Firefly: The Obsessed Pyromaniac | The New Batman Adventures

[@SerumLake]

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[@The_Phantasm]

I think when it comes down to it, one of the reasons why The Batman's Firefly seems to be more fondly remembered, is because he just has a more fun personality. His arrogant hot shot temper and the fun of Batman taking him down a peg just made it more fun and made people watching more excited to see him in future episodes.

[@zemox2534]

And the fact that he would transform into a more dangerous threat, Phosphorus, in the final season and almost destroyed Gotham. The Batman version of Firefly was arguably more sympathetic than the comic book version

[@SerumLake]

Oh yes, comic book (and TNBA) Firefly isn’t at all relatable to most people. He’s an awful person.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Here's to hoping we get a video or two on how certain post-DCAU works and even the DCAU tie-in comics did some things better than the otherwise "godly" DCAU itself. Case in point, Hugo Strange in The Batman Adventures and The Batman 2004.

[@UltraVioletKnight]

They had their cake and at it too with the episode "white heat" turning their firefly into a tragic figure.

[@MILDMONSTER1234]

Most people who talk about firefly talk about the 2004 one. Hell he’s the reason most people know him

[@alexlemonds2838]

I can see why they barely used him after. Focused on the wrong aspect, depicted him as an unhinged simp stalker rather than a pyromaniac who worships flames. Just nothing there that warrants many revisits.

[@tylerbertram7065]

Yeah, it's kinda why I prefer his incarnation in The Batman (2004) not only having better design but also making him cocky hot tempered mercury with a flame obsession.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Design's cool, but I think it's too flashy. At least the DCAU version has the right sense of pragmatism.

[@UltraVioletKnight]

Mad Hatter is a unhinged simp stalker done right. Firefly was boring. Maybe they should have fleshed out their relationship and it would have worked.

[@burnslee1164]

I think the reason why is that they didn't plan on him being firefly, more the inciting incident for the next Firefly (Cassidy) as the video suggested she would have been in a later episode that never happened.

[@KadeStringer2.0]

You know nothing

[@The_Phantasm]

Honestly, I would have liked to have seen more of Garfield's obsession with fire than with Cassidy. The fire motif seemed a bit secondary to Firefly in the episode.

[@jordanloux3883]

I can see why, since pyromania is ultimately a sexual fetish and there were clear lines that the censors would not allow on the air.

[@KadeStringer2.0]

@@jordanloux3883oh be quiet

[@brodiethomlinson9042]

@@jordanloux3883its not purely for sexual gratification, which we know now, but we only learnt that in the early 2000’s, so your probably right about that.

[@caramel9154]

@@jordanloux3883 tbf pyromania's more so a developed relief to tension, which while it can be a kink thing, ain't inherent to it's nature as a disorder. Maybe the writers could've flipped the romantic dynamics with this line of thought in mind, like perhaps some guy faces actually traumatizing abuse at the hands of a lover (ngl im sick of 'man got rejected'), so he turns to fire to not only replace all human intimacy but burn it away. Like vibe wise i'm thinking a sadder tf2 pyro.

[@sarafontanini7051]

it would've been neat if after the initial incident where he sees cassidy surrounded in flames he starts to go mad, the memory mixing in his mind as he mixes the image of cassidy surrounded in flames until he sees the flames AS cassidy, culminating in him becoming obsessed with burnign everything to create his 'goddess of flame' "Look at her batman! Isn't she beautful!? The more i burn the brigther she becomes! MY Cassidy!"

[@KingNerdius]

I prefer the insane pyromaniac version of Firefly from the comics. The animated version is a weird creep who’s broken because a woman didn’t reciprocate his interest. Comic Garfield is much more entertaining as a snarky mercenary with an obsession for burning down everything that gets in his way rather than retreading Mad Hatter’s steps.

[@plasticweapon]

agree.

[@JaelinBezel]

Sounds like that one merc from Black Lagoon who kinda looks and carries himself like Hank Hill, cheerfully smiling as he describes how he barbecued his own wife and children.

[@FischerFilmStudio]

I was introduced to Firefly thanks to The Batman. This version was more casual and had more confidence, but his appearance in Batman Arkham Origins is my all time favorite

[@932ForeverLove]

That was my first introduction to him too. Those were great episodes.

