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Batman - The Complete Second Season, The
Warner Bros. // Unrated // September 12, 2006
List Price: $19.98 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
Premiering in the fall of 2004 on the Kids WB!, "The Batman" was Warner Brothers' attempt to get a jumpstart on the franchise reboot scheduled for the following summer with "Batman Begins." This new cartoon series, produced by a whole new team separate from those responsible for the nearly-flawless "Batman: The Animated Series" and its various sequels and spin-offs, focused on the Caped Crusader's early years, before Robin, before Batgirl, even before Commissioner Gordon. Further separating this new series from other Batman cartoons was its heavy anime influence as well as a focus on younger audiences that increased attention on action sequences and fantasy elements.
I discussed the ups and downs of the first season in a previous review, and now it's time to focus on season two, which was first broadcast from May through September 2005. While several of the episodes - especially those later in the season - are a marked improvement over season one, too many others repeat the same old flaws: too much uninspired action, not enough solid storytelling, and far too much reliance on familiar (read: overused) bad guys.
With this season, the producers opted to play mix-and-match with baddies: Catwoman and Ragdoll, Catwoman and Penguin, Penguin and Man-Bat, Penguin and Joker, Penguin and Joker and Riddler, Mr. Freeze and Firefly. That last one was especially bland, as these were the two least interesting villains of the first season. The Catwoman episodes work much better; while the combos are iffy at best, the series' take on the Selina Kyle character is as refreshing as has ever been in the decades of Batman tales. She's one of the few multifaceted characters in this uncomplicated series, working somewhere between heroine and villainess, assisted by clever writing and a commendable vocal performance from Gina Gershon.
Other episodes manage to shake the series' problems and find a sturdy balance between fast-paced action and inventive plotting. The introductory adventure with the Riddler (here designed as some sort of Marilyn Manson wannabe) makes for a rollicking quest; an episode that takes Batman literally into the mind of the Joker allows for a fresh take on some overly well-worn cartoon material; a sinister Halloween tale about "swamp zombie" Solomon Grundy's mythic return makes for ripping holiday viewing. These episodes all show the grand potential of this series.
But even the finest episodes cannot escape the show's deep-rooted problems. Consider the season's best episode, "Meltdown," which provides a return for Clay Face, last seen in season one's finale. There's a lot that happens in this episode character-wise, all of it both thrilling and quite emotionally touching - yet it's all too rushed. The previous "Batman" TV series would have devoted a two-parter to this story, in order to get in all the nuances of the characters. But in this show, we zip through so many changes at lightning pace - better to get to the action than explain major changes and important passages of time - that we can't help but wonder how much we're losing in the trade.
Also frustrating is the series' handling of its larger story arcs. In order to make the show more friendly to the notion of reruns, the producers avoid any serious episode-to-episode continuity. Instead, we see ideas that slowly grow - Detective Bennett's evolution as a character in season one (and slightly in season two), Detective Yin's secret partnership with Batman in season two - in tiny chunks over the course of a dozen or so episodes. The good news is that these seemingly unimportant arcs do get a payoff in the season finales; the bad news is that those finales are so sharply written that one wishes more long-vision care was put into the rest of the episodes. (The season two finale lacks the heft of the season one ender, but there's enough here to make for top notch viewing - especially once a certain mustachioed cop makes his debut.)
In its favor, the series does showcase some incredible animation; "The Batman" remains a genuine treat for the eyes. Also, in keeping with animated Dark Knight tradition, the voice talent is a knockout, especially those terrific guest stars, which in this batch include Ron Perlman, Robert Englund, Mitch Pileggi, and Frank Gorshin (!) as the diabolical psychologist Hugo Strange. (Not to be outdone, season two also hears more from Adam West himself, who returns as the mayor of Gotham.) And the lightning pace of each episode does bring a welcome dose of action to a franchise known more for brooding than for kicking and punching, and for what the show means to do, that's a good thing.
The DVD
Warner Bros. collects all thirteen episodes in "The Batman: The Complete Second Season." The episodes are presented on two discs housed in a single-wide keep case, matching the first season collection.
The series' second season was the only run where episodes were broadcast out of their production order; for this DVD set, the episodes are presented by production order and not original broadcast order. Purists may grumble (and others may cheer - depends on your obsessions, I suppose), although it should be noted that "The Batman" never relied on much continuity and therefore such episode shuffling does no harm to the viewing experience.
The episodes featured in this set are:
Disc One: "The Cat, the Bat and the Ugly," "Riddled," "JTV," "Swamped," "Pets," "Meltdown," "The Butler Did It," and "Fire and Ice."
Disc Two: "Ragdolls to Riches," "Strange Minds," "Solomon Grundy," "The Laughing Bat," and "Night and the City."
Video
As with the first season set, the video presentation here is sparkling, with the gorgeous animation getting the quality treatment. Episodes are presented in their original 1.33:1 broadcast format.
Audio
Once again, while the absence of a surround track might disappoint some fans, the series' original stereo soundtrack (given the Dolby treatment) is plenty fine. The supplemental French and Spanish soundtracks, both also in Dolby stereo, sound fine as well. Optional subtitles are available in English, French, and Spanish.
Extras
Here's a major disappointment: the only actual extra is a quick piece called "Catching Up With… The Batman," a three-and-a-half minute montage of clips from the first and second seasons. The idea, I suppose, is to bring viewers up to speed - but why then spoil them on the second season, and why put it on the second disc, if it's meant to "catch them up" on the story so far?
Also included is a wide assortment of previews and commercials for other Warner Animation titles. The combo trailer for Superman titles (as seen on other Warner/DC releases lately) also plays automatically when you start up the second (but not the first?) disc.
Because the menus have been poorly designed, Disc One invites you to click on "Special Features," only to take you to a page that tells you - you guessed it - all the special features are on Disc Two. Weak.
