexx Van Dyne | November 11, 2006 | 045 | 1.2/5[31] | ||||||||
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After Batman apprehends Black Mask, his henchmen plan to spring him from Gotham P.D. so that Black Mask can activate his doomsday device. When Batman is captured, Batgirl and Robin must stop the villain and save the city on their own. | ||||||||||||||||
| 45 | 6 | "Strange New World" | Hugo Strange | Anthony Chun | Joseph Kuhr | November 18, 2006 | 044 | 1.8/8[32] | ||||||||
|
Hugo Strange infects the population of Gotham with a virus that transforms them into zombies, and only Batman and Robin are left to find and distribute the antidote. | ||||||||||||||||
| 46 | 7 | "Artifacts" | Mister Freeze | Brandon Vietti | Greg Weisman | February 3, 2007 | 046 | N/A | ||||||||
|
A thousand years into the possible future, the citizens of new Gotham must uncover the history of Batman to stop a new-and-improved Mr. Freeze. | ||||||||||||||||
| 47 | 8 | "Seconds" | Francis Grey | Matt Youngberg | Steven Melching | February 10, 2007 | 048 | 1.6/6[33] | ||||||||
|
The Bat Team goes up against an unstoppable thief who knows their every move. | ||||||||||||||||
| 48 | 9 | "Riddler's Revenge" | Riddler and Riddlemen | Brandon Vietti | Stan Berkowitz | February 17, 2007 | 049 | 1.8/7[34] | ||||||||
|
Riddler and Batman are in a crate, dropped at the bottom of Gotham Harbor. Riddler reveals his origins. | ||||||||||||||||
| 49 | 10 | "Two of a Kind" | Joker, Harley Quinn, Punch and Judy | Anthony Chun | Paul Dini | February 24, 2007 | 047 | 1.6/7[35] | ||||||||
|
When pop psychology TV host Harleen Quinzel is canceled from her television program for ambushing Bruce Wayne and for her bad advice, Joker takes an interest and decides to turn her into his partner in crime, Harley Quinn. | ||||||||||||||||
| 50 | 11 | "Rumors" | Rumor, Joker, Penguin, Bane, Catwoman, Killer Croc, Riddler, Man-Bat, Firefly, and many more. | Matt Youngberg | Joseph Kuhr | March 3, 2007 | 050 | 1.4/6[36] | ||||||||
|
The villains of Gotham are disappearing, each one defeated and captured by an invisible vigilante named Rumor. Batman and Robin must defeat Rumor before he has a chance to execute all the villains. | ||||||||||||||||
| 51 | 12 | "The Joining" | Anthony Chun | Douglas Petrie and Jane Espenson | April 28, 2007 | 051 | 1.7/8[37] | |||||||||
| 52 | 13 | The Joining, Joker (Cameo), Mr.Freeze (Cameo), Penguin (Cameo), Bane (Cameo) | Brandon Vietti & Vinton Heuck | May 5, 2007 | 052 | 1.3/7[38] | ||||||||||
|
Bruce discovers that Wayne Industries is distributing alien technology across the world and gains the aid of a mysterious ally, who warns him of an alien race threatening to conquer Earth. Meanwhile, Batman begins to wonder whether he would be better off without Batgirl and Robin. The Joining has launched its attack on Earth and the key to defeating them is Wayne Industries' satellites. As Batman and Martian Manhunter attempt to penetrate Wayne Towers, Alfred encourages Batgirl and Robin to disobey Batman while the battle for Earth begins. | ||||||||||||||||
Season 5 (2007–08)
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Villain(s) | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code [39] | K6–11 rating/share | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 1 | "The Batman / Superman Story" | Vinton Heuck | Alan Burnett | September 22, 2007 | 501 | 1.5/8[40] | |||||||||
| 54 | 2 | Poison Ivy, Clayface, Mercy Graves & Lex Luthor | Christopher Berkeley | Steve Cuden | September 29, 2007 | 502 | 1.3/7[41] | |||||||||
|
Batman and Superman find themselves teamed up when Lex Luthor begins operations in Gotham to take down Superman, and employs a horde of Batman's villains to do so. Lex later on gets a hold of Poison Ivy's mind control gas, laces it with Kryptonite, and now becomes able to control Superman's mind. Batman and Robin must battle Superman, who is now under the mind control of Lex Luthor, as the villain plans to launch a wave of Lex Corps' robots and take over all of the world's armies. | ||||||||||||||||
| 55 | 3 | "Vertigo" | Count Vertigo | John Fang | Stan Berkowitz | October 6, 2007 | 503 | 1.3/6[42] | ||||||||
|
Batman welcomes another member of the Justice League to Gotham as he teams up with Green Arrow when Count Vertigo, a villain who can affect people's sense of balance, arrives in the city with a diabolical plan. | ||||||||||||||||
| 56 | 4 | "White Heat" | Firefly / Phosphorus & Blaze | Vinton Heuck | Joseph Kuhr | October 13, 2007 | 504 | 1.8/8[43] | ||||||||
|
Firefly tries to upgrade his powers with the aid of his new girlfriend Blaze, but is exposed to radioactive phosphorus and takes on a more dangerous identity as Phosphorus. The Bat Team must stop him from using a nuclear power plant to blow up Gotham. | ||||||||||||||||