[@tashibalampkin8555]

"Angels...but they look like nudy women to me." For Firefly, they're one and the same. 😂

[@maxwellleebrennan]

In Hatter's case, he wasn't even directly rejected/ told no because he never asked. Alice had no idea how he really felt until after he went too far. She thought he was just being a good friend trying to cheer her up after a bad breakup. He just assumed. Like, Jervis, buddy, how do you expect Alice to become your girlfriend if you never ask her out directly? Communication is key, Tetch :P

[@TylerGoatMan]

I love how Fire fly is a slightly more down to earth version of pyro tf2.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

What about the TF Classic take?

[@foldabotZ]

Pyro has the Arkham Knight Firefly cosmetic for a reason. They even have similar delusions, though Lynns is aware it's indeed fire and not bubbles and rainbows like Pyro.

[@mellowyello1478]

I think the symmetry with Mr Freeze is interesting. Hes made out to be the polar opposite to Freeze in every single way; from motif to motivation. One with fire, the other with ice, one with genuine love and revenge, the other with obsession, possession, and anger at not getting his way. Very interesting.

[@jacktoma21]

After his accident I like to imagine Lynn’s has a very damaged gravely voice, like his vocal cords have been severally damaged. It helps add a greater level of menace to the character

[@moblinmajorgeneral]

Arkham Firefly sounds like a severe smoker for very similar reasons

[@jacktoma21]

@@moblinmajorgeneral yea I do really like Arkham firefly but would personally prefer him talking in a menacing whisper vs the boisterous yell

[@moonwhooper]

​@@moblinmajorgeneralarkham firefly should be the default

[@shapeswitch_mood7221]

Having Cassidy becoming the second Firefly to deal with trauma would have been interesting to explore.

[@mechajay3358]

Firefly does have a solid design that I like. And even though I enjoy his debut episode, I like comics interpretation a bit more since him being an arsonist make sense than being a psychotic stalker.

[@CapnAlces]

Despite not standing out narratively or anything, this episode stuck with me because of the ending. We don't often linger with the trauma Batman's villains leave on civilians, and Cassidy's full-blown PTSD freeze in the final shot is a perfectly haunting way to close the episode. And no, not every villain has to be more than the hired muscle, and I wish they'd used Firefly more in that regard. Some other villains, too. By the way, congratulations on the sponsorship! I'm glad to see someone paying you for your talents! Just don't sell your soul. Seriously. You read comics! I don't have to tell you the kooky shenanigans someone can cause with one of those things. No, best to keep your souls in a safe, or at least a lockbox. (for real, good on ya)

[@SerumLake]

Haha don’t worry I’m very selective about who I will work with. I’ve had some shady companies reach out about promoting dodgy looking products and I’ve responded with a polite “HELL NO!” The Manly Bands team are friendly people and I dig their Batman rings! I wish I could afford their replica One Ring from Lord of the Rings, but even with my discount code it is still out of my price range 😂

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Careful with getting a One Ring. We don't some Gollum-esque to bite off a finger.

[@CapnAlces]

​@@SerumLake Oh, dang, that IS a nice ring. It's gorgeous. It is... precious to me...

[@SerumLake]

Mary said if it was anyone, it’d be her 😱

[@sarafontanini7051]

to be fair the reason is 1) the planned idea of building on it to have her fall into the same madness as firefly and 2) to show the consequences of her own petty, bullshit behaviour, a punishment for being not a good person who relied on her status too much

[@user-yp6vy1oq5d]

Firefly in Batman Arkham Origins was by far the best adaptation. Costume, attitude, boss fight, music - everything was great.

[@saudalarfaj88]

I agree I really liked him in Arkham origins

[@mandalorianhunter1]

I honestly do like Gotham's take on Firefly where it was the abused sister who then became corrupted then wanted to burn the world down for those who oppressed her

[@manuelgrothe608]

3:09 Volcana and Firefly Make a pretty good duo

[@eway44]

Something that The Batman (my favorite Batman show) FINALLY has something fans prefer in that over the BTAS version

[@Quackervoltz]

Hmmmm I also kinda like Ethan a lil better than Matt.

[@Xehanort10]

That fireproof suit Batman wore looks like the one from Batman Beyond that Bruce uses to save Terry from Inque.

[@jocastadidntknew5980]

The scene with Firefly’s shrine to Cassidy feels so disturbing to me to this day. I think the music of the scene plays a huge part, but seeing his apartment makes you forget you’re watching Batman for a second and are instead watching a true crime drama or something like that.

[@Xehanort10]

6:56 Hatter was so obsessed with Alice that when DA Janet Van Dorn pointed out he could have left Alice alone in Trial Tetch said "I'd have killed her first."

[@scotttrammell3913]

Cassidy as a second Firefly, would've been cool. I do really like the Animated version of Firefly.

