402 - Team Penguin (Discussion)

[Binker]

PLOT:
After countless humiliations at the hands of the Batman, Penguin realizes that while he may not be able to take down the Dark Knight alone an all-star team of Gotham's most dangerous villains might just do the trick. While trying to stop this powerful force Batman must deal with team building issues of his own as Batgirl and Robin meet for the first time.

REVIEW:

"Who's the pixie?" - Batgirl

"Robin. Official partner to the Dark Knight." - Robin

The Season Four premiere of The Batman surprised and changed people's views of the show. Those who liked the show before, loved it. And those who disliked it or hated it before, enjoyed it now. Now for this next episode, we get.....the Penguin. Yes, again. Plus, now that got Robin here, time for him and Batgirl to meet.

The story was simple: Penguin has had it with losing with Batman. So getting ideas from a movie, he creates a supervillian team to handle the problem. Penguin's Injustice Gang includes the members: Penguin (of course), Firefly, Killer Croc, Ragdoll, and Killer Moth (although he mostly makes coffee for Penguin, he then turns into a moth monster thanks to a freak experiment). Bane appeared, after.......so many episodes where he wasn't since the second episode of Season One. But he was there in the beginning just to fought by the three bat-heroes. So he wasn't on the team at all, something Bane fans would be disappointed. And I know people will remember a bad TB episode in Swamped. I thought of that when I realized Croc was returning. Which I why I didn't get the Strikes comic with him in it. Luckily, his appearence bad wasn't bad at all.

Also, we got a DCU reference as the name to this team was offered to be changed into Villians United. Until Penguin shut him up (that being Ragdoll).

In Season Three, Batgirl appeared and wanted to be by Batman's side. However problems occur to make her request sorta...delayed. So when Robin appears with Batman & Batgirl already there, of course Batgirl would get jealously. However that ended with this episode as Batgirl learned Bruce and Dick were Batman & Robin and got her wish to get into the batcave. So now developments with her, and the other two, are happening (FINALLY!). This will change people's thoughts on her.

If there is one thing people, like or hate, had with the show was Penguin. Sure Penguin is one of Batman's rogues, and one of the well known ones, but many had problems with the fact that he appeared most times than he should've. However, while he seems to have one episode this season (something people would love), this time he's doing something different than stealing: creating a supervillian team. Now when I heard that, I thought of JLA quickly but I knew that wouldn't be the case.

Overall, we got the first supervillian team for Batman to fight, Robin introduced to Batgirl and Batgirl herself in now WITHIN the team as her wish was granted. Changes continue to occur in the show and more people will begin to love it even more. This was a fun episode, and was funny at times and I can't wait for the next.

RATING: 8/10

 

[I am Batman]

Loved this episode. I missed the last one so this was my first exposure to the new Robin. Did anyone notice that even though he's Dick Grayson, he has some bits of Tim Drake in him, like the belt design and the bo staff? This was a fantastic episode, great teamwork between Batman and Robin, some nice comedic moments, and the best part was the revelation of the secret identities particularly Barbara Gordan's.

 

[Lobo]

I really enjoyed the episode. And I liked that he took Babs to the Batcave

 

[Binker]

I was told that she would go to the batcave and know who B&R were, before the preimere, like weeks before. I just didn't know which would be the episode it would happen.

 

[King Ruler]

To me, the eppy was so so and pretty unoriginal (the whole villain team-up, lesson learned at the end thing has been done to death), but the highlight of the whole thing was Robin beating the **** outta Penguin! Someone has to make me an avvy of that.

 

[Lobo]

To me, the eppy was so so and pretty unoriginal (the whole villain team-up, lesson learned at the end thing has been done to death), but the highlight of the whole thing was Robin beating the **** outta Penguin! Someone has to make me an avvy of that.

Haha yeah t:

 

[batman44]

This episode was pretty good; Killer Moth was hilarious and the fighting btwn Robin and Batgirl is classic.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

I liked the episode. Batgirl finally being "officially" part of the team. The fighting between Batgirl and Robin is great, very son and daughter fighting for dad's attention.

 

[jaydawg]

This episode, as generic as it was, was definitely one of the finest TB I've seen. There was just something hilarious about Killer Moth. Anyone noticing how Robin kicks more ass than Batman? That scene with Penguin was awesome, the Ragdoll scene was pretty good too. Good to see the team acting as a team. Finally, I actually liked TB's version of Batgirl.

 

[Mister J]

This ep was pretty good, although I missed the first 10 minutes.The Robin/Batgirl infighting was OK, but I see how it could get really annoying if played too heavily. God, I'm actually starting to enjoy this show.