| 57 | 5 | "A Mirror Darkly" | Mirror Master & Smoke | Christopher Berkeley | Steven Melching | November 3, 2007 | 505 | 1.2/6[44] | ||||||||
|
Batman and Robin team up with Flash to thwart Mirror Master's plans to trap everyone in their own mirror image. | ||||||||||||||||
| 58 | 6 | "Joker Express" | Joker, Punch and Judy | John Fang | Brian Swenlin | November 10, 2007 | 506 | 0.7/3[45] | ||||||||
|
Gotham citizens are bursting into hysterical laughter and dumping their stolen goods into the river, putting Batman, Robin and Batgirl onto the trail of The Joker, who is using a steam train to commit his new crime wave. | ||||||||||||||||
| 59 | 7 | "Ring Toss" | Penguin & Sinestro | Christopher Berkeley | Len Uhley | December 8, 2007 | 507 | 1.2/5[46] | ||||||||
|
Green Lantern seeks Batman's help in locating renegade Green Lantern Sinestro, but when the villain comes to Earth, Penguin ends up with the hero's power ring. | ||||||||||||||||
| 60 | 8 | "The Metal Face of Comedy" | Joker, Joker 2.0, Harley Quinn, Marty, Punch and Judy | Vinton Heuck | Alexx Van Dyne | December 15, 2007 | 508 | 1.1/6[47] | ||||||||
|
With the help of a hacker, Joker's mind is downloaded into a computer, enabling him to control the new WayneTech Nanobots. This creates a new and improved body who attempts to destroy Batman, Robin, and the original Joker. | ||||||||||||||||
| 61 | 9 | "Attack of the Terrible Trio" | The Terrible Trio | John Fang | Stan Berkowitz | February 2, 2008 | 509 | 1.1/5[48] | ||||||||
|
A trio of college misfits use stolen mutagens from Kirk Langstrom to mutate themselves into human-animal forms and get revenge on those who have scorned them. | ||||||||||||||||
| 62 | 10 | "The End of the Batman" | Ventriloquist, Scarface, Joker, Harley Quinn, Penguin, Killer Croc, Wrath & Scorn | Vinton Heuck | Robert Goodman | February 9, 2008 | 510 | N/A | ||||||||
|
Wrath and Scorn, the Dynamic Duo's evil counterparts, are helping Joker, Penguin, Killer Croc, and Ventriloquist and Scarface with a job and Batman and Robin must stop their evil counterparts. | ||||||||||||||||
| 63 | 11 | "What Goes Up..." | Shadow Thief, Black Mask & Number One | Christopher Berkeley | Alexx Van Dyne | February 16, 2008 | 511 | 0.7/3[49] | ||||||||
| 64 | 12 | "Lost Heroes" "Batman Movie"[50] | John Fang & Vinton Heuck | Stan Berkowitz and Alexx Van Dyne | March 8, 2008 | 512 | 1.7/7[50] | |||||||||
| 65 | 13 | Hugo Strange & The Joining | 513 | |||||||||||||
|
The super-powered members of the Justice League begin disappearing one by one. Only Batman, Robin, and Green Arrow are left to investigate and discover that their old enemies and The Joining are involved. The heroes fight their android counterparts to recover the Justice League's powers, while Hugo Strange prepares for The Joinings' final assault on Earth. | ||||||||||||||||
Film (2005)
[edit]The 2005 direct-to-video feature film The Batman vs. Dracula was released after four episodes of the third season had aired. An intended sequel based on Batman: Hush was in pre-production before the project was cancelled. The film was released to DVD on October 18, 2005, and made its television debut on Cartoon Network's Toonami block on October 22. It was released on DVD as a tie-in with the live-action Batman Begins.
| Title | Villain(s) | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Batman vs. Dracula | Dracula, Joker & Penguin | Michael Goguen | Duane Capizzi | October 18, 2005 | |
|
Gotham is terrorized not only by Joker and Penguin, but by the original creature of the night, Dracula. Batman must stop the ruthless vampire before he turns everyone in the city into his mindless minions. | |||||
Notes
[edit]- ^ This episode also received:
- a 7.0/31 share with male tweens 9–14
- a 4.0/17 share among all tweens aged 9–14
References
[edit]Specific
[edit]- "The Batman Season 1". Worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
- "The Batman Season 2". Worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
- "The Batman Season 3". Worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
- "The Batman Season 4". Worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
- "The Batman Prod Codes and airdates". epguide.com. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
- "The Batman Writers list". Worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
- "The Batman Directors list". Worldsfinestonline.com. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
General
[edit]- ^ "The Batman renewed for 5th season". Toonzone.net. Archived from the original on April 16, 2007. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
- ^ a b c d From the United States Copyright Office catalog: "Public Catalog - Copyright Catalog (1978 to present) - Basic Search [search: "The Batman"]". United States Copyright Office.