[@Isaac-gh5ku]

Yeah, too bad it had to be scrapped because WB was working on Batman Beyond.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Not that Batman Beyond was a big mistake, all things considered.

[@scotttrammell3913]

@@Isaac-gh5ku I know.

[@mechajay3358]

Yeah, wish they explore it more in the Batman Adventure Continues comic instead of having the 2nd Firefly be Deathstroke's sidekick.

[@scotttrammell3913]

@@mechajay3358 Yeah, I liked her, but she needn't have been Firefly.

[@barriehannon6857]

he's probably my favorite B-Tier batman Villain his concept is cool and i like his design, his boss battle on Arkham Origins was awesome

[@datbo7974]

For me I remember seeing firefly as a kid when playing Batman (2004) on the leapfrog. Something about him struck me and has always stuck in my mind. He’s one of my favorite underrated villains

[@tyrannozilla]

Batman's fire armor almost looks like a prototype of the Batman Beyond suit. Really cool (if un-intentional) hint of what was to come. Also, Firefly's costume kinda reminds me of The Rocketeer, and some of the other pulp fiction and film serials that inspired that character.

[@dedalionarts6077]

5:09 even tho I understand you comparison, imo, he fits better with the "color themed" (ex Crazy Quilt, Polkadot man) villains rather than "bug themed" ones. And as far as "character incarnetion" are concerned, the "2004 The Batman" version is the best take on Firefly I seen thas far. Bouth character and desighn wise.

[@TheLuxray8]

I THOUGHT FIREFLY WAS SICK AS SHIT AS A KID I FORGOT HE EXISTED

[@andydrew3834]

Ah yes Firefly. I haven’t watched much TBNA but I liked The Batman 2004’s take on Firefly and that’s how I found out about him

[@lol-fc9kg]

I wish they did more with phosphorus.

[@andydrew3834]

@@lol-fc9kg yeah, I hope they bring back Phosphorus in some way in any future Batman media

[@thebigdork8030]

"he's awkward and lumbering, a threat" Bro, friendly fire T_T

[@belmont_gr]

Maybe a bit off topic but I really enjoyed Firefly's adaption in the Arrow TV series where Firefly burned his former members of his firefighter squad alive because they left him in a fire to die.

[@PixelFusionProductions]

I'm happy to see this video getting so many views. Firefly is an interesting villain to me, but you are right that he really only needed one episode dedicated to him. I gotta say, that song Cassidy sings is terrible, no wonder she put up with him, his pyro is what made her a star. I had no idea about the history of the characters in the comics. Again Tim Bruce's direction with adapting comic material proved to be the best course of action. This Firefly is really the only one I know and is the version I like the best. Also, I thought that Fire Sword of his was pretty cool.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Ironically, Cassidy's VA is a good singer in her own right.

[@hattoripool1533]

God I loved that fire lightsaber this version of Firefly had

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Just how advanced is the DCAU Earth's tech if they're able to have such weaponry in the late 1990s? Dang, Vandal Savage's time travel nonsense on WW2 really did quite a number.

[@hattoripool1533]

@@michaelandreipalon359 did they ever explain where the sudden laser weaponry and tech that’s eventually used in Neo Gotham came from because I remember hearing a theory that all of that is actually reverse engineered tech from all the alien attacks from characters like say Braniac

[@michaelandreipalon359]

@@hattoripool1533 Most likely from Imperium, Thanagarian, and especially Apokoliptian tech. Gotta thank those evil aliens for invading Earth and sweetening it with such a gold mine of advancements.

[@rosegirl3220]

The Batman's firefly had the best costume out of all of them

[@The_Phantasm]

The DCAU's Firefly, while decent, is also not terribly compelling or memorable. Firefly as not only pyromaniac and serial arsonist, but a depraved stalker as well, doesn't come across as terribly original. His introductory episode, while in some ways frighteningly realistic, is forgettable and his character equally so. To be fair, it's not like there was too much to work with (though I guess the same could be said about Mr. Freeze before Heart of Ice) since the character's presence in the comics didn't exactly leave much of an impact. His reinvention in Knightfall was definitely an improvement over his original Golden Age design and origin, but I think you'd struggle to find anyone saying Firefly is their favourite Batman villain. The lack of personality was partly why Firefly's depiction in The Batman series really resonated with people. Jason Marsden’s voice for the character as an arrogant but fun hot shot along with his spectacular and unmistakable black and yellow design just made the character more fun. It made people watching excited for him to appear again which wasn't really the case for the DCAU Firefly.

