Binker
Superhero
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2005
- Messages
- 7,118
- Reaction score
- 185
- Points
- 73
401 - A Matter of Family
PLOT:
When the circus comes to Gotham, ruthless crime boss Tony Zucco demands protection money from the Flying Graysons, a family of trapeze artists. They refuse to pay and Zucco exacts revenge, leaving, Dick, the youngest Grayson an orphan. Having experienced a similar tragedy himself, Batman is driven to take down Zucco and in the process discovers an unexpected bond with Dick.
REVIEW:
"His parents were the family that boy had." - Alfred
"That's why I've decided to take him in. As a foster son." - Bruce Wayne
Fans were upset, yet ready to see how the idea would be approached and handled, when Batgirl appeared next to Batman in season three. Because Robin was not only the first sidekick in comic books, but he was Batman's first young partner at his side, fans wanted him in the show. Their wish was also next to their wish for a matured, darker Batman in the show. For The Batman's fourth season, fans got their wishes come true and now they have the Boy Wonder next to the dark, Dark Knight.
The whole episode's plot is basically the origin to Robin. It is like a up-to-date version of Detective Comics #38, which was the first Robin appearence. With the modern elements, like the bond between Bruce and Dick, from stories like Dark Victory. However, the idea of Zucco after the Graysons for money by force shows me that this might what will be revealed as to why they died in All Star Batman & Robin.
In the preview shown at Comic Con, and even before that with the first promotion images for ther new season, we saw that the design for Batman was changed. Animation-wise: it really shines. I was glad for this change becasue many didn't like his more "pointed" chin from the previous three seasons. Also, it shows that he has aged a little and matured. Batman right now is now dark, you can see when he arrives and delivers the first punch without delay and destroys the door to get into the club that Zucco goes to, and that is good. Not because he had to be since this was a fourth season, but if he wasn't dark then the whole idea behind the creation of Robin and why he has to be next to Batman wouldn't work nor make sense. I also liked seeing how much Batman relates to Dick and how he wants to prove Zucco did it.
I wanted to see how Robin would be handled in the show since I know, just like BTAS, that certain liberties would be issued to prevent things from the origin not to be shown on TV. Before his parents' death, Dick is shown as a happy go lucly kid that has more fun with his skills as an acrobat and is very loveable with his parents. When Zucco threated the Graysons in the beginning, he takes a stand (so does his father, I mean its the guy who voiced Batman in the DCAU) so it shows he's a hero. From that, when they die, you see his soul destroyed. And how they die is like BTAS "Robin's Reckoning" where you don't see them dying but Dick (and us) seeing them die is tragic.
When he is in Wayne Manor, he has burning hatred to get Zucco (something also Batman can relate to). Then when he finds out Bruce is Batman, he begins to understand why Bruce brought him in. When Dick and Batman see each other in the cave, I somehow saw it as Dick (like Bruce) meeting his future self (Batman). More of the connection between them. Robin is a character that when he is there with Batman, he shows humanity and at times to pull Batman away from a dark abyss. He is the light to Batman's darkness. I can't wait for him to meet Batgirl.
I think it was obivious, before we saw his design, that it would be the Tim Drake/'90s Robin costume we were going to get. Because it was modern AND Dick Grayson wore that in Batman: The Animated Series. Instead, the costume here is basically like a modern version of Dick Grayson's actual Robin costume (the pixy boot one) but modernized for today. Its actually like Batgirl's costume since that was a modern version of the costume from the '60s show. The belt is based on Tim Drake's costume, the colors of the "R" is a black R on a yellow circle, a version they made for their show since all the time its a yellow R in a black circle. And finally, the green pants and green shoes (despite looking like its one) is based on All Star Batman. At least we are giving a bit of backstory that his costume is based on his performing costume.
Zucco is a bad guy, in every way. And while his men have skills, probably due to this show, he is what real bad guys are. A man so currupt that he'll murder to prove he is not to be messin' with and to get what he wants. To show fear. I was glad that they didn't do anything to mess with it, like making him a colorful villian. No, he's a mob boss. And we got that. I was surprised when I heard that Mark Hamill would be Tony Zucco and Kevin Conroy was John Grayson. With Conroy's character's death thanks to Hamill's character, I guess the DCAU Joker got his wish against the DCAU Batman.
Overall, this season four opener offers to fans, both who either liked or disliked the show, more of what the characters are like from the comics. We have Robin, Batman with a dark attitude and matured personality (complete with a new chin). The problems people had with it are looking like it'll go away. A good episode.