- ^ Diego Vazquez (September 17, 2004). "A new 'Real World' and a boost in teens". Media Life Magazine. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
- ^ Tommy Lawson (September 18, 2004). "Universal Ratings Report for Saturday 9/11". Toonzone. Archived from the original on October 11, 2004. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ a b Freedom Fighter (September 21, 2005). "Fall 2005 Ratings Report Thread". Anime Superhero Forums. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ^ Maxie Zeus (September 18, 2004). ""The Batman", "Boom Crew" Debut with Strong Ratings". Toonzone. Archived from the original on October 9, 2004. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ "THE BATMAN UPDATE". comicscontinuum.com. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ Diego Vazquez (September 24, 2004). "A bummer season start among teens". Media Life Magazine. Archived from the original on February 19, 2006. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
- ^ Tommy Lawson (September 24, 2004). "Universal Ratings Report for Saturday 9/18". Toonzone. Archived from the original on April 21, 2005. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ a b Freedom Fighter (September 23, 2005). "Fall 2005 Ratings Report Thread". Anime Superhero Forums. p. 1. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ "THE BATMAN UPDATE". comicscontinuum.com. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ Diego Vazquez (October 1, 2004). "Meet Mac. You can just imagine Bloo". Media Life Magazine. Archived from the original on March 6, 2006. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
- ^ a b Freedom Fighter (October 1, 2005). "Fall 2005 Ratings Report Thread". Anime Superhero Forums. p. 1. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ "THE BATMAN UPDATE". comicscontinuum.com. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ Diego Vazquez (October 8, 2004). "Big hit premiere from the not-so-big N". Media Life Magazine. Archived from the original on November 5, 2005. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
- ^ a b Freedom Fighter (October 7, 2005). "Fall 2005 Ratings Report Thread". Anime Superhero Forums. p. 2. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ Tommy Lawson (February 11, 2005). "Universal Ratings Report for Saturday 2/5". Anime Superhero Forums. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ Freedom Fighter (October 17, 2005). "Fall 2005 Ratings Report Thread". Anime Superhero Forums. p. 2. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Freedom Fighter (November 13, 2005). "Fall 2005 Ratings Report Thread". Anime Superhero Forums. p. 5. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Freedom Fighter (November 21, 2005). "Fall 2005 Ratings Report Thread". Anime Superhero Forums. p. 5. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Monday, December 5th, 2005". Cynopsis. Cynopsis: Media. December 5, 2005. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Friday, February 10th, 2006". Cynopsis. Cynopsis: Media. February 10, 2006. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Friday, February 17th, 2006". Cynopsis. Cynopsis: Media. February 17, 2006. Archived from the original on June 14, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Monday, February 27th, 2006". Cynopsis. Cynopsis: Media. February 27, 2006. Archived from the original on June 14, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Tuesday, May 16th, 2006". Cynopsis. Cynopsis: Media. May 16, 2006. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Friday, May 19th, 2006". Cynopsis. Cynopsis: Media. May 19, 2006. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
- ^ Cynopsis (October 2, 2006). "Monday, October 2nd, 2006". Cynopsis Media. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Cynopsis (October 6, 2006). "Froday, October 6th, 2006". Cynopsis Media. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Cynopsis (October 16, 2006). "Monday, October 16th, 2006". Cynopsis Media. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Cynopsis (November 10, 2006). "Friday, November 10th, 2006". Cynopsis Media. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Cynopsis (November 17, 2006). "Friday, November 17th, 2006". Cynopsis Media. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Cynopsis (November 29, 2006). "Wednesday, November 29th, 2006". Cynopsis Media. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Cynopsis (February 16, 2007). "Friday, February 16th, 2007". Cynopsis Media. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ Cynopsis (February 26, 2007). "Monday, February 26th, 2007". Cynopsis Media. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Cynopsis (March 2, 2007). "Friday, March 2nd, 2007". Cynopsis Media. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Cynopsis (March 9, 2007). "Friday, March 9th, 2007". Cynopsis Media. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Cynopsis (May 4, 2007). "Friday, May 4th, 2007". Cynopsis Media. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Cynopsis (May 11, 2007). "Friday, May 11th, 2007". Cynopsis Media. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "The Batman (2004)". epguides.