The New Batman Adventures, which was essentially the fourth season of Batman: The Animated Series, is a rather divisive piece of Batman media. The controversial redesigns, the darker tone, and the lessening of the “dark deco” art style rubbed a whole lot of fans the wrong way.
It does have a lot of fans though, as The New Batman Adventures still had many of the qualities that made Batman: The Animated Series so good. In fact, many episodes of The New Batman Adventures are right up there with the best Batman stories of all time…then there are the others.
Best: Legends Of The Dark Knight (8.5)
With a title inspired by the beloved anthology series from DC Comics, “Legends of The Dark Knight” achieves greatness both on its own merits and by paying tribute to other great Batman stories. Three kids walk around Gotham talking about Batman, with each kid’s view of The Dark Knight being completely different.
With one segment that adapts the works of artists like Dick Sprang and another that is a near-direct adaptation of a scene from The Dark Knight Returns, fans are in for a good time with this one. If fans like this episode, they are in good company, as according to producer Bruce Timm, both Dick Sprang and Frank Miller voiced their appreciation for this episode.
Worst: Love Is A Croc (7.0)
Although this episode is a sequel to one of Batman: The Animated Series‘ most underrated episodes “Baby Doll,” that can’t excuse how utterly mediocre this episode is. Baby Doll breaks Killer Croc out of Arkham and the two begin a Bonnie & Clyde style crime spree.
“Love Is A Croc” certainly has merits and its premise is totally adorable, however that isn’t enough to save this one. If fans are pressed for time and want to watch the best The New Batman Adventures has to offer, “Love Is A Croc” is a guaranteed skip.
Best: Judgement Day (8.7)
Based on the DVD collections of Batman: The Animated Series, “Judgement Day” is the last episode of the show. While it may not be the best episode of the overall series, it at least ends The New Batman Adventures on a high note.
An episode that sees a mysterious vigilante known as The Judge brutalize many of Batman’s rogues, this episode is a compelling little mystery. The red herrings stand out and the final reveal is a tad predictable, but in the end, it’s about the journey as opposed to the destination.
Worst: The Demon Within (6.9)
The first episode of The New Batman Adventures to have any ties to the grander DCAU, sadly “The Demon Within” can’t live up to that lofty ambition. When Klarion takes control of Etrigan, it is up to Batman to stop The Witch Boy.
Etrigan’s tenure in the DC Animated Universe is full of fun stories, but alas this is not among them. Pro tip, skip “The Demon Within” and travel over to Justice League for a more solid Etrigan experience, as one will not be found in this episode.
Best: Old Wounds (8.9)
If anyone was curious as to what happened between Dick and Bruce, then the answer lies within “Old Wounds.” Told through the narrative device of Nightwing recounting the story to Tim Drake, the current Robin, “Old Wounds” recalls how Batman and Dick Grayson’s epic falling out happened.
Though the episode portrays Batman himself as a callous jerkface, it isn’t really his story. Watching as Grayson, not long after graduating from college, becomes disillusioned with Batman’s way of crime-fighting goes from tragic to suspenseful when one of Batman’s darkest secrets is laid bare.
Worst: The Ultimate Thrill (6.9)
There is a large amount of characters created for Batman: The Animated Series that eventually made the jump to comics, but Roxy Rocket is perhaps the least used villain other than Lock-Up. If there is one thing “The Ultimate Thrill” is known for, it’s that the episode is extremely sexually charged.
Roxy Rocket herself is a really fun character, the problem is that the episode’s story isn’t strong enough for her to really make an impression. “The Ultimate Thrill” is the absolute embodiment of a missed opportunity.
Best: Over The Edge (9.3)
“Over The Edge” is the kind of episode that was designed to mess with people’s heads. The episode begins with Commissioner Gordon, flanked by an army of GCPD officers, swarming The Batcave, arresting Alfred, and prompting Batman and Robin to go on the run.
The rest of the episode, which will not be spoiled here, becomes even more intense. When an episode is compared to “Perchance To Dream,” one of the best Batman: The Animated Series episodes, the show is doing something right.
Worst: Animal Act (6.9)
A running trend with The New Batman Adventures is episodes involving animals who commit crimes, with the core two examples being among the worst episodes of the show. “Animal Act” has Batman, Nightwing, and Robin investigating a theft perpetrated by a gorilla that has ties back to Haly’s Circus, Dick Grayson’s former home.
The episode harkens back to the origins of Dick Grayson, which is a potentially interesting idea, but this story is simply to campy to be dramatically compelling. The reveal that The Mad Hatter is behind this should come as no surprise.
Best: Mad Love (9.4)
Not only the best episode of The New Batman Adventures, “Mad Love” is one of the best episodes of Batman: The Animated Series full stop. An episode that is both hilarious and heartbreaking, this episode turned Harley Quinn from a mere ditzy henchwoman into someone far more complex.
Not only does “Mad Love” give Harley more depth and tragedy, it also examines the physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive relationship she is in with Mr. J. The Joker has always been a horrible person, but “Mad Love” shows just how monstrous he is.
Worst: Critters (5.8)
A comparison to Batman 1966 can either be positive or negative, with “Critters” being an example of the latter. Farmer Brown, a disgraced farmer/microbiologist attempts to get revenge on Gotham City for rejecting his experiments by unleashing a horde of massive animals upon it.
“Critters” genuinely feels like it was a script for the campy Adam West series. Despite being written by Joe Lansdale, the writer of “Perchance To Dream,” this episode has none of the polish that made Batman: The Animated Series shine and is easily the episode where the show jumped the shark.