 

[Warhammer]

Great episode.
This is one of those episodes were cheezyness and excessive comedy worked. I loved the clash between Robin and Batgirl. I also love how Bats goes badass with making Barbara think he didn't know her identity. I thought the Robin/Batgirl thing was fun.

Killer Moth was a "WTF" character, but he was hilarious. Croc, Ragdoll, and Firefly saying "I'm done" and walking away was hilarious. Robin beating the crap out of Penguin made me lmao.

Rating: 9/10.

 

[Dread]

Maybe it helps that LOSH airs beforehand, because THE BATMAN has so far been a tad better. Maybe it also helps that Robin is being handled so well that this episode writes itself. Yes, "Team Penguin" is an enjoyable episode despite the title or the plot. It's the characters and their interactions that sell the episode, whether it's Batgirl meeting Robin or Penguin's team trying to work together. The plot itself is basic and hardly novel. And much as Ragdoll was introduced as a hanger-on in an Catwoman episode, another C-List baddie introduces himself here, Killer Moth.

Inspired by a heist-movie (which was paced MUCH better than a lot of hiests in THE BATMAN's real crimes) that has a team of thieves a la' OCEANS 12 working together, Penguin gets the idea that the only way he can truly succeed in Gotham is to get a team. Which, to be frank, is hardly a new philosophy. He's attempted team-ups with Catwoman and Man-Bat before, albeit he usually sought to doublecross or control them (and he basically does that again here). And what about his Kabuki Twins? But, like I said, the plot's not the thing here, because it's a 60's era team-up plot where the writers seemingly plucked some names out of a hat. It's the character interactions and dialogue exchanges that sell it.

Yes...an episode of THE BATMAN that is actually SAVED, not ruined, by dialogue. I'm so glad the writers have quit their crack, if only for a short time. Oh, and as usual, the animation is pretty and the action is nice. But you can take that for granted with THE BATMAN. Their action/animation have been carryin' it for most of it's run. Now all we need is a Catwoman episode where she has good lines...

So Pengie sends out his birds to offer invitations to seemingly any costumed clown within Gotham's borders, and happens upon Bane, who hasn't been seen since Season 1, episode 3. He's STILL an awkward design and he's STILL just pulling a poor man's Rhino, just smashing into banks and ripping off safe doors. Almost immediately, Batgirl confronts him, and I shook my head at what she honestly thought she was going to do against him, being that she almost got Batman himself killed when Joker started taking "venom" in BRAWN. But in short fashion, the Dynamic Duo show up, and Batgirl rubs off the wrong way with Robin. She feels betrayed that he's taken up another partner, and actually trained him with coordinated manuvers. Well, that's easy, Barb. Robin's not annoying. What's amazing is that he's maybe 3 years younger than Barbara, or more, but his tragic origin has likely made him more mature, and more like Wayne (only being younger, has more of a sense of humor). In fact, it's trying to horn in on Robin's moves that gets them both grabbed by Bane, but Batman fortunately shuts him down before harm comes to them. Now, I suppose one may wonder why Bane has seeming a little de-powered; a drop-kick from Batman actually stunned him here, whereas last time you needed a Bat-Bot to effect him. But I honestly don't care so long as I never have to see a Bat-Bot again.

And considering the group of rogues Pengie did get, if Bane HAD joined, they may have been unstoppable. Rather than go for obvious overdone villians like Joker or Mr. Freeze, they went for the B-Listers who either only have 1 episode to their credit, or none; Firefly, Ragdoll, Killer Croc, and the aforementioned Moth. Moth here is played for comic relief as a sad-sack wanna-be villian who get stuck being everyone's gofer. Ragdoll can't carry an episode and both Croc & Firefly only have one solo, so this worked to give them all more exposure. Plus, it makes sense that those a bit "lower" on the crime food chain would take up the offer, rather than "A-Listers" like Joker, Riddler, or Catwoman. Besides, Joker's usually Pengie's rival anyway. They mobilize to steal a chemical from a lab, and again run afoul of Batman, Robin, and Batgirl. Once again, a miscue between Batgirl butting in on Robin causes them to be left in some deathtrap, but Batman uses a gadget to escape. The pair of teen vigilantes bicker in the Batmobile about getting in each other's way and Batman silently conceeds to Barb that since actually doing team training is working with Grayson, it'd be best to get her coordinated, too. The trip in the Cave, and the revealing of identies, is priceless. And the pair of sidekicks, as much as I dislike the notion of Batman "babysitting", have some fun rapport, trash talking each other almost like caped siblings. And Robin STILL comes off as more mature. At, like, 2/3rd's her height.