Final Thoughts
"The Batman" still nowhere near the quality of the 1990s Batman cartoons, but it's constantly getting better with time. The extras may be non-existent and a few episodes may be lackluster, but overall, the second season contains some high level Gotham City fun. Recommended to all fans of the Caped Crusader.
I discussed the ups and downs of the first season in a previous review, and now it's time to focus on season two, which was first broadcast from May through September 2005. While several of the episodes - especially those later in the season - are a marked improvement over season one, too many others repeat the same old flaws: too much uninspired action, not enough solid storytelling, and far too much reliance on familiar (read: overused) bad guys.
With this season, the producers opted to play mix-and-match with baddies: Catwoman and Ragdoll, Catwoman and Penguin, Penguin and Man-Bat, Penguin and Joker, Penguin and Joker and Riddler, Mr. Freeze and Firefly. That last one was especially bland, as these were the two least interesting villains of the first season. The Catwoman episodes work much better; while the combos are iffy at best, the series' take on the Selina Kyle character is as refreshing as has ever been in the decades of Batman tales. She's one of the few multifaceted characters in this uncomplicated series, working somewhere between heroine and villainess, assisted by clever writing and a commendable vocal performance from Gina Gershon.
Other episodes manage to shake the series' problems and find a sturdy balance between fast-paced action and inventive plotting. The introductory adventure with the Riddler (here designed as some sort of Marilyn Manson wannabe) makes for a rollicking quest; an episode that takes Batman literally into the mind of the Joker allows for a fresh take on some overly well-worn cartoon material; a sinister Halloween tale about "swamp zombie" Solomon Grundy's mythic return makes for ripping holiday viewing. These episodes all show the grand potential of this series.
But even the finest episodes cannot escape the show's deep-rooted problems. Consider the season's best episode, "Meltdown," which provides a return for Clay Face, last seen in season one's finale. There's a lot that happens in this episode character-wise, all of it both thrilling and quite emotionally touching - yet it's all too rushed. The previous "Batman" TV series would have devoted a two-parter to this story, in order to get in all the nuances of the characters. But in this show, we zip through so many changes at lightning pace - better to get to the action than explain major changes and important passages of time - that we can't help but wonder how much we're losing in the trade.
Also frustrating is the series' handling of its larger story arcs. In order to make the show more friendly to the notion of reruns, the producers avoid any serious episode-to-episode continuity. Instead, we see ideas that slowly grow - Detective Bennett's evolution as a character in season one (and slightly in season two), Detective Yin's secret partnership with Batman in season two - in tiny chunks over the course of a dozen or so episodes. The good news is that these seemingly unimportant arcs do get a payoff in the season finales; the bad news is that those finales are so sharply written that one wishes more long-vision care was put into the rest of the episodes. (The season two finale lacks the heft of the season one ender, but there's enough here to make for top notch viewing - especially once a certain mustachioed cop makes his debut.)
In its favor, the series does showcase some incredible animation; "The Batman" remains a genuine treat for the eyes. Also, in keeping with animated Dark Knight tradition, the voice talent is a knockout, especially those terrific guest stars, which in this batch include Ron Perlman, Robert Englund, Mitch Pileggi, and Frank Gorshin (!) as the diabolical psychologist Hugo Strange. (Not to be outdone, season two also hears more from Adam West himself, who returns as the mayor of Gotham.) And the lightning pace of each episode does bring a welcome dose of action to a franchise known more for brooding than for kicking and punching, and for what the show means to do, that's a good thing.
The DVD
Warner Bros. collects all thirteen episodes in "The Batman: The Complete Second Season." The episodes are presented on two discs housed in a single-wide keep case, matching the first season collection.
The series' second season was the only run where episodes were broadcast out of their production order; for this DVD set, the episodes are presented by production order and not original broadcast order. Purists may grumble (and others may cheer - depends on your obsessions, I suppose), although it should be noted that "The Batman" never relied on much continuity and therefore such episode shuffling does no harm to the viewing experience.
The episodes featured in this set are:
Disc One: "The Cat, the Bat and the Ugly," "Riddled," "JTV," "Swamped," "Pets," "Meltdown," "The Butler Did It," and "Fire and Ice."
Disc Two: "Ragdolls to Riches," "Strange Minds," "Solomon Grundy," "The Laughing Bat," and "Night and the City."
Video
As with the first season set, the video presentation here is sparkling, with the gorgeous animation getting the quality treatment. Episodes are presented in their original 1.33:1 broadcast format.
Audio
Once again, while the absence of a surround track might disappoint some fans, the series' original stereo soundtrack (given the Dolby treatment) is plenty fine. The supplemental French and Spanish soundtracks, both also in Dolby stereo, sound fine as well. Optional subtitles are available in English, French, and Spanish.
Extras
Here's a major disappointment: the only actual extra is a quick piece called "Catching Up With… The Batman," a three-and-a-half minute montage of clips from the first and second seasons. The idea, I suppose, is to bring viewers up to speed - but why then spoil them on the second season, and why put it on the second disc, if it's meant to "catch them up" on the story so far?
Also included is a wide assortment of previews and commercials for other Warner Animation titles. The combo trailer for Superman titles (as seen on other Warner/DC releases lately) also plays automatically when you start up the second (but not the first?) disc.
Because the menus have been poorly designed, Disc One invites you to click on "Special Features," only to take you to a page that tells you - you guessed it - all the special features are on Disc Two. Weak.
Final Thoughts
"The Batman" still nowhere near the quality of the 1990s Batman cartoons, but it's constantly getting better with time. The extras may be non-existent and a few episodes may be lackluster, but overall, the second season contains some high level Gotham City fun. Recommended to all fans of the Caped Crusader.
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