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2008. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Friday, September 28th, 2007". Cynopsis: Media. Cynopsis. September 28, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Friday, October 5th, 2007". Cynopsis: Media. Cynopsis. October 5, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Monday, October 15th, 2007". Cynopsis: Media. Cynopsis. October 15, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Friday, October 19th, 2007". Cynopsis: Media. Cynopsis. October 19, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Monday, November 12th, 2007". Cynopsis: Media. Cynopsis. November 12, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Friday, November 16th, 2007". Cynopsis: Media. Cynopsis. November 16, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Friday, December 14th, 2007". Cynopsis: Media. Cynopsis. December 14, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Friday, December 21st, 2007". Cynopsis: Media. Cynopsis. December 21, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Monday, February 11th, 2008". Cynopsis: Media. Cynopsis. February 11, 2008. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Monday, February 25th, 2008". Cynopsis: Media. Cynopsis. February 25, 2008. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ a b "Friday, March 14th, 2008". Cynopsis: Media. Cynopsis. March 14, 2008. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
External links
[edit]List of The Batman episodes
View on GrokipediaSeries information
Production and development
The Batman was developed by producers Duane Capizzi and Michael Goguen, with character designer Jeff Matsuda providing a fresh take on the DC Comics superhero for a young audience, premiering on Kids' WB on September 11, 2004, and concluding its run on March 8, 2008.[5][6] Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, the series consisted of 65 television episodes across five seasons, supplemented by the direct-to-video film The Batman vs. Dracula released in 2005.[7] Capizzi's initial pitch emphasized a "Year Three" concept, portraying Batman in his early years as a vigilante evolving into Gotham's protector, with a focus on Bruce Wayne's perspective rather than villain backstories to maintain audience sympathy with the hero.[5][8] This approach aimed to deliver a darker, action-oriented narrative suitable for children, distinguishing it from prior Batman animations by prioritizing detective elements and high-stakes heroism over emotional depth for antagonists.[5] The series' distinctive art style drew from anime influences and 1960s comic book aesthetics, featuring bold, angular character designs with vibrant, fantastical villain outfits and cel-shaded animation that evoked dynamic, exaggerated movements.[9] Jeff Matsuda, known for his work on Jackie Chan Adventures, crafted the visual look to blend comic book flair with subtle Japanese cartoon inspirations, creating a stylized Gotham that balanced grit and accessibility.[9] The voice cast was led by Rino Romano as the adult Batman/Bruce Wayne, capturing a youthful intensity for the character's early career.[10] Other key roles included Evan Sabara as Dick Grayson/Robin, Alastair Duncan as Alfred Pennyworth, and Danielle Judovits as Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, contributing to the ensemble's energetic performances.[10] Over its run, the series evolved from a solo origin-focused narrative in Season 1, which depicted Batman's initial battles and the transformation of allies like Ethan Bennett into Clayface, to broader team dynamics in subsequent seasons.[5] Season 2 introduced Commissioner Gordon and the Bat-Signal, solidifying Batman's institutional role, while Season 3 brought in Batgirl for a "Terrific Trio" formation, expanding to larger arcs involving new villains and psychological depth, such as the Riddler's origins.[5][11] Later seasons shifted toward ensemble team-ups, incorporating Justice League members like Martian Manhunter and Nightwing, alongside epic threats like alien invasions, reflecting Batman's growth from lone operator to leader of a maturing heroic team.[11] A key milestone occurred after Season 3, when the series transitioned from Kids' WB to Cartoon Network for its final two seasons, allowing for more ambitious storytelling within the expanded DC Universe.[3]Broadcast and release
The Batman premiered on the Kids' WB Saturday morning block on September 11, 2004, with its first season running from that date through May 7, 2005.[1][12] The second season aired from May 14, 2005, to July 2, 2005, followed by the third season from September 17, 2005, to May 13, 2006, and the fourth season from September 23, 2006, to May 5, 2007, all on Kids' WB (later transitioning to The CW's Saturday morning lineup).[13][14][15] The fifth and final season shifted to Cartoon Network, broadcasting from September 22, 2007, to March 8, 2008.[16] Internationally, the series debuted on various networks shortly after its U.S. launch, including a premiere on Jetix in the United Kingdom in 2005.[17] Warner Home Video released the first season on DVD on October 18, 2005, with subsequent seasons following in individual volumes through 2008.[18] A complete series DVD set was issued in 2014, and a remastered Blu-ray edition became available in 2022.[19] As of 2025, all episodes are available for streaming on Max.Episodes and specials