However, no chemical in Gotham is safe, and while Moth transports it around in their van, the fumes merge with the insects that flutter around him and mutate him into a giant, purple moth. But rather than him just becoming a rampaging monster, he maintains his sad-sack mentality, which was pure gold. He also helps Penguin keep his loose team together, even when he's only stealing a bird-themed thing for himself (and he all but sells them out the first change he gets when the heroes arrive). Oh, and Robin PWNING Penguin? Bad ASS. My god I waited 2 seasons to see that idiot get punk'd that badly. And all the action was pretty cool; Robin's at least efficient and not nearly as burdensome as Batgirl was for most of her appearences. Still...if Croc AND Bane had been on that team...

So, the heroes collar the crooks and it seems the Dynamic Duo is now a Trio, which ends with Batman smirking at the pair of them starting to get along...but still bickering like kids. It reminded me of something Grant Morrison claimed when he did some interviews regarding his BATMAN work, claiming that "Wayne needed the sidekick to get him to loosen up and not get too psychotic", and I guess that's true. I'm still not huge on Batman leading a "team of teen heroes" all the time, but so long as we have some solo outings this season, all will be good. Definately looking up from Season 3, by far. Hell, it could even outdo TMNT: FAST FOWARD if the Turtles don't step up their game.

For my money, though, TEEN TITANS still has the best version of Killer Moth. He somehow managed to be both amusing and kind of creepy when he had to be, hardly an easy feat. Plus, his design worked.

 

[Proteus-X312]

Maybe it helps that LOSH airs beforehand, because THE BATMAN has so far been a tad better. Maybe it also helps that Robin is being handled so well that this episode writes itself. Yes, "Team Penguin" is an enjoyable episode despite the title or the plot. It's the characters and their interactions that sell the episode, whether it's Batgirl meeting Robin or Penguin's team trying to work together. The plot itself is basic and hardly novel. And much as Ragdoll was introduced as a hanger-on in an Catwoman episode, another C-List baddie introduces himself here, Killer Moth.

Inspired by a heist-movie (which was paced MUCH better than a lot of hiests in THE BATMAN's real crimes) that has a team of thieves a la' OCEANS 12 working together, Penguin gets the idea that the only way he can truly succeed in Gotham is to get a team. Which, to be frank, is hardly a new philosophy. He's attempted team-ups with Catwoman and Man-Bat before, albeit he usually sought to doublecross or control them (and he basically does that again here). And what about his Kabuki Twins? But, like I said, the plot's not the thing here, because it's a 60's era team-up plot where the writers seemingly plucked some names out of a hat. It's the character interactions and dialogue exchanges that sell it.

Yes...an episode of THE BATMAN that is actually SAVED, not ruined, by dialogue. I'm so glad the writers have quit their crack, if only for a short time. Oh, and as usual, the animation is pretty and the action is nice. But you can take that for granted with THE BATMAN. Their action/animation have been carryin' it for most of it's run. Now all we need is a Catwoman episode where she has good lines...

So Pengie sends out his birds to offer invitations to seemingly any costumed clown within Gotham's borders, and happens upon Bane, who hasn't been seen since Season 1, episode 3. He's STILL an awkward design and he's STILL just pulling a poor man's Rhino, just smashing into banks and ripping off safe doors. Almost immediately, Batgirl confronts him, and I shook my head at what she honestly thought she was going to do against him, being that she almost got Batman himself killed when Joker started taking "venom" in BRAWN. But in short fashion, the Dynamic Duo show up, and Batgirl rubs off the wrong way with Robin. She feels betrayed that he's taken up another partner, and actually trained him with coordinated manuvers. Well, that's easy, Barb. Robin's not annoying. What's amazing is that he's maybe 3 years younger than Barbara, or more, but his tragic origin has likely made him more mature, and more like Wayne (only being younger, has more of a sense of humor). In fact, it's trying to horn in on Robin's moves that gets them both grabbed by Bane, but Batman fortunately shuts him down before harm comes to them. Now, I suppose one may wonder why Bane has seeming a little de-powered; a drop-kick from Batman actually stunned him here, whereas last time you needed a Bat-Bot to effect him. But I honestly don't care so long as I never have to see a Bat-Bot again.