[@metal87power]

He had a personality. He was a normal guy who used his engineering skills to earn a quick and easy buck. Also, he was childish.

[@nicholasfarrell5981]

I . . . actually liked Firefly when I saw him in TNBA as a kid. Maybe it was just the lightsaber, but I just thought he had a cool design. Then _The Batman_ kinda blew this version out of the water, and I still can't believe that DC never updated his comic design to be closer to that one.

[@caramel9154]

bro should work with scarecrow

[@GreenNinj4]

Allow me to introduce myself. Firefly is my favourite Batman villain, followed by the Ratcatcher and Killer Moth.

[@GrievousReborn]

The original Firefly outfit makes me think of Killer Moth

[@ajerjavec4723]

I think firefly is one of the villains who was done better in the Batman cartoon at first, he’s just a higher gun it’s not into his final episode, where he’s basically turned into Phosphorus and what happened was tragic beforehand. He got a girlfriend, and was sick of just being mistaken called bumblebee so after the accident he goes crazy and just wants to be remembered and at the end he can’t turn it off and his girlfriend leaves him that’s how you make him tragic

[@SellavinAtoms]

This episode is really dark because it's also grounded in reality, I recently watched an episode from one of my favorite anime series Case close/ detective Conan The episode is literally called the stalker. I'm not gonna tell you how it ends but it's not a happy ending.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Gotta love the "Mundanger" trope. If I have a favorite type of show and episode with such a morbid sense of realism, I'd pick Paranoia Agent's "Mellow Maromi", where a Japanese animation team suffer oh so much because of time constraints, too much stringent ambition and neutered passion on the higher-ups' and team's part, and a clumsy, monkey-like, and slowly unhinged co-worker named Saru (not that he's the only one who snaps in the story).

[@metal87power]

The Batman presented FF as a mischief crook who wanted to escape from poverty with his supportive girlfriend. Not so bad charactership

[@dustpanman2998]

And then he turned into a walking sun

[@THEFBIINSIDEYOURHOME]

One of my favorite villains gets a video…. This is amazing

[@krvgames9258]

The Outsiders Firefly walking into a room full of women in their underwear trying to find a way to escape has to be THE biggest Epic Fail in all of DC Comic Book history.

[@JaelinBezel]

Was Firefly trying to escape the room or were the women?

[@krvgames9258]

@@JaelinBezel He was trying to escape from The Outsidsrs and he walked in the room by accident.

[@tylerbertram7065]

I personally prefer the Firefly from The Batman (2004) manly because I like his suit.

[@dedalionarts6077]

Me too. The desighn and the fight scenes were fun to watch. Especially in the episode where he became a flame throwing metahuman.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Design's nice, but feels too flashy for me. The DCAU take is more comfortably pragmatic.

[@CapnAlces]

Flashy was definitely the entire design philosophy of The Batman. That particular style didn't quite click for me, personally. But it is refreshing to have a version of the characters that embraces the camp and stylization of the genre, whole heartedly.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

@@CapnAlces As always, every animated Batman iteration should always have a certain something that makes it extremely far off from the DCAU, yet also feel as consistently on par with it in return. Cases in point, The Batman 2004 is more energetically youthful and thus flashy, Batman: The Brave and the Bold is entertainingly campy yet also showcases an emotionally and physically stable veteran Dark Knight, and even The Wayne Family Adventures webcomics are down-to-earth yet loose enough to feel right with its character and world interconnections. Who knows what works like Caped Crusader will bring? Bets on having themes not unlike the Black & White comics.

[@CapnAlces]

@@michaelandreipalon359 Perfectly said. And I cannot wait to see what is in store for us in Caped Crusader.

[@alexandrefrauches132]

Despite his motivations in the show being more personal, I feel comic book Firefly (the one from 90's) still better than BTAS/TNBA version. The idea of him being a pyromaniac lashing out on the city because of his miserable childhood makes him a dark reflection of Batman, who also had a tragic childhood but chose a different path. There's even a story (that was written by Paul Dini) in which Firefly tried to burn Gotham citzen, claiming that the city is already doomed by corruption and the only solution is to buried it's people with the flames, unlike Batman, who always belives that he can make Gotham a better place.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Hmm, which comic?

[@alexandrefrauches132]

@@michaelandreipalon359 Streets of Gotham. Written by Paul Dini.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

@@alexandrefrauches132 Thanks!

