Riddler's Reform - Bat-May

We're starting off our final year of covering Batman: The Animated Series with the return of a character who wasn't featured enough on this show, that being the John Glover voiced Riddler. Join us every day this month as we finish up the series and continue to honor the greatest Batman who ever lived.
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Riddler's Reform is an episode of the second season of Batman: The Animated Series. It features The Riddler in his third and last episode on the series.
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[@nickloschen2717]

Rest in Peace Kevin Conroy! The best Batman ever!

[@SurhamCheese]

I know 😢 may he rest in peace as well ❤❤

[@DiegoHernandez-xt2su]

RIP :(

[@asifkhan4822]

Yes he definitely put a spin on the dual personality of Bruce Wayne/Batman like nobody else before him had done.

[@L337M4573RK]

He was the perfect hero to Mark Hamill's Joker! Rest in Peace, Dark Knight.

[@srstriker6420]

Yeah he always will be

[@ShadowSonic2]

I loved John Glover just ROARING at the end. Even Joker was all "Oh God Eddie, SHUT UP!"

[@nehemiahpouncey3607]

Even riddler getting the p*ssy too.😂

[@WhiteFangofWar]

Finally one of them sounds like they belong in an insane asylum.

[@heatherlowry754]

I got introduced to John Glover through a short series called Brimstone, where he plays the devil. Absolutely wonderful person to talk to too when I met him at a convention

[@ShadowSonic2]

@@heatherlowry754 Wasn't he the Devil and an Angel in that show? Or am I getting it confused?

[@liarbility568]

Agreed, thar episode needed an "Ahhh, shut up!" From someone or even everyone

[@Nasser851000]

RIP Kevin Conroy, the best Batman there will ever be :(

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

Irony of this episode is the Riddler is probably one of Batman's foes who'd have the easiest time reforming thanks to his intellect and engineering skills, he could easily make a fortune in any number of fields and live a comfortable, carefree life that others like Joker, Croc and Freeze could only dream of. Yet his compulsion to leave riddles and prove his intellect always comes back to bite him in the ass.

[@worldofthought8352]

It is a bit strange though given his first outing had him got he wanted, he escaped batman and the man who he wanted revenge on was living in terror for the forseeable future. Yet he still came back. A victim of his own ego more than any other batman villain possibly, wanting to have another go in besting batman. At least Penguin tried to move on, and so did poison Ivy (leaving a clone in her place) But the riddler iss just consumed by his own obsession.

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

@@worldofthought8352 Well that's partially because of the episode after where Batman still knew who Riddler was and he wanted to erase all information on him so he could start over. Yet it was also that Batman had out smarted him and he wanted to beat him.

[@oliviastratton2169]

​@@worldofthought8352Yes, the Riddler is always his own worst enemy. Always self-sabotaging, a slave to his compulsions.

[@ThenewTchannel]

John Glover nailed his Riddler voice and mannerisms, and it's really a shame they couldn't find more ways to use him

[@wstine79]

John Glover is an icon in the DC world. The Riddler, the mad scientist in Batman & Robin, Lex Luthor's father in Smallville, and the businessman in Shazam were great

[@nehemiahpouncey3607]

Riddler was about to go into retirement early.😂 Well until the new batman adventures.

[@heatherlowry754]

Have you seen Brimstone?!

[@TheStormbringer8751]

Oh, Damn! Those were all him!?

[@chayden153]

Crickey I didn't realize he was in Shazam!

[@maldon3659]

​@Cheyenne Hayden he's Dr Sivana's father

[@nikobrien88]

I recently meet John Glover at a comic con. We talk for 10 minutes about the show, His character, and most of all the sad passing of Kevin Conroy. He was a sweet guy and loved to meet him. For this episode itself its a great final episode of 1 of Batman's greatest mastermind villain. I liked this episode a lot.

