The Top 5 Episodes: The New Batman Adventures

Because nobody demanded it, here's my pick for the five best episodes of The New Batman Adventures.
#batman #tnba #batmantheanimatedseries
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:34 Number 5
2:24 Number 4
3:45 Number 3
5:29 Number 2
6:53 Number 1
9:11 Outro

[@crakatoot5480]

Never Fear is one of my favorites. Batman looses all his fear and it shows how dangerous Batman can be when he’s not afraid to kill. It also shows how important Robin is.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Would love for the ep's corrupted Batman concept to be the set-up for the Arkhamverse Batman's implied unhingedness post-Arkham Knight.

[@alexandrefrauches132]

Besides "Old Wound's (which is my favorite episode), one episode I enjoy is Mean Seasons in which Batman has to deal with Calendar Girl, a ex-model/actress who became a villain after people reject her due to her age, allowing the episode to touch in topics that aren't discuss that much, like the prejuice against people due to their age (something very present in show business, with women and actress being one the recurrent victims). Plus the episode has very nice arc for Bruce, with him actually learning a lesson from Calendar Girl origin and preventing one of his company workers from being forced to retire,

[@SerumLake]

Yes, that’s a good episode. Another good example of Batman’s compassion and decency peeking through his stoney veneer!

[@Chadius]

In the US, "Sins of the Father" was the first broadcast episode, which introduces Tim Drake becoming the new Robin with Dick Greyson making a cameo at the end. A much better transition from Adventures of Batman and Robin to TNBA than Holiday Knights. Holiday Knights was played much later (in December, IIRC) which made way more sense as an anthology episode.

[@SerumLake]

That makes much more sense to me. If only they did the same with the DVD/Blu-ray release.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Not helping is that Clayface's return in "Growing Pains" sure got a bit spoiled because of this early Christmas special. Am increasingly of the opinion that "Holiday Knights" should have been the series finale, with "Mad Love" releasing before it in a meaningful "comics to animation" pattern.

[@empatheticrambo4890]

Mad Love episode is such a gut wrenching but true to life story about the cycle of abuse

[@zemox2534]

It was hard to watch.

[@conradaster3764]

It episodes like that where I think "this was a kids show"😅😂

[@biguy617]

I love the episode where Batman gets dosed with Scarecrow’s no fear gas. The gas makes it that Batman is almost willing to kill and Tim Drake is forced to tie Batman up. I love the episode where Superman is forced to dress up as Batman to save Bruce from Brainac.

[@dariusthurman8835]

I agree TNBA is much darker from the animation to Batmans speech and mannerisms. I prefer BTAS with its warm color and perfecr mix of campy and gritty.

[@SerumLake]

It’s funny, whenever I think of TNBA I am always quite dismissive of it, thinking that there aren’t any good episodes. Except for Growing Pains… and Mad Love… and Holiday Knights… and Legends of the Dark Knight… and Over The Edge… and Chemistry… and - Basically, it is really good, I just keep forgetting how good it was for some reason. BTAS will always be my favourite though.

[@dariusthurman8835]

@@SerumLake I like dark and gritty Batman stories. I heard TNBA was made to create universe continuity with the Superman show but I feel Dini wanted to show the darker side of crime fighting and further contrast Batman from Superman. In TNBA Bruce doesnt change his voice and feels like a cardboard persona rather than BTAS Bruce who while still a persona felt human. Ps great video, Im a new fan and like your content.🧐🙂

[@saxyrep1]

Cool video! Props!

[@zemox2534]

I never understood why fans view TAS and new adventures as separate shows. The same team produced it, and most of the voice cast returned. Just because it has a new art style doesn't mean it is a different show. It is the same show. It just looks different, but that doesn't mean it is bad. And I am a huge fan of Tim Drakeversion of Robin and I hate the way dc comics are treating him right now. I know the version in TAS is based more on Jason Todd (he pretty much is Jason except in name), but I still liked what the creators did with the new Robin. I will agree that holiday knights should have been the final episode of TAS, as it has a nice sense of finality to the show.

[@SerumLake]

The reason I view it as being a separate show is because some of the key people left (Eric Radomski, Kevin Altieri and Ted Blackman) and many new writers came on board (Stan Berkowitz, Hilary Bader, Bob Goodman). That’s why TNBA feels tonally different to BTAS. Additionally some episodes were almost entirely farmed out to Japanese studios - it’s why some episodes like Growing Pains and Never Fear took way more anime-like than some of the other episodes. Having said that, I feel similarly to you in that it’s not a bad thing.