[@MILDMONSTER1234]

Ya know firefly gets a bad rep for being the one Batman villain to not mirror him in any way but that’s actually a good point

[@Meme033094]

I love the firefly design from the batman

[@dragonmaster_707]

Fun Fact: Ventrix the Invisible Man from "See No Evil" is actually based on the comic book villain Floyd Ventris aka Mirror Man. The reason his suit turns invisible is because it reflects light when heated. I recommend you look him up. Could you do an analysis for him? Thank you, love your videos & have a good one.👍

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Hope said analysis also has a shout-out to The Invisible Man 2020. One will be surprised on how that movie seems to be a love letter for "See No Evil", especially in regards to who plays Ventrix's daughter.

[@SerumLake]

Way to spoil my upcoming video on him 😛

[@dragonmaster_707]

@@michaelandreipalon359 true that

[@dragonmaster_707]

@michaelandreipalon359 I see your point with the 2020 Invisible Man film. Now that I think about it, both "See No Evil" and the movie seem very similar to each other.

[@FirstLast-cg2nk]

If every villain represents an aspect of Batman's personality, then Firefly is Batman's obsession. Where Firefly is obsessed with a woman, Batman is obsessed with Gotham. No matter how many times Gotham fails him, disappoints him, betrays him, Batman will not stop trying to "save" a city that, in all honesty, can't be saved. There's a Joker side-comic where the Joker himself tells the story of a madman who believed that he could drive a car around the world, and every time he tried and the car broke down or ran out of gas, the madman would blame the car for failing him, rather than acknowledging that what he was trying to do was impossible, and the Joker admits that he always respected that. It is made clear in context that the Joker views Batman the same way. That's Batman: Batman believes that Gotham is a city that can be made into a better place, so he dedicates all of his efforts to make it so, even as the city fails over and over again, seeming to get worse instead of better. We've seen cities like Metropolis, huge cities that are shining beacons of utopian beauty, even if they have a rot and corruption that must be fought. But Gotham is different. Gotham is the city deeply rotten that no one can save. Gotham is the city that should be left to die so something better can be built on its ashes that only endures because Batman does not give up on it. Batman could abandon Gotham, find another city that can be saved and leave the rotting city to finally collapse as it was always meant to. He would suffer less and his actions would have greater impact and meaning. Instead, he shoulders the burden of the city on his shoulders like mighty Atlas, unwilling to shrug no matter how painful the burden becomes.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Hmm, what comic was that? If it were me, I would just "sunbomb" Gotham and make it a no man's land when I'm finished on it.

[@jorgnocke991]

Thank you very much for that, have a happy and blessed day

[@SerumLake]

You too!

[@TransPandaArt]

🎩We're becoming the meme of the anime girl holding up a beer going "[BLANK] mentioned!!!" with a city but with Annie, ahaha. But yes! Firefly, fun to learn it wasn't BTAS to reinvent this wheel. I daresay we agree that Killer Moth and Firefly have blended together in our minds at points, so the distinction is appreciated. We'd say he's a character more about the spectacle of fire than the actual, well, character himself. And like you expressed, sometimes a character just works like that. Simple and sweet.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Hmm, thought you were referring to Frieren.

[@thehonoredone2361]

Dis is gonna be one hot video. Love firefly.

[@SerumLake]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@felixflorb9051]

I've just found your video essay's and I'm deeply impressed! I really love how you break open each character, or episode you talk about to just pick apart all the little bits and pieces. Like a 4 course meal of interesting observations, summary, opinion, and analysis.

[@SerumLake]

Welcome aboard, and bon appetite!

[@deathseekr1537]

I think firefly could be a good member of the suicide squad or a team like it, along with characters like black manta, deadshot, killer Moth,bthese villains for hire could make a great anti hero group like the squad, just for money and not because they're forced to

[@CorbinLeonard-rp4et]

I really like the Batman fire fly suit cause it's cool

[@kobeedragonking3800]

Comic book firefly in the past is ridiculous, but the firefly today is amazing and twisted. Instead of light, he is a pyro maniac.

[@bujilou]

Always been interested in this character since they revamped his look during knightfall

[@Gatorade69]

7:40 Jeez, way to call me out. Just cause I'm awkward and lumbering doesn't mean I'm threatening 😢

[@KnightLineArtYT]

I liked this take on Firefly too. Not sure if it's my favorite one though. I found his 2004 series version also pretty fun. He's more in line with being a merc for hire, but they add more of the idea that he's also a thrill seeker and tends to talk a lot of trash and make jokes. I think that works since you can get that he would simply choose this life-style for the sake of the game itself. Though he does power-up into Phosphorus in that universe, which is a bit of a shame since his Firefly look in that show was one of his best.