[@jinpei05]

This is a very simplistic episode, but it manages to distill the relationship between Batman and Riddler so perfectly. Nygma would easily surrender his reputation, his sanity, even his life, if it would mean he finally outsmarted Batman once and for all.

[@Kryptnyt]

Batman just needs to visit him in Arkham and play some board games with him or something, but maybe he thinks that'd just feed his obsession.

[@jp3813]

@@Kryptnyt I doubt that small games would suffice. It needs to be far more complex w/ huge consequences.

[@The_Phantasm]

It's really a shame that The Riddler didn't get many appearances because despite that, the Animated Series had one of the best interpretations of the character. However the best depiction of The Riddler outside the comics in my opinion the one from the Batman Arkham games. Wally Wingert who voiced the character in all 4 games always. It's honestly his voice I hear in my head when I read comics with Riddler.

[@emeraldend9231]

I prefered The Batman animated version of the Riddler voiced by Robert Englund.

[@The_Phantasm]

@@emeraldend9231 That is my third favourite after Wally Wingert and John Glover.

[@Treasterischi]

I truly loved Arkham games version! Dini really nailed the character in Asylum and City!

[@sarahsims6164]

​@@emeraldend9231 me too.

[@The_Phantasm]

@@Treasterischi He was also great in Origins and Knight.

[@ericalvarez8161]

4:52 The delivery of that line is outstanding!

[@motherplayer]

That little sad rolling of his line at the end really sells it as both tense and funny.

[@pmgmsd]

The Riddler can be one of my favorite villains when he's written well and has a genuinely clever scheme.

[@jp3813]

I was hoping that Nolan would tackle the challenge, but he went for Bane instead.

[@TheCommenterDragon]

This is one of my all time favorite Riddler episodes of BTAS! This show's version of the Riddler is totally underrated in my opinion.

[@GeneralKenobi75]

Agreed. This really is the best Riddler I've seen.

[@TheCommenterDragon]

​@@GeneralKenobi75 My two favorite versions of Riddler are the BTAS varierty and the one from The Batman 2005 series, Design and costume wise he looked totally badass!

[@striderzero2653]

I hate how they assassinated his character in the Batman Superman Adventures.

[@deshawnedwards6412]

YES! BAT-MAY 2023 BEGAN! Let's do this! For Kevin! ❤🦇

[@heatherlowry754]

Omg I forgot it was May 1. Yes!! RIP Kevin Conroy!

[@UrSammich]

R.I.P Kevin. This is all for you

[@ElJorro]

For Kevin!

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Hearing Ridler screaming " SOMEBODY TELL ME HOW HE DID IT?! I HAVE TO KNOW!!!" still has me in tears😂 30 years later!!!

[@ninjabunnywholivesinsideaw8216]

The way his voice goes several pitches higher when he screams the "I" in "I have to know!" never fails to make me laugh. 🤣

[@ashleytuchin7693]

John Glover is a treasure and it's a crying shame that we didn't get more of his Riddler. His final scene here, screaming out for the answer, is incredible.

[@jessedellross3245]

RIP Kevin. Loved this episode. And loved how riddler completely lost it and was unable to figure out how Batman survived

[@darthcinema4262]

I always look forward to Bat-May, and R.I.P Kevin Conroy 😢

[@jordanleland6402]

Let's do this Bat-May justice! For Kevin! For Gotham!

[@Chaosic]

Very good Riddler episode it sucks he doesnt get more episodes. Also I feel sorry for Riddler when Batman doesnt tell him how he escaped.

[@jlev1028]

With that being said, this was a great episode. It may be the weakest involving Riddler, but I love how his way of reentering society is through using his skills and brains for practical use, namely building puzzles and games for a toy company. I also love that he genuinely wants to retire the purple and green now that he's found success, but Batman has been a rent-free tenant in his mind for so long he can't help but perform one last scheme to end him.

[@kamenrangerzeo8251]

Kevin Conroy (RIP) will never be replaced as the dark knight in the line department.