Season 1 (2004–05)
Season 1 of The Batman consists of 13 episodes that aired from September 11, 2004, to May 7, 2005, on Kids' WB. This season establishes the series' unique take on Batman's origin, portraying a younger, more inexperienced Dark Knight operating solo in Gotham City, with frequent flashbacks to Bruce Wayne's childhood trauma following his parents' murder and his global training to become Batman. The narrative arc focuses on Batman's initial encounters with iconic villains, highlighting his development of gadgets, detective skills, and moral code while facing threats like the Joker, Penguin, and emerging foes such as Clayface, all rendered in the show's distinctive anime-influenced art style featuring elongated proportions and dynamic action sequences.[20] The season introduces key antagonists through standalone stories that build Batman's rogues' gallery, emphasizing themes of vengeance, madness, and transformation, while avoiding deeper ensemble elements like the Bat-Family until later seasons. Production for the pilot episode, "The Bat in the Belfry," involved early development by creator Duane Capizzi to reimagine Batman for a new generation, with animation handled by Warner Bros. Animation and a focus on high-stakes action over psychological depth.[1]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "The Bat in the Belfry" | Seung Eun Kim | Duane Capizzi | September 11, 2004 | 101 |
| 2 | 2 | "Call of the Cobblepot" | Brandon Vietti | Steven Melching | September 18, 2004 | 103 |
| 3 | 3 | "Traction" | Sam Liu | Adam Beechen | September 25, 2004 | 102 |
| 4 | 4 | "The Cat and the Bat" | Sam Liu | Adam Beechen | October 2, 2004 | 106 |
| 5 | 5 | "The Man Who Would Be Bat" | Seung Eun Kim | Thomas Pugsley & Greg Klein | October 30, 2004 | 104 |
| 6 | 6 | "The Big Chill" | Brandon Vietti | Greg Weisman | November 6, 2004 | 105 |
| 7 | 7 | "The Big Heat" | Seung Eun Kim | Christopher Yost & J.D. Murray | November 13, 2004 | 107 |
| 8 | 8 | "Q&A" | Brandon Vietti | Steven Melching | November 20, 2004 | 108 |
| 9 | 9 | "The Big Dummy" | Sam Liu | Robert Goodman | November 27, 2004 | 109 |
| 10 | 10 | "Topsy Turvy" | Seung Eun Kim | Adam Beechen | February 5, 2005 | 110 |
| 11 | 11 | "Bird of Prey" | Brandon Vietti | Steven Melching | February 12, 2005 | 111 |
| 12 | 12 | "The Rubberface of Comedy" | Sam Liu | Greg Weisman | April 30, 2005 | 112 |
| 13 | 13 | "The Clayface of Tragedy" | Seung Eun Kim | Greg Weisman | May 7, 2005 | 113 |
Episode Summaries
"The Bat in the Belfry": In his first major outing as Batman, Bruce Wayne confronts the Joker, who has seized control of Arkham Asylum with mob boss Rupert Thorne's help and plans to unleash a deadly laughing gas on Gotham; interspersed flashbacks reveal Bruce's decision to don the cape and cowl after years of preparation.[22] "Call of the Cobblepot": The Penguin escapes prison and uses mind-controlling umbrellas on birds to rob Gotham's elite, seeking revenge on those who shunned him; Batman must navigate the skies to thwart the avian assault while uncovering the villain's personal vendetta. "Traction": Bane, enhanced by experimental Venom serum, targets Gotham's bridges and tunnels in a destructive rampage; Batman, outmatched in strength, relies on strategy and his new Batmobile to counter the brute's seismic attacks. "The Cat and the Bat": Catwoman targets a priceless Egyptian cat statue, leading to a high-society heist where she frames Batman; the two engage in a tense pursuit across Gotham's rooftops, testing Batman's resolve against her seductive cunning. "The Man Who Would Be Bat": Scientist Kirk Langstrom tests a serum to enhance human abilities but transforms into the monstrous Man-Bat, mimicking Batman's vigilante style and causing chaos; Batman tracks the creature to reverse the mutation before it becomes permanent. "The Big Chill": Mr. Freeze emerges from hiding to steal diamonds needed for a cryogenic device to save his terminally ill wife Nora; Batman infiltrates the icy lair, grappling with the villain's tragic motivations and extreme cold weaponry. "The Big Heat": Firefly, a pyromaniac saboteur, sets ablaze key Gotham landmarks for thrill; Batman endures burns and uses thermal gadgets to combat the flames and capture the arsonist before the city ignites. "Q&A": The Riddler kidnaps Gotham's top intellectuals, forcing them into lethal trivia games broadcast citywide; Batman deciphers the puzzles to rescue the victims and dismantle the ego-driven scheme. "The Big Dummy": The Ventriloquist and his puppet Scarface orchestrate a crime spree involving dummy decoys; Batman infiltrates the operation, confronting the dual personalities behind the mob-like puppetry. "Topsy Turvy": The Mad Hatter employs mind-control hats to manipulate Gotham's citizens into chaos; Batman resists the hypnotic influence and storms the hat factory to end the disorienting tyranny. "Bird of Prey": Ra's al Ghul sends his daughter Talia to test Batman's worthiness, leading to a clash involving the League of Assassins' eco-terror plot; flashbacks explore Bruce's moral boundaries against global threats. "The Rubberface of Comedy": The Joker acquires a device that grants rubber-like elasticity, using it for grotesque crimes and escapes; Batman pursues the clown through a funhouse of traps to neutralize the chaotic invention. "The Clayface of Tragedy": Actor Basil Karlo, mutated into the shape-shifting Clayface by a chemical accident, impersonates celebrities to steal fame and fortune; Batman uncovers the monster's sorrowful origin and seeks a way to contain the tragic figure.Season 2 (2005)