RATING: 9/10
PLOT:
When the circus comes to Gotham, ruthless crime boss Tony Zucco demands protection money from the Flying Graysons, a family of trapeze artists. They refuse to pay and Zucco exacts revenge, leaving, Dick, the youngest Grayson an orphan. Having experienced a similar tragedy himself, Batman is driven to take down Zucco and in the process discovers an unexpected bond with Dick.
REVIEW:
"His parents were the family that boy had." - Alfred
"That's why I've decided to take him in. As a foster son." - Bruce Wayne
Fans were upset, yet ready to see how the idea would be approached and handled, when Batgirl appeared next to Batman in season three. Because Robin was not only the first sidekick in comic books, but he was Batman's first young partner at his side, fans wanted him in the show. Their wish was also next to their wish for a matured, darker Batman in the show. For The Batman's fourth season, fans got their wishes come true and now they have the Boy Wonder next to the dark, Dark Knight.
The whole episode's plot is basically the origin to Robin. It is like a up-to-date version of Detective Comics #38, which was the first Robin appearence. With the modern elements, like the bond between Bruce and Dick, from stories like Dark Victory. However, the idea of Zucco after the Graysons for money by force shows me that this might what will be revealed as to why they died in All Star Batman & Robin.
In the preview shown at Comic Con, and even before that with the first promotion images for ther new season, we saw that the design for Batman was changed. Animation-wise: it really shines. I was glad for this change becasue many didn't like his more "pointed" chin from the previous three seasons. Also, it shows that he has aged a little and matured. Batman right now is now dark, you can see when he arrives and delivers the first punch without delay and destroys the door to get into the club that Zucco goes to, and that is good. Not because he had to be since this was a fourth season, but if he wasn't dark then the whole idea behind the creation of Robin and why he has to be next to Batman wouldn't work nor make sense. I also liked seeing how much Batman relates to Dick and how he wants to prove Zucco did it.
I wanted to see how Robin would be handled in the show since I know, just like BTAS, that certain liberties would be issued to prevent things from the origin not to be shown on TV. Before his parents' death, Dick is shown as a happy go lucly kid that has more fun with his skills as an acrobat and is very loveable with his parents. When Zucco threated the Graysons in the beginning, he takes a stand (so does his father, I mean its the guy who voiced Batman in the DCAU) so it shows he's a hero. From that, when they die, you see his soul destroyed. And how they die is like BTAS "Robin's Reckoning" where you don't see them dying but Dick (and us) seeing them die is tragic.
When he is in Wayne Manor, he has burning hatred to get Zucco (something also Batman can relate to). Then when he finds out Bruce is Batman, he begins to understand why Bruce brought him in. When Dick and Batman see each other in the cave, I somehow saw it as Dick (like Bruce) meeting his future self (Batman). More of the connection between them. Robin is a character that when he is there with Batman, he shows humanity and at times to pull Batman away from a dark abyss. He is the light to Batman's darkness. I can't wait for him to meet Batgirl.
I think it was obivious, before we saw his design, that it would be the Tim Drake/'90s Robin costume we were going to get. Because it was modern AND Dick Grayson wore that in Batman: The Animated Series. Instead, the costume here is basically like a modern version of Dick Grayson's actual Robin costume (the pixy boot one) but modernized for today. Its actually like Batgirl's costume since that was a modern version of the costume from the '60s show. The belt is based on Tim Drake's costume, the colors of the "R" is a black R on a yellow circle, a version they made for their show since all the time its a yellow R in a black circle. And finally, the green pants and green shoes (despite looking like its one) is based on All Star Batman. At least we are giving a bit of backstory that his costume is based on his performing costume.
Zucco is a bad guy, in every way. And while his men have skills, probably due to this show, he is what real bad guys are. A man so currupt that he'll murder to prove he is not to be messin' with and to get what he wants. To show fear. I was glad that they didn't do anything to mess with it, like making him a colorful villian. No, he's a mob boss. And we got that. I was surprised when I heard that Mark Hamill would be Tony Zucco and Kevin Conroy was John Grayson. With Conroy's character's death thanks to Hamill's character, I guess the DCAU Joker got his wish against the DCAU Batman.
Overall, this season four opener offers to fans, both who either liked or disliked the show, more of what the characters are like from the comics. We have Robin, Batman with a dark attitude and matured personality (complete with a new chin). The problems people had with it are looking like it'll go away. A good episode.
RATING: 9/10