[@Pewpewpew182]

We all miss Kevin so much! Thank you for doing Bat May. Can’t wait to watch them all together back to back :)

[@unclefranklin4575]

This is one of my favorite episodes. I was disappointed last year that it was just one episode away from being covered.

[@mikechicago6200]

John Glover gave Riddler class in his voice, so glad i met him at C2E2 this year and got a selfie with him...he even tushed my hair since it was orange like Riddler!

[@Robert3377]

This and the Arkham Knight Riddler are my favorite versions! Even though I would have loved more Riddler stories, I’d rather have a few great episodes then a ton with only a few good ones

[@eerieeric834]

Dear God, I hope that bat may will continue after this year

[@WhiteFangofWar]

Bat-May Beyond!

[@tesloche9349]

This show is the reason why Riddler is my favorite Batman Villain

[@comicbookreviewer4856]

the always thought the reason why riddler went with a new look may've been due to going insane about how batman got out of his trap and destroying his old costume might''ve driving him insane so shaved his head and came with a newer darker look to show he was taking things as a personal war

[@tesloche9349]

@@comicbookreviewer4856 Yeah, maybe he went bald by pulling his hair out, stressing over how Batman escaped

[@deadlockraven1849]

INCREDIBLY strong start, and a damn good episode to end the Riddler's story on before they butchered him in the redesign

[@magallanesagustin4952]

Rest in peace Kevin Conroy. This is one of the best Batman TAS episodes. John Glover is one of my favourite versions of the Riddler.

[@zacharycardon2353]

Bat Man revealing his simple escape was sweet irony, and a worthy coup de grace to Riddler's puzzle crazed cranium! Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

[@RialVestro]

The ending with Riddler in a cell raving like a lunatic actually reminded me of the last scene with Jim Carrey's Riddler in Batman Forever. For some reason I had forgotten that he was already the Riddler in this episode and had remembered this as being his origin story, possibly because other versions of the Riddler had been depicted as a toy developer before his turn to crime. And yeah... the redesigned Riddler was never as good both in design and the writing for the character as the original episodes that featured him. I think this one is my favorite.

[@srstriker6420]

Yeah and but at the Robert England version of the Riddler is much more improving design than the New adventures one

[@jonathanshaw9704]

Rest in Peace Kevin Conroy. May your badass voice of Vengance and Justice echo in Heaven for all time.

[@crimsonion3052]

bat-may begins again. i love this series.

[@lites73]

My favorite part is how Bruce explains how he did it

[@jinpei05]

Fun continuity bit: The Rubik's Cube-like structure from the second Riddler episode "What Is Reality?" was called a "Baxter's Box." Assuming the device, like the Cube, was named after its creator, the Baxter's Box was likely created by Wacko Toys CEO Charles Baxter

[@sebastiantrias1529]

Congratulation to get Bat May, i have watched every single episode since 2020, lets enjoy it one last years.

[@jaysgamingcorner8539]

Riddler is, imo, one of Batman's best adversaries and BTAS portrayed him wonderfully. There's no mocking, he's taken seriously as a threat and the voice work by Lionel Luthor(my Smallville fandom came out) is spectacular. Seeing this version of the character on the big screen would be a delight I think

[@bhgameman]

1:08 The way the rain cascades across the window looks amazing

[@thomasnethery6718]

Riddler- how did you get out Batman- because I’m Batman

[@dragonreaper9850]

Riddle me this: Where is the greatest Batman? In Heaven & Our Hearts Forever.

[@maxschreck4095]

I love this episode. The scene with Riddler screaming in Arkham is so chilling! I also can understand the choice to change the design. Their are just too many Batman villains wearing some kind of (formal) suit.

[@wstine79]

Starting off Bat-May with my favorite Batman villain, The Riddler, is excellent

[@marcusyates3044]

Can you do Batman: the Brave and the Bold when you finish TAS? And to continue Bat-May?