Season 2 of The Batman premiered on May 14, 2005, on Kids' WB, consisting of 13 episodes that aired weekly until September 10, 2005. This season expanded Batman's rogue gallery by introducing key villains such as the Riddler, Killer Croc, Man-Bat, Ragdoll, Spellbinder, and Solomon Grundy, shifting focus from origin stories to more dynamic confrontations that emphasized high-stakes action and a balanced infusion of humor. Animation refinements, including enhanced fluid motion in fight scenes and richer color palettes for Gotham's environments, contributed to a more polished visual style compared to Season 1. The narrative highlighted Batman's growing trust with the Gotham City Police Department, particularly through his alliance with Detective Ellen Yin, while maintaining solo heroics without major team introductions.[23] The season's episodes are listed in the following table, with credits drawn from production records. Tables are ordered by original air date.| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 1 | The Cat, the Bat and the Very Ugly | Brandon Vietti | Tom Pugsley & Greg Klein | May 14, 2005 | 201 |
| 15 | 2 | Riddled | Sam Liu | Christopher Yost & J.D. Murray | May 21, 2005 | 202 |
| 16 | 3 | Fire and Ice | Vinton Heuck | Steven L. Sears & John Hugh | May 28, 2005 | 203 |
| 17 | 4 | The Laughing Bat | Hyunjoo Song | Randy Jandt | June 4, 2005 | 204 |
| 18 | 5 | Swamped | Sam Liu | Christopher Yost | June 11, 2005 | 205 |
| 19 | 6 | Pets | Brandon Vietti | Michael Jelenic | June 18, 2005 | 206 |
| 20 | 7 | Meltdown | Vinton Heuck | Greg Weisman | June 25, 2005 | 207 |
| 21 | 8 | JTV | Sam Liu | Steven L. Sears | July 9, 2005 | 208 |
| 22 | 9 | Ragdolls to Riches | Seung Eun Kim | Adam Beechen | July 16, 2005 | 209 |
| 23 | 10 | The Butler Did It | Brandon Vietti | Michael Jelenic & Dawn Comer | August 20, 2005 | 210 |
| 24 | 11 | Grundy's Night | Vinton Heuck | Randy Jandt | August 27, 2005 | 211 |
| 25 | 12 | Strange Minds | Sam Liu | Greg Weisman | September 3, 2005 | 212 |
| 26 | 13 | Night and the City | Brandon Vietti | Jeffrey Reddick | September 10, 2005 | 213 |
Episode Summaries
The Cat, the Bat and the Very Ugly: Penguin allies with Catwoman to steal priceless gems from a Gotham museum, but double-crosses her by cuffing her to Batman with explosive restraints, forcing the duo to team up against Penguin's scheme while evading Detective Yin's suspicions. The episode highlights the tense dynamic between Batman and Catwoman amid high-action chases.[25] Riddled: The Riddler debuts, challenging Batman and Detective Yin with cryptic puzzles scattered across Gotham that threaten catastrophic destruction if unsolved; their secret partnership is tested as they race to unmask the enigmatic foe. This installment introduces Riddler's intellect as a formidable counter to Batman's detective skills.[26] Fire and Ice: Firefly and Mr. Freeze form an unlikely alliance to engulf Gotham in eternal winter by combining fire and ice technologies, forcing Batman to exploit their elemental opposition to thwart the dual threat. The episode showcases intense environmental battles and the villains' clashing egos.[27] The Laughing Bat: The Joker impersonates Batman using a disguise and laughing gas to terrorize the city and sow chaos, while the real Batman seeks an antidote after being poisoned; Robin makes a brief appearance to aid in the pursuit. Humor arises from the Joker's manic mimicry amid escalating pranks turned deadly.[28] Swamped: Killer Croc emerges from Gotham's sewers, plotting to flood the city with toxic sludge to claim its treasures; Batman dives into underwater combat to stop the reptilian marauder. The story emphasizes Croc's brute strength and Batman's resourcefulness in submerged environments.[29] Pets: Penguin deploys a sonic device to control Man-Bat, unleashing the creature on Gotham for his avian crime spree, while Alfred contends with a mischievous raccoon in the Batcave. This lighter entry balances villainous pet themes with comedic side elements.[30] Meltdown: Clayface seeks vengeance on the Joker for a botched experiment that altered his form, leading to a volatile showdown where Batman mediates the monsters' grudge; the episode explores themes of transformation and regret. Action peaks in a melting, shape-shifting brawl.[31] JTV: The Joker hijacks Gotham's TV airwaves to broadcast his crimes live, turning a skeptical detective into his unwilling co-host; Batman infiltrates the studio to end the mad media frenzy. Satirical humor targets sensationalism, with high-energy broadcast chases.