World's Finest Podcast

James and Mike continue the discussion of Superman: The Animated Series by examining five more episodes: "Fun and Games," "A Little Piece of Home," "Feeding Time," "The Way of All Flesh" and "Stolen Memories." All that, plus a slew of listener feedback!

At last, the time has come for James and Mike to discuss Superman: The Animated Series! First up, the three-part origin story "The Last Son of Krypton."

Before beginning their coverage of Superman: The Animated Series, James and Mike take one last look at Batman: The Animated Series. Along the way they answer a host of e-mails, play a very special recording, talk about their favorite moments and, finally, reevaluate some of their scores.

Previously Mr. Freeze was portrayed as a tortured, sympathetic villain, but all that changed during the animated movie Batman and Mr. Freeze: SubZero. And that change isn't particularly liked by your hosts.

It's the end of an era! After 18 episodes of World's Finest Podcast, James and Mike are finally here to discuss the final five episodes of Batman: The Animated Series: "Harley's Holiday," "Lock-Up," "Make 'em Laugh," "Deep Freeze" and "Batgirl Returns."

Will James and Mike eventually cover the DCAU tie-in video games, and why can't Batman suffer brain damage? Those questions and more are answered before five more episode of Batman: The Animated Series are reviewed, those being "Baby-Doll," "The Lion and the Unicorn," "Showdown," "Riddler's Reform" and "Second Chance."

Though they both had colds, James and Mike managed to record their longest episode yet! What filled the time? Well, there's talk of censorship, the Marvel Animated Universe and why Batman will never be able to cure the Joker. Of course they also covered five episode of Batman: The Animated Series. First up is the irredeemable "The Terrible Trio," which is an episode that should never have been made. In "Harlequinade" Batman and Harley Quinn join forces to prevent the Joker from detonating an atomic bomb. The Clock King and Catwoman return in "Time Out of Joint" and "Catwalk" (respectively), whilst "Bane" sees the debut of the masked assassin Bane.

In "Sideshow" Killer Croc makes some friends, while someone attempts to murder Detective Harvey Bullock in "A Bullet for Bullock." Next Batman and the new District Attorney go on trial in the aptly named "Trial," and "Avatar" sees the return of Ra's al Ghul. Lastly, Poison Ivy supposedly gives up her life of crime in "House and Garden."

This week your friendly hosts took a break from Batman: The Animated Series (sort of). Instead of covering five episode of the show that launched the DC Animated Universe, they discussed the first (and only) DCAU theatrical release. Oh yes, it's Batman: Mask of the Phantasm!

Mike and James briefly discuss Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Nintendo Wii, answer a few e-mails and then review four episodes of Batman: The Animated Series: "His Silicon Soul," "Fire from Olympus," "Read My Lips" and "The Worry Men."

Calling "The Demon's Quest" epic doesn't even begin to do this Batman: The Animated Series episode justice, nor does sandwiching it in with four other episodes of the show. That said, James and Mike decided to dedicate an entire episode of World's Finest Podcast to "The Demon's Quest."

Though they only review three episodes of Batman: The Animated Series this time around, James and Mike hardly have a light week. First there's an inbox full of e-mails to read, then they cover "Harley and Ivy" (in which Batman should have died), "Shadow of the Bat" (in which the rumors about the Dynamic Duo are confirmed) and "Blind as a Bat" (in which Tony Stark could have stood in for Bruce Wayne).

In this edition of World's Finest Podcast, James and Mike answer a slew of e-mails, and then discuss five episodes of Batman: The Animated Series: "The Man Who Killed Batman," "Mudslide," "Paging the Crime Doctor," "Zatanna" and "The Mechanic."

Someone gave the hilarious "Almost Got 'Im" a perfect score. Both James and Mike are surprised by the sorrow they feel for the Penguin in "Birds of a Feather." "What is Reality?" marks the second appearance of the Riddler. Batman apparently shops at Hot Topic, as evidenced by his behavior in "I Am the Night." And two crucial Batman: The Animated Series characters are introduced in "Off Balance."

First James and Mike answer several e-mails, then they dive headfirst into a steaming pile of BTAS episodes. "Joker's Wild" numbs the brain. "Tyger, Tyger" isn't so bad... depending on who you ask. "Moon of the Wolf" is the worst episode of Batman: The Animated Series, period. Though not as good as the first part, "Day of the Samurai" is sort of okay... yet completely nonsensical. Then there's "Terror in the Sky" with its hints at marital unrest.

"Night of the Ninja" explores a small portion of Bruce Wayne's shrouded youth. Nothing makes sense in "Cat Scratch Fever." Once the rogues appear, "The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne" becomes a fun episode. The two-part "Heart of Steel" is remarkable for introducing Barbara Gordon, and for its otherworldly eeriness. And "If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?" finally introduces The Riddler.

We're baaaaack! (In all seriousness, sorry about the long delay between episodes.) This time around Alfred takes the fall for Bruce ("Eternal Youth"). In "Perchance to Dream" Bruce Wayne is given his dream life, but turns it away. An international thief targets Batman in "The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy." Dick Grayson's emotional origin is recounted ("Robin's Reckoning"). And The Joker plots another zany scheme in "The Laughing Fish."

The Scarecrow must be insanely stupid if he can't ascertain Robin's true identity ("Fear of Victory"). Batman gives Temple Fugate way too much respect in "The Clock King," leaving James and Mike at a loss for words. Some familiar faces appear in "Appointment in Crime Alley," and Mike takes issue with Batman leaving roses in Crime Alley. Mix "Mad as a Hatter" with James' love for Lewis Carroll and you wind up with a (mostly) gushing review. And does "Dreams in Darkness" make an allusion to Jason Todd's grisly murder?

Who'd have thought the once-campy Adam West could turn in such a touching performance ("Beware the Gray Ghost"), or that Heather Locklear had a small part in the lackluster "Prophecy of Doom"? "Feat of Clay" begs a serious question, and continues to portray Batman's villains as sympathetic characters. If there's one person in the world you wouldn't want to owe a favor to, it's The Joker ("Joker's Favor"). And in "Vendetta" Batman admits he was wrong about Harvey Bullock!

"It's Never Too Late" proved mobsters could be sympathetic characters years before The Sopranos hit HBO. Not every episode can be a gem, and "I've Got Batman in My Basement" illustrates that. Bruce Wayne might be a hopeless romantic, but Batman sees everything in black and white ("Cat and the Claw"). The near-perfect "Heart of Ice" needs no description. And "See No Evil" has a shocking subtext. If that wasn't enough for you, listen just to hear Mike make quite possibly the funniest Freudian slip ever.