[@christopheredwards788]

It's back! And RIP Kevin Conroy

[@theanimeunderworld8338]

And so it begins

[@Jungoguy]

We miss you, Kevin.

[@wakeangel2001]

I actually think that the reveal of how Batman survived the explosion was perfect. The Riddler is a 4D chess master always thinking several moves ahead, and would expect Batman to be the same way, so when Batman escaped his perfectly planned death trap he was expecting some elaborate escape act or crazy bat gadget, but no, Batman just jumped in a steel box and hoped for the best. Such an improvised last ditch effort that largely relied on luck is the one thing Riddler wouldn't think of. It also means technically Riddler DID win, but Batman just got lucky, kind of like that time Killer Croc almost crushed his head with that rock.

[@hitmanmonaghan6633]

“Not like that, you’ll break it!” Not sure why that makes me laugh.

[@Nasser851000]

A lot of batman villains really want to be good guys XD

[@PatricksCrazyPlace]

I always loved this one. Of the three Riddler episodes, this one feels the most classic. In the other two, while they have their upsides, Riddler was more of a games master, trapping Batman and Robin in emulations of games and throwing a few Riddles in to keep true to the character. Here, Nygma is in rull Riddler form and Glover's voice is nothing short of fantastic. By the way, I didn't realize this until I watched the series all in a row on DVD, but they did a quite a few of "failed redemption episodes" for the villains: Birds of a Feather for Penguin, Sideshow for Croc, Harlequinade AND Harley's Holiday for Harley, House and Garden for Poison Ivy, Second Chance for Two Face, Double Talk for The Ventriloquist, Catwalk and both NA appearances for Catwoman, and this one for Riddler. Even His Silicon Soul is kind of a failed redemption plot for the HARDAC robots.

[@maxordman4100]

I loved watching this episode on video as a kid. There’s lots of funny moments in it, including the scene with the party girls. I think that it also adds an extra layer of tension when Robin gets injured during the Jewelry heist and then Batman is on his own throughout the rest of the episode. This will always be an amazing story. Thank you for doing this! Also my strong condolences go out to everyone who still misses Kevin Conroy!

[@aidanhever3369]

The Joker and Two-Face made a cameo appearance in this episode where the former was sitting on the floor covering his ears as if to say, "Geez, Nygma. Shut up ! We get it now !"

[@l3nsman]

The BTAS Version of the Riddler is my favorite version of the character. And this episode my favourite episode with the character. And that's mainly because of the ending. Has anybody else noticed that in the end, the Batman beats the Riddler in his own game? First, he tells him cryptically "where you hide the things you stole" and then uses his own devices to frame him, as if to tellhim "I am playing your own game". It's genius!

[@UltimateGamerCC]

Seeing the video in my feed: "yay! it's Bat-May!" hearing that it's the last year of Bat-May: "aww, just reminds me all the more how soon this gem was taken from us..."

[@mikechicago6200]

Love that Kevin Conroy miss him❤❤❤

[@fredricotraversiere8868]

Rest in peace Karen Convoy you will always be my favorite Batman🙏❤🦇

[@TheOnimbus]

And Bat May 2023 has begun! A great way to honor Conroy.

[@pumpkinking5397]

I can't believe this is the final Bat-May. Thank you Walter, for this incredible journey. This has always been my favorite cartoon series. Watching you cover it every May has been an absolute delight. Cheers to you sir. Thank you for your hard work. Here's to the next project.......🍻🍻🍻 R.I.P. Kevin Conroy. He is vengeance, he is the night, HE IS BATMAN!!!

[@seanpatrickcain2]

The Riddler: It's impossible, I tell you! Impossible! My trap was perfect! HOW DID HE DO IT? I have to know! Somebody tell me! It's not fair! There was no way, I tell you! No way he could have gotten out! Somebody tell me! Do you hear me? SOMEBODY TELL ME HOW HE DID IT! I have to know! I HAVE TO KNO-O-O-O-OW!