[32] Ragdolls to Riches: Ragdoll, a flexible contortionist villain, clashes with Catwoman over a heist, drawing Batman into their acrobatic rivalry; the episode features gravity-defying fights and explores flexible foes.[33] The Butler Did It: Spellbinder hypnotizes Alfred to steal the ancient Eye of Sarkana artifact, compelling the loyal butler against his will; Batman uncovers the psychic manipulation in a personal, stealth-focused adventure. Emotional depth comes from Alfred's internal struggle.[34] Grundy's Night: On Halloween, Solomon Grundy resurrects in Slaughter Swamp to rampage through Gotham, overpowering Batman with undead might; the story draws on horror tropes for a spooky, brute-force confrontation.[35] Strange Minds: Hugo Strange and the Joker kidnap Detective Yin, prompting Batman to enter the Joker's psyche via a mind-link device to rescue her; surreal psychological battles reveal villainous depths.[36] Night and the City: In the season finale, the Joker, Penguin, and Riddler form a tenuous alliance in a contest to expose Batman's identity, leading to citywide anarchy; Batman outmaneuvers the trio in a multi-villain climax. The episode underscores the rogues' rivalries while affirming Batman's vigilance.[37]Season 3 (2005–06)
The third season of The Batman consists of 13 episodes that aired from September 17, 2005, to May 13, 2006, primarily on Kids' WB with a transition to Cartoon Network broadcasts beginning in early 2006. This season expands the narrative by introducing Barbara Gordon as Batgirl, voiced by Danielle Judovits, who debuts as a teenage vigilante and forms an alliance with Batman, emphasizing themes of partnership and trust in crime-fighting. The episodes feature new villains like Poison Ivy and Gearhead, while showcasing Batgirl's integration into Batman's world, marking the series' shift toward ensemble dynamics ahead of Robin's later addition.[1][6]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 1 | Batgirl Begins: Part 1 | Brandon Vietti | Michael Jelenic | September 17, 2005 | 301 |
| 28 | 2 | Batgirl Begins: Part 2 | Brandon Vietti | Michael Jelenic | September 24, 2005 | 302 |
| 29 | 3 | A Dark Knight to Remember | Brandon Vietti | Jeffrey Miles Blustein | October 1, 2005 | 303 |
| 30 | 4 | A Fistful of Felt | Sam Liu | Steve Cuden | October 8, 2005 | 304 |
| 31 | 5 | RPM | Brandon Vietti | Rob Hoegee | November 5, 2005 | 305 |
| 32 | 6 | Brawn | Sam Liu | Duane Capizzi | November 12, 2005 | 306 |
| 33 | 7 | The Laughing Cats | Brandon Vietti | Michael Jelenic | November 19, 2005 | 307 |
| 34 | 8 | Fleurs du Mal | Sam Liu | Jeffrey Miles Blustein | November 26, 2005 | 308 |
| 35 | 9 | Cash for Toys | Brandon Vietti | Steve Cuden | February 4, 2006 | 309 |
| 36 | 10 | The Apprentice | Sam Liu | Rob Hoegee | February 11, 2006 | 310 |
| 37 | 11 | Thunder | Brandon Vietti | Duane Capizzi | February 18, 2006 | 311 |
| 38 | 12 | The Icy Depths | Sam Liu | Michael Jelenic | May 6, 2006 | 312 |
| 39 | 13 | Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind | Brandon Vietti | Jeffrey Miles Blustein | May 13, 2006 | 313 |
Season 4 (2006–07)
The fourth season of The Batman aired from September 23, 2006, to May 5, 2007, comprising 13 episodes that center on the expansion of Batman's allies into a more formalized team. Following Batgirl's debut in the previous season, this season introduces Dick Grayson as Robin in the premiere, highlighting the development of sibling-like dynamics between Robin and Batgirl as they assist Batman against escalating threats from Gotham's organized crime elements, such as syndicates led by figures like the Penguin and Black Mask. The narrative arc underscores themes of trust, redemption, and collaboration, with episodes exploring both classic Batman lore and original villains, culminating in the setup for broader Justice League connections.[44][45]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 1 | A Matter of Family | Brandon Vietti | Michael Jelenic | September 23, 2006 | 401 |
| 41 | 2 | Team Penguin | Anthony Chun | Joseph Kuhr | September 30, 2006 | 402 |
| 42 | 3 | Clayfaces | Adam Youngberg | Steven Melching | October 7, 2006 | 403 |
| 43 | 4 | The Everywhere Man | Brandon Vietti | Greg Weisman | November 4, 2006 | 404 |
| 44 | 5 | The Breakout | Matt Youngberg | Alexx Van Dyne | November 11, 2006 | 405 |
| 45 | 6 | Strange New World | Anthony Chun | Joseph Kuhr | November 18, 2006 | 406 |
| 46 | 7 | Artifacts | Brandon Vietti | Greg Weisman | February 3, 2007 | 407 |
| 47 | 8 | Seconds | Matt Youngberg | Steven Melching | February 10, 2007 | 408 |
| 48 | 9 | Riddler's Revenge | Brandon Vietti | Stan Berkowitz | February 17, 2007 | 409 |
| 49 | 10 | Two of a Kind | Anthony Chun | Paul Dini | February 24, 2007 | 410 |
| 50 | 11 | Rumors | Matt Youngberg | Joseph Kuhr | March 3, 2007 | 411 |
| 51 | 12 | The Joining, Part One | Anthony Chun | Douglas Petrie, Jane Espenson | April 28, 2007 | 412 |
| 52 | 13 | The Joining, Part Two | Anthony Chun | Douglas Petrie, Jane Espenson | May 5, 2007 | 413 |
Season 5 (2007–08)