And considering the group of rogues Pengie did get, if Bane HAD joined, they may have been unstoppable. Rather than go for obvious overdone villians like Joker or Mr. Freeze, they went for the B-Listers who either only have 1 episode to their credit, or none; Firefly, Ragdoll, Killer Croc, and the aforementioned Moth. Moth here is played for comic relief as a sad-sack wanna-be villian who get stuck being everyone's gofer. Ragdoll can't carry an episode and both Croc & Firefly only have one solo, so this worked to give them all more exposure. Plus, it makes sense that those a bit "lower" on the crime food chain would take up the offer, rather than "A-Listers" like Joker, Riddler, or Catwoman. Besides, Joker's usually Pengie's rival anyway. They mobilize to steal a chemical from a lab, and again run afoul of Batman, Robin, and Batgirl. Once again, a miscue between Batgirl butting in on Robin causes them to be left in some deathtrap, but Batman uses a gadget to escape. The pair of teen vigilantes bicker in the Batmobile about getting in each other's way and Batman silently conceeds to Barb that since actually doing team training is working with Grayson, it'd be best to get her coordinated, too. The trip in the Cave, and the revealing of identies, is priceless. And the pair of sidekicks, as much as I dislike the notion of Batman "babysitting", have some fun rapport, trash talking each other almost like caped siblings. And Robin STILL comes off as more mature. At, like, 2/3rd's her height.

However, no chemical in Gotham is safe, and while Moth transports it around in their van, the fumes merge with the insects that flutter around him and mutate him into a giant, purple moth. But rather than him just becoming a rampaging monster, he maintains his sad-sack mentality, which was pure gold. He also helps Penguin keep his loose team together, even when he's only stealing a bird-themed thing for himself (and he all but sells them out the first change he gets when the heroes arrive). Oh, and Robin PWNING Penguin? Bad ASS. My god I waited 2 seasons to see that idiot get punk'd that badly. And all the action was pretty cool; Robin's at least efficient and not nearly as burdensome as Batgirl was for most of her appearences. Still...if Croc AND Bane had been on that team...

So, the heroes collar the crooks and it seems the Dynamic Duo is now a Trio, which ends with Batman smirking at the pair of them starting to get along...but still bickering like kids. It reminded me of something Grant Morrison claimed when he did some interviews regarding his BATMAN work, claiming that "Wayne needed the sidekick to get him to loosen up and not get too psychotic", and I guess that's true. I'm still not huge on Batman leading a "team of teen heroes" all the time, but so long as we have some solo outings this season, all will be good. Definately looking up from Season 3, by far. Hell, it could even outdo TMNT: FAST FOWARD if the Turtles don't step up their game.

For my money, though, TEEN TITANS still has the best version of Killer Moth. He somehow managed to be both amusing and kind of creepy when he had to be, hardly an easy feat. Plus, his design worked.

Another great review Dread.I really enjoyed this episode and I love Robin in this series.Imo Robin and Killer Moth are two of the best new characters since Clayface.I thought it was funny when Batgirl tried to act like she was the shiznit by refusing to reveal her identity and then Bruce cuts her off and says "She's Barbara Gordon",effin'classic.I can't wait to see the next episode.

 

[Mister J]

Bats revealing Barbara's identity after her hesitation reminded me of when the same happened with Flash in Starcrossed (JL). The reactions afted the reveal had me rolling.

 

[November Rain]

is this on youtube yet?

 

[King Ruler]

Bats revealing Barbara's identity after her hesitation reminded me of when the same happened with Flash in Starcrossed (JL). The reactions afted the reveal had me rolling.

That was instantly the greatest quote throughout that whole episode:

Flash: I trust you guys and all, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to....
Batman: Wally West, Clark Kent. (removes cowl) Bruce Wayne.
Flash: ....Show off.

 

[ghost113]

missed the episode, who was on penguin's "team"?

 

[Mister J]

Croc, Firefly, Ragdoll and Killer Moth.

 

[cabel]

Dick Grayson's my favortie character(thanks more to New Teen Titans than Batman) andn I've been enjoying this latest incarnation.

 

[ghost113]

Sounds pretty cool, I'm pissed I missed it.

 

[Ultimate_Superman]

I just wish they would get rid of Batgirl and just keep Robin.

 

[November Rain]

she'll probably get faded out eventually...

it's quite clear that the joker is going to give her a serious put down in the forseeable future...

 

[chosen1]

I wasnt too pleased w/ this episode. it was okay

7/10

 

[Ultimate_Superman]

The down point for me was Batgirl I felt Batman should have set the record stright and told Batgirl this was his offical side-kick. I mean when Batman and Robin started fighting Bane together the look on her face said OWNED.

 

[spider-neil]

That was instantly the greatest quote throughout that whole episode:

Flash: I trust you guys and all, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to....
Batman: Wally West, Clark Kent. (removes cowl) Bruce Wayne.
Flash: ....Show off.

batman: she's barbara gordon

best line in the entire batman series I actually laughed out loud. the way bruce delivers the line was absolutely priceless.