[@mx9226]

I just realized this will be the last Bat-May. At least one that focuses on Batman TAS.

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

Also great to have Bat-May back, nice highlight of May.

[@claytonrios1]

A lot of reforming episodes in this series aren't there? One for Penguin, one for Harley and one for Riddler.

[@shadejakva9367]

2:12 that sound. That is the sound of Riddler's question mark changing into an exclamation point XD

[@TheStubbzy]

Yay! Bat May is back! I really enjoyed the battle of wits in this episode. It's interesting; in If You're So Smart Why Aren't You Rich, Nygma becomes the Riddler because he wasn't getting the recognition, success, etc he felt he deserved for his genius. And now that he's gotten them in this episode, they're not enough anymore. He needs to out-smart Batman to truly be satisfied.

[@ninja1man4u]

Man what an episode to start with.

[@jinpei05]

Some interesting notes about the guest voices... Patricia Alice Albrecht (Brenda) was known primarily as the voice of Pizzazz, the leader of the Misfits, from Jem and the Holograms. Riddler's henchmen were portrayed by William Katt and Robert Pastorelli. Katt was known as the titular lead of The Greatest American Hero, while Pastorelli played Eldin Bernecky on Murphy Brown. Peter Mark Richman, who played Charles Baxter, had a lengthy career in Hollywood since the 1950s. He would, coincidentally, end up being Robin voice actor Loren Lester's father-in-law. Does that make him a nepo baby??? 😅

[@chayden153]

William Katt was also Tommy in the original Carrie staring Sissy Spacek

[@alexandrefrauches132]

Despite not being as good as Birds of Feather, I like that Riddler failure to reform, much like Poison Ivy, is result of his obsession rathe than lack of love and respect from others. As someone once said, this reform episodes aren't just about villains trying to be good and failing but also about their true goal, what the villains actually want in the end of the day? In the case of Riddle, based on his first apperance, it's easy to assume he would want fame and recogniztion as toy maker (his first crime was trying to kill the man who stole his work and fired him), but in these episode, right when he achives this goal, he loses because of his own obsession in wanting to outsmart Batman. In the end it was never about fame and money but rather about proving his superiority as genius to others. It really shows how Timm, Dini and other creators knew how to develop characters and motivations.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Yes! First day of bat-may and i'm all here For it! Love this show!❤❤🎉🎉

[@jinpei05]

This isn't Doug's series. It's Walter's 😅

[@Merit2397]

R.I.P Kevin Conroy! You will be missed. 🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇

[@Zacman1123]

What an episode to start off with.

[@BionicleGio22210]

We needed more riddler

[@yucatansuckaman5726]

Bat-may bros, WE ARE BACK!!!

[@WhiteFangofWar]

Welcome back! This one was very memorable for me as well in how Nygma is shoving his accepted public reform in Batman's face. In fact it was Penguin who later claims 'living well is the best revenge'. But Nygma is NOT like Penguin. He doesn't really *care* about being rich. He does it for the challenge, the chance to prove his superior intellect over everyone else, sort of like a mirror Sherlock Holmes. Nice continuity here- Charles Baxter is the inventor of the 'Baxter's Box' from the previous Riddler outing 'What Is Reality?'.

[@BlitzPlay]

Woo! It's my favorite time of the year! Been looking forward to Bat-May for, like...a year, at least. Thanks for bringing us all along on this journey, Walter. Now, let's go out with a bang!

[@wattsink2009]

I agree that The Riddler didn’t appear nearly enough in this series!

[@bee_1276]

Rip Kevin Conroy you'll always be Batman

[@ImperfectXIII]

I remember this episode very vividly because it was paired on VHS with "If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?" when I was a kid, and I replayed it over and over.