The fifth and final season of The Batman premiered on September 22, 2007, on Kids' WB and concluded on March 8, 2008, comprising 13 episodes that served as the series' wrap-up.[6] This season shifted focus toward expanded crossovers with other DC Universe heroes, building on the Justice League formation from prior seasons to deliver climactic arcs against interstellar threats and reimagined villains.[47] It featured a darker tone in episodes exploring psychological manipulation and apocalyptic stakes, while returning legacy antagonists like the Joker and Penguin in pivotal roles, culminating in a two-part finale that resolved ongoing team dynamics.[48] The season's production emphasized high-stakes action sequences and voice performances by guest stars, with episodes 12 and 13 sharing dual directing and writing credits due to their interconnected narrative as a series finale.[49] Notable for its blend of Batman lore with broader DC elements, it highlighted Batman's growth as a leader, contrasting the more isolated vigilante arcs of earlier seasons.[50]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 1 | The Batman/Superman Story: Part 1 | Vinton Heuck | Alan Burnett | September 22, 2007 | 501 |
| 54 | 2 | The Batman/Superman Story: Part 2 | Christopher Berkeley | Steven Cuden | September 29, 2007 | 502 |
| 55 | 3 | Vertigo | John Fang | Stan Berkowitz | October 6, 2007 | 503 |
| 56 | 4 | White Heat | Vinton Heuck | Joseph Kuhr | October 13, 2007 | 504 |
| 57 | 5 | A Mirror Darkly | Christopher Berkeley | Steven Melching | November 3, 2007 | 505 |
| 58 | 6 | Joker Express | John Fang | Brian Swenlin | November 10, 2007 | 506 |
| 59 | 7 | Ring Toss | Christopher Berkeley | Len Uhley | December 8, 2007 | 507 |
| 60 | 8 | The Metal Face of Comedy | Vinton Heuck | Alexx Van Dyne | December 15, 2007 | 508 |
| 61 | 9 | Attack of the Terrible Trio | John Fang | Stan Berkowitz | February 2, 2008 | 509 |
| 62 | 10 | The End of the Batman | Vinton Heuck | Robert Goodman | February 9, 2008 | 510 |
| 63 | 11 | What Goes Up... | Christopher Berkeley | Alexx Van Dyne | February 16, 2008 | 511 |
| 64 | 12 | Lost Heroes: Part 1 | John Fang, Vinton Heuck | Stan Berkowitz, Alexx Van Dyne | March 8, 2008 | 512 |
| 65 | 13 | Lost Heroes: Part 2 | John Fang, Vinton Heuck | Stan Berkowitz, Alexx Van Dyne | March 8, 2008 | 513 |
Lex Luthor orchestrates a massive breakout from Arkham Asylum, recruiting Gotham's villains—including Clayface, Poison Ivy, Bane, Mr. Freeze, and Black Mask—to steal Kryptonite from S.T.A.R. Labs, prompting Batman to summon Superman for aid in containing the chaos. The Batman/Superman Story: Part 2
As Luthor activates Metallo with the stolen Kryptonite to battle Superman, Batman infiltrates Luthor's operations to dismantle the villain alliance, leading to intense confrontations that test the heroes' partnership. Vertigo
Batman and Green Arrow pursue Count Vertigo, whose chemical weapon induces debilitating dizziness across Gotham, forcing the duo to navigate disorienting effects while uncovering Vertigo's ties to international arms dealers. White Heat
Firefly merges with Phosphorus and Blaze to form a fiery composite villain, terrorizing Gotham with uncontrolled infernos; Batman and the Martian Manhunter use shape-shifting tactics to combat the heat-based threat. A Mirror Darkly
Mirror Master and his accomplice Smoke use dimensional portals to commit impossible heists, drawing Batman into a mirrored labyrinth where illusions blur reality; the Flash joins to counter the speedster-like manipulations. Joker Express
The Joker hijacks a Gotham train and rigs it with laughing gas explosives, turning passengers into unwitting accomplices; Batman and Robin race to stop the derailment while evading the Clown Prince's traps. Ring Toss
The Penguin steals Green Lantern's power ring, allying with Sinestro to wield its energy for criminal domination; Batman confronts the duo in a battle of willpower and strategy. The Metal Face of Comedy
The Joker unleashes a nanite virus mimicking his personality, infecting technology across Gotham and causing chaotic malfunctions; Batman, Robin, and Batgirl delve into cyberspace to eradicate the digital clown. Attack of the Terrible Trio
The Montague family, transformed into animalistic hybrids via a serum, launches a revenge spree against Gotham's elite as the Terrible Trio; Batman tracks their primal rampage to prevent further mutations. The End of the Batman
A vigilante known as the Wrath emerges as Batman's dark mirror, partnering with Scorn to target corrupt officials with lethal judgments; amid cameos from Joker, Penguin, Killer Croc, and others, Batman grapples with moral parallels.[51] What Goes Up...
Shadow Thief and Black Mask exploit shadow manipulation technology to assassinate Gotham's mayor; Batman teams with Hawkman, using aerial maneuvers to expose the plot in a high-altitude showdown. Lost Heroes: Part 1
An alien entity called the Joining abducts Justice League members, brainwashing them with villains like Toyman, Hugo Strange, and Mirror Master; Batman, Robin, and Green Arrow mount a rescue amid the invasion's escalation. Lost Heroes: Part 2
With the Justice League compromised, Batman rallies Batgirl and remaining allies to thwart the Joining's plan to assimilate Earth's heroes; the finale resolves with a unified defense, affirming Batman's leadership legacy.