[@MultipleMike-tl2ty]

SerumLake, I disagree with your take that they are different. Dini, Timm and a lot of the other writers stayed on TNBA so for me the tone of the show did not shift that much for me to consider it a different show. It explores a different period in Batman’s career, this was the time when he expanded his bat family and started using junior partners. He also became more seasoned in the role of Batman but much of what was BTAS remained in TNBA. Also, the subsequent show still focuses on Bruce Wayne’s story so it isn’t that different from the original. I always see TNBA as the later seasons of BTAS which eventually went further into Batman’s life by aging him up for BB. But by BB it was a different show set in continuity because by then the story wasn’t about Bruce anymore. He was a supporting character in Terry’s story so it was different.

[@Compucles]

@@SerumLake So does that mean "The Simpsons" becomes a different show every so many years?

[@SerumLake]

​@@Compucles of course not. If they changed the name of show, only kept a small number of people that worked on the last version, and redesigned all of the characters then I would consider it a different show. Connected, yes, but not the same show.

[@Compucles]

@@SerumLake Well, the second part is also true every so often for "The Simpsons," The third part is only a minor detail that doesn't matter much in animated series, such as with "American Dragon Jake Long." Changing the title doesn't matter at all as long as the new title is still clearly connected to the original title as it is between BTAS and TNBA, or like with "Tangled: the Series" and "Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure."

[@empatheticrambo4890]

The episode reviewing the ages and eras of Batman is really fun

[@batmanlaserieanimada.]

Love TNBA episodes!

[@Autistic_Changeling]

Although I don't like some of the redesigns, I overall prefer the new art style. It allowed for better action scenes, simple as that.

[@conradaster3764]

Never thought of it like that good point

[@braxtonwages195]

Great picks. I agree that Growing Pains was an incredible episode. All your picks are my favorites as well.

[@SerumLake]

A man of good taste, I see! :)

[@ProfessorAragorn]

Nice touch on Growing Pains. I agree with the bulk of the list - I find Over the Edge awesome but a tad overplayed. I think Jokers Millions, Old Wounds, Chemistry, and Beware the Creeper would be my number one pick.

[@chrisblanc663]

That’s a good list. Not sure I would have had that first episode mentioned. But it was a goodie.

[@agarksesydy3768]

That's a good list But a personal favorite of mine, that I would replace for "Legends of the Dark Knight", is "Mean Seasons" I love the message of the episode and the topics touched, Calendar Girl (that I like to call The Mannequin, because she's clearly was inspired by this comic villain) is a rogue I really really like, the ending of the episode ans the twist still hits me a lot Maybe you can do a video about her ? That would be nice!

[@SerumLake]

She is on the list!

[@agarksesydy3768]

@@SerumLake Ohh cool! Can't wait Since I found your channel I've been marathoning it! Loving your content a lot

[@SerumLake]

@@agarksesydy3768 Thank you, glad you're enjoying it!

[@JBBGeek]

I find it hard to watch Growing Pains to this day because of how it ends. It was like being woken up by a cup of ice-cold water to the face from a good dream. Absolutely brutal.

[@HobGungan]

Outside of the art style change, I didn't actually dislike the show, but weirdly the only episode I can remember looking back on with any true fondness was Critters which...I feel like I'm kind of alone in liking period, never mind being at or near the top of my list. EDIT: I feel called out...

[@SerumLake]

Haha Critters has its fans, don’t worry! It’s funny, my first reaction is to think of it as a lesser show, but as soon as I engage my brain and remember the episodes I realise that it was generally excellent. I think it’s because I don’t like most of the redesigns and wish they could’ve kept the original art style.

[@Chadius]

Critters is... weird, in terms of tone and style, but the monster designs are fantastic.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Never fear! I'm also a "Critters" fan! Shame Harvey Bullock overshadowed Renee Montoya in that ep yet again though.

[@biguy617]

Oh there is Mad Love. This is one of my favorite episodes

[@SerumLake]

In before anyone roasts me for not having Critters on this list.

[@cganimefan1267]

I'm not going to roast you for that even though Critters is my favorite TNBA episode. I understand why that episode is divisive. Because of how wild and weird it is, it's become a love it or hate it type of episode.

[@SerumLake]

It certainly was a different episode! I will say that I really enjoyed Steve Gerber’s original Howard The Duck comics, but for some reason I just didn’t get on with his Batman episodes.

[@srstriker6420]

@@SerumLake old wounds should have been on this list because of how it shows why Dick starts hating Batman.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

It's a surprisingly good ep in my eyes, but it sure doesn't deserve the Top 5 spots.

[@alexlemonds2838]

Here's a thought, videos where you rank the villain centric episodes. Starting, naturally, with my beloved Ivy.

[@SerumLake]

I’ll keep that idea in my back pocket.