[@aaronrowell6943]

Rip Kevin Conroy, you are my Batman. This is my favorite show is a kid and when I was growing up I had two VHS, two face with shadow of the bat part 1 and 2, and the Riddler's DVD had his first appearance and this one. It is a shame that they never would use Glover again it's a shame because he might be the best voice actor that they had a size from Mark Hamill with his screams of I have to know!!!!!! Burned into my brain

[@Vanghool87]

Would have loved to have at least a fourth riddler episode. Maybe in the new series, we would have seen him try and figure out Batman’s identity.

[@theswapmeetflea]

"If you're so smart, why aren't you rich?"

[@apollolux]

Some of my favorite episodes of BTAS, including this one, involved the Riddler. Nygma apoplectic about Batman's miraculous escape and Bruce later telling Dick about jumping into the safe at the last minute are etched into my memories of this show. ^___^

[@louisberry4403]

RIP Kevin Conroy The True Dark Knight.

[@pepOnshow]

Honestly all 3 Riddler episodes are amazing I'm always watching BTAS on loop at nights and when this episode shows, man the ending when riddler screams still give me chills, so many good dark endings in this series, I remember I had to go on a school trip on Saturday when this episode aired so I left my VCR recording the whole Saturday morning cartoon lineup I watched this episode at night and man it scared me a little at the end creepy arkham vibe and Glover screaming voicing the riddler man it gave me chills. Awesome way to star Bat-May keep em coming.

[@brycebaileyakadarthomega1067]

Happy 1st day of Bat may And RIP to Kevin Conroy Now in the hall of bat fame Next to the great Adam West

[@KingRandor82]

One thing I actually really liked about this episode is the "soft" implication that he's mentally ill, when Batman says "he can't help himself". It reminds me of an episode of the '66 series where Frank Gorshin's was *also* implied to be mentally ill.

[@connorthompson8376]

Even if Bat May is officially done, I would love to see this formula applied to other parts of the DCAU.

[@gafrers]

Quality once again. Love Bat-May

[@mechajay3358]

The Riddler could've had it all, but his compulsive need to best Batman become his undoing.

[@louisduarte8763]

YES! Bat-May Returns! And what an episode to start on! Too bad they couldn't think of other Riddler stories for the show.

[@sonicstormer]

What would've been an interesting turn at this is if The Riddler's compulsion to challenge Batman led him to try to solve crimes before Batman. Of course he needs to be the villain, so it can turn out that he's the one orchestrating the crimes.

[@rkahaog2]

We need a re-edit of this episode when he asks batman how he survived he says "BECAUSE IM BATMAN"

[@davidmosca9557]

Without question, my favorite episode of the show since I was a kid.

[@trigunlover11]

From Riddler to be reformed? Yeah, I don't think so. That toy president was a fool as batman fooled him good in the end. So priceless! lol

[@johnpike7141]

A solid analysis of one of my personal favorites from the latter half of this show’s run. Although I should also mention that posting this review has led to one of the most hysterical coincidences in the history of KZbin. UrinatingTree posted his “Congrats, Bruins!” about eleven hours before this video was posted, and during the last fifteen seconds of “Congrats, Bruins!”, he’s literally quoting the Riddler’s insane ranting and raving at the end of this episode almost verbatim, with the little changes that are there being made to fit the context of the Bruins historically epic first round collapse…… 😂☠️😂☠️

[@TheLadySilverMoon]

There has been some comic book were the Riddler was not only reformed, but became a private consultant/detective and even helped out Batman a few times.

[@brucepatrick2655]

First one down!!! Here’s to Bat May 2023!

[@Ytcinema18]

Glad to see Bat May back, it’s what Kevin Conroy would have wanted!

[@alexandercarter9598]

Can I just say, before we move on to something else, we need a Batmay for the first season of The Batman. If it goes no further that's fine, but that show is really underrated for how good it is. Also, we need Kevin Michael Richardson to do the Creeper at least once.

[@rewster7]

I've always wanted a live-action movie to star a Riddler like this version and I'm still waiting.

[@williamwallaceoftheus8033]

Love this series. Though season 4 was more miss than hit in my opinion