[@CodesTheOtaku]

Minor note, but I legit thought the word “toyetic” was a made-up word from a Freakazoid episode involving the Freakmobile.

[@Elfenlied8675309]

It was created by the CEO of Mattel. He apparently used to say the word toyetic a lot and nobody knew what it meant until much later. Basically a toy that looks fun to play with.

[@nicholasfarrell5981]

Super-dude extraordinaire . . .

[@EliteEasyE]

I'd argue that the existence of BTAS also loosened up the censorship rules just as Batman 89 had done for BTAS. And a sense of trust and familiarity with the censors over the years judging by the Heart of Batman documentary. Bruce Timm also mentioned padding the episodes with things that they knew would get shot down so they'd get away with more on one of the commentary tracks on the blu ray set. (I think it's dated as 2004 at the end so likely brought over from one of the DVD releases.)

[@Chadius]

They were really good at planting censor decoys that they knew would be rejected so they could sneak in the real raunchy stuff.

[@EliteEasyE]

@@Chadius 💯

[@Chadius]

1:55 And to think I criticized the TNBA Firefly costume for being too simple... Nah it's a big improvement.

[@coneheadzigity]

Honestly I feel like Firefly and Volcana can be a great duo together.

[@megametexe5129]

I think Cassidy as the second firefly would’ve been an interesting idea. It’s a shame it never happened.

[@Victor-qx3vx]

7:21 I knew she looked familiar! Thanks for pointing that out.

[@unknownfrequency7024]

Fun fact: firefly was voiced by Hellboy himself, Ron Perlman

[@SerumLake]

Not in The New Batman Adventures!

[@zemox2534]

He was voiced by Mark Rolston who would voice Lex Luthor in YJ years later.

[@unknownfrequency7024]

Oh dang IMDB got me messed up then lol

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Regardless, Ron Perlman voiced quite A LOT of DC characters over the years, most notable being the DCAU Clayface and Teen Titans' Slade.

[@nicholasfarrell5981]

​@michaelandreipalon359 also Killer Croc from _The Batman_ (the Cajun version), Orion from JLU, "Heavyman" Koenig on _Static Shock_ . . . I'm pretty sure that I'm missing a few, but they're the other standouts.

[@takenname8053]

"Some men just want to watch the world burn."

[@zemox2534]

I wish Firefly appeared in BTAS. I would have loved to see how the team would have reinvented him. On the topic of obscure bat rogues, any change of you making a video essay about Maxie Zeus?

[@SerumLake]

He’s on the list 🫡

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Gotta love Maxie Zeus in his sole appearance in B: TAS. Don't understand why some people think "Fire From Olympus" is quite forgettable.

[@nicholasfarrell5981]

​@@michaelandreipalon359the version from _The Batman_ is the only one that ever clicked with me, probably because they reinvented him rather than sticking with the same failed attempt to make a legally-distinct King Tut that he'd always been up to that point.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

@@nicholasfarrell5981 Hmm, guess I need to rewatch the show and its implied sequel accompaniment Teen Titans sometime. To be frank, I DO NOT remember much of Batman 1966's King Tut. He's one of those villains that didn't pique my interest there.

[@nicholasfarrell5981]

@@michaelandreipalon359 that's . . . honestly a little sad, considering that Victor Buono (the actor who played him) loved the role so much that the writers kept bringing him back; he's the only villain outside of the Big 4 to appear in all 3 seasons of the show, and only didn't get promoted to the comics because Fox owned the rights to the character at the time (which is why Maxie Zeus was created, because DC wanted to make King Tut an official villain but weren't legally allowed to use the concept).

[@GenoX1987]

It feels like there is a lot more under the surface we never got to see about Firefly. Check out the 1979 movie Don't Go in the House to see a much darker take on a pyromaniac themed character.

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Sure Firefly was obsessed with Cassidy...but she was a real Firecracker 🔥❤!

[@dudemetslagroom8065]

I get whatcha mean with how not every villain has to be psychologically complex. But i think that is what is so interesting about him. How stagnant he actually is on a mental level. There is no room for change or improvement as his literal only solution for any problem simply involves more fire. He is a bottom of the barrel character in that he simply can't get any worse.

