Robin’s on the run!
Batman is patrolling the streets and trying to keep Gotham safe. Despite having new resources and allies, the danger in Gotham doesn’t seem to be decreasing. The villains are getting more dangerous as Batman’s legend grows.
The New Batman Adventures—Season 2 ran from September 14, 1998 to January 16, 1999 on the WB. The series which initially continued the Batman: The Animated Series featured crossover with Superman: The Animated Series and Static Shock. The season was released on DVD with the original series as Batman: The Animated Series—Volume 4.
Batman: The Animated Series was a must watch, and I can’t get enough of it. While The New Batman Adventures is technically a continuation of it, it doesn’t quite feel the same…but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t fun.
More vintage Joker please…
The seasons for this series are painfully short in comparison to Batman: The Animated Series which featured full syndication seasons. This makes it a little harder to get into them…you know the series is ending and a lot of the characters (enemies included) aren’t coming back…and there often isn’t much resolution to their storylines.
The show features two great stand-out episodes in “Mad Love” which adapts the classic Eisner comic adaptation of Harley Quinn’s origin (the character was created for Batman: The Animated Series) and “Legends of the Dark Knight” which features different periods in Batman’s history. Both episodes show how much range the series can have and how much fun the series can be…it was great getting to see a toned down Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and a “funny” Batman and Robin.
Harley’s got it bad for Joker
The animation for the series continues to be top-notch, but it isn’t as innovative since it just makes small tweaks to the great style that was created by the series. It still remains one of the better-looking animated shows on TV (and definitely one of the best super-hero animated series).
The New Batman Adventures—Season 2 is short and sweet, and it may not be the heyday of the Batman: The Animated Series, but it still is a worthy successor. The series ended the “modern day” Batman run of the DC Animated Universe, but the story continued in Batman Beyond which was released on the WB in 1999.
The New Batman Adventures—Season 2 Complete Episode Guide:
“The Ultimate Thrill”
2.1 The Ultimate Thrill Airdate: 09/14/98
Roxy Rocket is a woman who likes to take risks. Secretly working for the Penguin, Roxy sets her eyes on Batman…and the stunts are getting more dangerous and Penguin is getting anxious.
“Critters”
2.2 Critters Airdate: 09/19/98
Farmer Brown is pushing genetic engineering to the edge. When he is ordered to stop his experiments, he decides to take Gotham City hostage…and it is up to Batman, Robin, and Batgirl to stop him!
“Cult of the Cat”
2.3 Cult of the Cat Airdate: 09/18/98
Catwoman has caught the eye of the Cult of the Cat, and only Batman can save her when they decide to eliminate her.
“Animal Act”
2.4 Animal Act Airdate: 09/26/98
Batman, Robin, and Nightwing encounter a gorilla committing a robbery, and Nightwing traces it back to Haley’s Circus. With his old friend Miranda as a suspect, Nightwing tries to find the truth and why the robberies are occurring.
“Old Wounds”
2.5 Old Wounds Airdate: 10/03/98
While on patrol, Dick reveals to Tim why he and Batman hit the skids and how he became Nightwing.
“Legends of the Dark Knight”
2.6 Legends of the Dark Knight Airdate: 10/10/98
Three kids tell tales of Batman and Robin…but which Batman and Robin are the real Batman and Robin?
“Girl’s Night Out”
2.7 Girl’s Night Out Airdate: 10/17/98
Batman and Superman are out of town. When Livewire escapes custody while being transported through Gotham, Supergirl comes to town to help Batgirl stop her, but Livewire has allies herself in Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn.
“Chemistry”
2.8 Chemistry Airdate: 1024/98
When Bruce Wayne falls in love with a woman named Susan, he makes the decision to give up being Batman and marry. It leaves Dick, Barbara, and Tim the responsibility of carrying on Batman’s work.
“Judgment Day”
2.9 Judgment Day Airdate: 10/31/98
A superhuman called the Judge is targeting Gotham’s criminals. Targeted by a D.A., Batman realizes that the Judge must be dealt with before someone dies.
“Beware the Creeper”
2.10 Beware the Creeper Airdate: 11/07/98
Jack Ryder reports on the Joker’s origin but an attack has Jack Ryder transformed into the Creeper. With the Joker on the loose, the Creeper has some words for him.
“Mad Love”
2.11 Mad Love Airdate: 01/16/99
Harley Quinn remembers how she went from psychiatrist to supervillain for the love of the Joker. When the Joker turns on her, Harley decides she has to regain his respect one way or another.
Related Links:
The New Batman Adventures—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
Batman Beyond—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Batman Beyond—Season 2 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Batman Beyond—Season 3 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
Superman: The Animated Series—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Justice League—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Justice League—Season 2 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Justice League Unlimited—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Justice League Unlimited—Season 2 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Justice League Unlimited—Season 3 Review and Complete Episode Guide