[@TheBlackSaint]

My somewhat controversial take is that The New Batman Adventures is a different "universe." Sort of like how Earth 1 Batman and Earth 2 Batman had similar backstories but were different people. The New Batman Adventures is very much a part of the Superman: TAS universe. This isn't just stylistic changes in art style but the technology (B:TAS existed in an Art Deco 1950s world). I think Batman/Bruce Wayne is also very different, slightly darker. Watch "Robin's Reckoning." He's much better with young Dick than he was with young Tim.

[@SerumLake]

Thanks for sharing that, it’s a very interesting opinion. That’s definitely one way to get around some of the more controversial character changes, such as The Riddler, Mr Freeze and The Joker.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

So, just like Star Trek: The Original Series when paired with The Next Generation onwards?

[@chojinkid]

I also prefer the design of the first season, in the New Adventure they seemed to have become more cartoony and somehow more "kid friendly". The New Adventure always seemed more focused on the "Batman family" more than Batman himself, giving tons of screentime to the new allies like Batgirl, the new Tim Drake's Robin and Nightwing as well, for this reason it seems a separate thing indeed, it kinda dropped the more adult and gloomy contents of season 1 in favor of a lighter design as if it was planned for younger viewers, I'm now wondering if that happened because of the new Schumacher movies and the many complaints they made about Tim Burton's darker tones ( where season 1 clearly took inspiration). Said that it was still an enjoyable season, the episodes you mentioned were great and some of them were still deep and tragic (like Growing pains), I might be biased but I would add in the list Sins of the father, Judgement day and Never fear. Thank you again for your weekly videos ;)

[@SerumLake]

I recall reading somewhere that they didn’t have the same budget as BTAS for Superman and TNBA, so they made adjustments to the art style to make it simpler to animate. The fact that it made it appear more child friendly, while arguably being thematically dark at times, is likely what spurred executives in to commissioning Batman Beyond, and dropping Superman and TNBA. Which was also quite dark at times 😂

[@michaelandreipalon359]

​@@SerumLakeIn a sidenote, Joel Schumacher himself (may he rest in peace and still be remembered for "The Lost Boys" and A Time to Kill) actually liked his effeminate caricature in "Legends of rhe the Dark Knight, humorously enough.

[@animationunlimited2958]

5. You Scratch My Back. 4. Cult of the Cat. 3. The Ultimate Thrill. 2. Judgement Day. 1. Over the Edge.

[@lillianvioletrose9637]

I don’t really like the new version because of how they changed so many people’s personalities- especially Batman. BTAS Batman is known for genuinely caring and trying to help his villains, but in this version he’s cold and uncaring not only to his foes but to his allies as well. It just ruins it for me.

[@victorhurwitz5559]

In my opinion without me having watched any of btas I say the twist is good with the reveal and thus undoing it in a way that feels like an absolutely fucking horrifying nightmare.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Basically, Tim Drake does work a bit well as an audience surrogate.

[@cheezemonkeyeater]

"Which, in hindsight, seems a bit mean-spirited." But not unfair. Joel Schummaker really wasn't a very good director. Nice guy, by all accounts I've heard, but not very good at directing. Is what I would be saying if they didn't add the shot of the kid with the feather boa and the dreamy look, making it seem more like it's about him being gay than about his quality as a director. >.>

[@SerumLake]

You’re right about the gay joke, but I will defend Joel Schumacher to my dying breath. He has made some excellent films, like Falling Down and The Lost Boys. The reason why Batman Forever and Batman and Robin aren’t good is that he was hired by the studio to essentially make a Happy Meal commercial, and that’s exactly what he delivered. He nailed the assignment, but the assignment itself was a bad idea.

[@conradaster3764]

Barbra's death was horror movie brutal...

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Good picks, and can understand why you deem TNBA as its own show (and perhaps even a companion piece to Superman: The Animated Series, thus combining them into 78 eps), but I have a deep question or so: is TNBA better in production order or airdate order, and should "Sins of the Father" have been the series premiere? For me, my Top 5 varies over time, but now as of this comment... 1 - "Beware the Creeper" 2 - "Old Wounds" (could have been No. 1, but the idea of Batman and Batgirl having their TNBA designs feels off-putting; they should have done what The Lost Years comic did instead by having revamped takes on their B: TAS suits) 3 - "Sins of the Father" 4 - "Mean Seasons" (compared to No. 5, the villains modus operandi feels more closer to reality) 5 - "Judgment Day" Honorable Mention: "Legends of the Dark Knight" (come on, that TDKR love letter moment is a gem, though the "Silver Age" bit can enamor a Batman: The Brave and the Bold fan while the actual Firefly showdown isn't bad either)

[@SerumLake]

I agree that Sins of the Father would be a better first episode. I'd just take Holiday Knights and put it at the end, everything else works very well.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

@@SerumLake Alrighty then... now, production order or airdate order in your call?

[@SerumLake]

If I had to pick, I'd go with the air date order.