[@Riley-ub2tf]

8:44 “Listen lady, I only got eyes for one girl and she’s a cat.” -Bman, probs

[@GR-ic7mt]

Honestly I think I like the comic one before the animated series a little more then the BAS one like just a weird stalker isn't nearly as much fun or has as much room for stories as a pyromaniac who spent there entire life in captivity so know he just destroys the things he could never have I feel like that has way more places it could go

[@pennydreadfulthe13th]

Just subscribed! Huge fan of Batman the animated series and of Batman’s rogues gallery. Will you ever do an episode on Maxie Zeus? He had one episode in the series. I really enjoyed watching that insane and delusional villain and enjoyed his several of his comics stories as well. He’s one that doesn’t get mentioned often. They haven’t even made a figure of him which always made me feel like the BTAS figure rogues gallery is incomplete.

[@SerumLake]

He is on the list - fairly low on the list, granted, but on the list nonetheless 👍

[@iguanaboi3921]

I remember being in a discord server with a guy who thought Firefly was sympathetic and something of a role model

[@CalvinNoire]

Well isn't that a red flag

[@EliteEasyE]

Black Mask Full Space Society? Not sure what that is but I would have loved to see that in a DCAU cartoon. Tho with that Tiger Man, it might fit in more Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

[@SerumLake]

False Face Society 😂

[@EliteEasyE]

@@SerumLake I mean that works too... The Phantasm got me more excited than the space part haha

[@daviddaniels4020]

Now I'm wondering what a 'Full Space Society" would be up to. Would they launch thousands of evil satellites into orbit? Establish sinister bases on all planets? 🤔

[@SerumLake]

Sounds like they’re dedicated to filling up as much empty space as possible. A legion of hoarders, perhaps? I can almost hear Black Mask getting angry at someone trying to throw out decades old newspapers…

[@sharkdude7]

Firefly will always be one of my favorite villains. His design sand voice in TNBA was cool, even his short appearance in JL. But making his obsessed over his ex more than fire was disappointing. It made more sense to be in love with Volcana. Even his appearance in The Batman he had a somewhat better relationship. I still think the Arkham games has the most accurate representation of him. I would’ve loved to see what Brendan Fraser could’ve done with the character.

[@toonbat]

Taking a lighthearted character and making an 'edgier and more badass' version of them is the sort of mentality that pretty much guarantees I will hate the final product... but this is a rare exception. While still not a particularly deep character, the reinvention of Firefly is still a vast improvement.

[@ericgaskins571]

Great video, like always. Thanks man

[@SerumLake]

🫡

[@animetime6610]

I feel like firefly could have had a better life if he’d known who Cassidy was and had went to therapy to deal with his issues

[@GreenNinj4]

I think the „canon“ firefly story should use the best elements of all different versions. He had an abusive childhood and somewhere discovered an interest in fire, becoming a pyrotechnician. Then there would be the „incident“ (either accidental or intentional) for which he gets fired and start to burn down places associated to his former job as revenge, until his interest turns into an obsession (seeing the flame ladys) He‘d go on burning down the places from his childhood and work as an arson for hire, until Batman hunts him. In their confrontation he‘d have an accident where he suffers his extrem burns and turns totally crazy, coming out as the insane pyromaniac who just wants to see the world burn. It think he works best in a team with other villains or as a side villain and if you give him the iconic black and yellow design and not make him a simp like here, he is a great villain with lots of potential. Especially mirroring Batmans „obsession that destroys you“ trait.

[@babysinclairfan]

One thing worth noting is that the GI Joe character gave marvel the rights to "a villain named firefly" for a while.

[@shadowman_44]

Unlike The Pyro, we _can_ imagine what inhuman thoughts lie behind that mask... _inceldom_

[@curtisleblanc5897]

It's crazy how many times I thought "Just like Frollo" in this video.

[@SerumLake]

Disney’s best villain!

[@curtisleblanc5897]

@@SerumLake Debatable. I really like Bill Cipher, Oogie Boogie, and Frollo. But Jafar is a top tier disney villain as well.

[@Xehanort10]

Firefly would probably sing an obsessive "if she won't love me I'll kill her" song in front of a fireplace like Frollo.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

I think even Frollo has more of an awesome edge compared to OB and Bill though. Am somewhat more into mundane yet extremely dangerous foes when it comes to Disney storylines... a theoretical case in point, I'd rather have sequel saga to the Disney cartoons Gravity Falls, Amphibia, and The Owl House have its primary antagonist not be a bloody godlike Collector being and instead be an American (later, NATO/UN) commander (who may suddenly be successful enough to become POTUS and/or *Secretary General)* who LOVES fighting a justified, interdimensional expeditionary war by way of leading their own roughshod, and slowly but surely experienced, multi-organization that pays homage to XCOM, Third Echelon, First Encounter Assault Recon, the Global Defense Initiative, the Global Occult Coalition, Task Force 141, the National Space Defense Force (the Battlezone one), Grendel Squadron, and more... which will eventually lead to them, as mentioned, becoming extremely influential and ending up declaring a "liberating crusade" on their own Earth and WINNING against, say, the Ruskies, the ChiComs, the Iranians, the NoKors, and so on (though said victories may feel like overpowered hypocrisy, considering they might have hired the help of a Multiversal defense force who sympathizes with their ideals and motives... long story on that); this then follows a long, hard, and brutal overthrow against the guy, but even then, did that do any more good than what they did, no matter how exploitative and crass?

[@theworstspeedrunner]

Cant wait for the next video

[@SerumLake]

Cool, hope it isn’t a let down 🫡

[@theworstspeedrunner]

@@SerumLake none have been so far

[@AnonEcho98]

10:03, hold up that absolutely IS Mr. Freeze's gun, from the original BTAS. Also, my favorite Firefly design's the The Batman one.

[@Dfturcott]

Dude thought he could just drop a “toyetic” reference and we wouldn’t catch it. Wooooosh

[@SerumLake]

Sorry, I’m not following. Toyetic is just a word that’s in my vocabulary 🤷‍♂️

[@Dfturcott]

@@SerumLake I apologize, I thought you were making a freakazoid reference

[@SerumLake]

@@Dfturcottmaybe that’s where I heard the word! I remember Bruce Timm using it when talking about Superman’s various costumes in STAS being a request from the toy companies

[@Dfturcott]

@@SerumLake if you look up freakazoid and toyetic there’s the clip I thought you were referencing. Ether way, love this deep dive into Batman you’re doing. It’s great and I love watching them.

[@SerumLake]

It has been a looooooong time since I watched Freakazoid so I’ll have to look it up to remind myself 🫡

[@changvasejarik62]

I prefer the arsonist version of firefly, but I do think brave and the bold having the original light-belt take on firefly be connected to the rainbow batsuit was clever.

[@Alverant]

I like what they did with him in The Batman series by teaming him up with Mr.Freeze.

[@senoritatorres]

I remember firefly from The Batman (2004). It was an interesting adaptation of the character. I would like to know your opinions about the character adaptations in The Batman (2004)

[@mtaro8658]

I think the best thing this episode had to offer was the pinky and the brain joke from Barbara...😋

[@Gantros]

I believe that Batman’s fire suppression gun uses the same design model as the original BTAS freeze gun.

[@davidburnett5049]

Those rings seem pretty expensive for a circle, but then i have always been poor

[@mlgodzilla4206]

What’s with cool characters being pyromaniacs: Pyro, Dingodile, Firefly etc

[@dogguything3242]

I feel as if Garfield had given Cassidy everything only for her to take it and maybe even verbally abuse him only for him to figure out who she truly is and feel a burning hatred for her and want to get ride of her would be way more interesting and still dark

[@funkyweapon1981]

I like how there's also a G.I. Joe villain called Firefly.

[@daviddaniels4020]

"Torch Song' was the first episode of TNBA I saw, during my freshman year of college. And that ending--WOW. 😳 I do wonder, though: if Fox didn't want fire-themed villains, how did Pyro manage to show up on X-Men? 🤔

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Fox Kids was so full of bull, I'll say.

[@SerumLake]

Looking back on X-Men, I don’t think that Pyro actually set anything on fire, he could just control fire and turn it into different shapes.

[@tylerdamelondragon]

I watched this video in a hospital bed on my birthday, This and a small bowl of corn flakes was the only memorable thing that happened

[@odd9965]

honestly batman has my favorite depiction of firefly he's just such an asshole with extreme proficiency and some of the best fight scenes in the show also notably always has to defeat batman once before being defeated by batman in a episode because going into a fight with firefly unprepared is simply impossible in that show because he's simply to fast and has strict aerial superiority

[@Chadius]

Oh yeah, he was real thirsty for Volcana. As soon as she starts shooting fire from her hands, he was in love.

[@silentfox139]

Is the lack of eyebrows on him intentional as a pyrotechnic

[@Nicknam316]

Fun fact: This was the first episode of this show i watched in the hospital

[@nicholasfarrell5981]

5:26 - oh man, that's a topic _The Animaniacs_ used to have a field day with.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

The OG one, I presume?

[@nicholasfarrell5981]

@@michaelandreipalon359 yeah, I remember a lot of jokes about how the network censors wouldn't let them tell the actual joke.

[@thanotosomega]

These videos are starting to make the creepy way the DCAU approaches women feel more and more pervasive then i remembered,