[@crakatoot5480]

The biggest problem with the New Adventures is what a DICK Batman is. He was much more personable in the original series

[@SerumLake]

He definitely seems more weary, with less compassion.

[@zemox2534]

True. There is am explanation for it. After years of fighting madmen and mud monsters, Bruce has slowly lost his humanity. His obsession has all but consumed him and it gets worse once Dick leaves.

[@alexandrefrauches132]

I always saw this as Bruce development. This series takes place some years after BTAS. By this point he spend so much time fighting criminals, colorful villains, monster and other threats that it start to affect Bruce in psychological level, to the point of him becoming less compassionate and too focus on his mission. It's only after meeting heroes like Superman that he starts to recover his humanity.

[@SerumLake]

Only for it all to be undone in Batman Beyond Return of The Joker!

[@zemox2534]

I hated Joker for what he did to Tim. It truly showed how cruel and evil he was.

[@Ingenuity009]

Cant believe you didnt have "Old Wounds" or "Never Fear" on here. Easily 2 of the top 5 best episodes.

[@calebe4266]

The 1st place is well deserved. It's my favorite episode, too! It carries all the weight from the original series and do something that i personally wished they have done more: put more spotlight on robin. Dick grayson in this universe is very annoying, he just complains everytime and when something requires his abilities, he always fail (he just complain about Batman not trusting him and saying that he wasn't ready, but when he goes solo he have a pretty ruth begin and don't do much after). I like more of tim drake, amd this episode is all his

[@SerumLake]

I must admit, the only Robin I like is Damian Wayne. I have my fingers crossed that he’s going to show up in the Batman Adventures Continue comics…

[@calebe4266]

@@SerumLake Wow, polemic taste, many dislike him (i like him, he is that kind of lovable hateful character). My favorite is the comics tim drake, because if his "brains over brawns" archetype. About your wish, are you sure he didn't showed up in beyond's stories? If he didn't, everything is possible, they already messes up the timeline to fit in jason todd

[@SerumLake]

You’re right, Damien did show up in the Beyond comics, but that series wasn’t set in the DC Animated Universe.

[@zemox2534]

Damien is terrible Tim Drake was a better Robin but that's just my opinion

[@calebe4266]

@@zemox2534 Tim drake is also my favorite, but i don't think damien is terrible, he is just different. I don't think that there are no superior robin, all of them are different from each other and have their strenghts and weakness

[@Maddogg2001]

I really liked Old wounds

[@angrygarbanzo5436]

"Girls Night Out" or "Beware the Creepy" need to be on here. Just one goofy episode.

[@SerumLake]

Uh oh…

[@ajra6143]

Waiter: How rare would you like your steak? Customer: Comic KZbinr considers a jab at a creator reviled by the fandom "meanspirited".

[@SerumLake]

That’ll be because I’ve seen his other films, where he wasn’t nagged into making a glorified Happy Meal commercial, and know that he was a good director 😂

[@JanetStarChild]

Yeah, there's some great episodes; but I can't get past the massive downgrade of the art direction and overall quality. Everything looks so janky and ugly; an omen of what was to come in the new millennium for cartoons in general (over-simplified, flat and blocky). I'm glad that, lately, we've been entering a renaissance of classic, quality art in animation. Also, I'm with you on TNBA (and the DCAU) being a seperate universe from BTAS; not just because of the art design, but also many other discrepancies and continuity errors that are otherwise resolved by separating the two universes.

[@nicholasfarrell5981]

Controversial opinion, but I despise Mad Love.

[@SerumLake]

You’re not the first person to say that to me, and that’s totally fine. We all like different things!

[@maxschreck4095]

You don´t like Robin? Booo! (To be fair the Tas version is kinda lame, he literally gets spanked lol)

[@SerumLake]

I don’t really like the idea of Robin more than anything else. The whole child endangerment thing that always confused me, and I tend to prefer more grounded, gritty stories.

[@maxschreck4095]

@@SerumLake Okay, I disagree but I respect your opinion. Personally I like Damian best, because he has literally been groomed to be a warrior anyway, so it makes more sense Bruce would make him his partner.

[@SerumLake]

Yeah, I can agree with that, Damian’s alright - I get that a lot of people think he’s obnoxious, but I like how petulant he is!

[@maxschreck4095]

@@SerumLake I like how he is tough but has a good heart beneath his coldness. Makes stuff like his friendship with Dick even more adorable.

[@JanetStarChild]

@@maxschreck4095 You like Damian Wayne best? Gawdamn, that is super cringe; though, I admire your willingness to admit it on a public forum. Frankly, Damian Wayne is the 'Scrappy Doo' of the Batman franchise; made, really, just to be 'hip with teens' (i.e. stunted edgelords).