10 Best Batman: The Animated Series Episodes
6. I’ve Got Batman In My Basement
A rare episode in that we get to see a genuinely vulnerable Batman getting a little help from others.
The Penguin and his goons attack Batman after he apprehends them when they have stolen a Fabergé egg. In a follow-up encounter, Batman ends up being weakened by a gas pellet and a couple of kids, who fancy themselves as detectives too, stumble across the whole thing, ultimately helping Batman to escape and hide out in their basement.
I’m fond of this episode as it establishes Batman as a mythic hero figure to the people – specifically the children – of Gotham, while also showing that sometimes even Bats needs a helping hand. By framing the plot around kids – albeit resourceful ones – the episode also knowingly gives the younger audience exactly what they want. “Could I be like the Batman?” Sure!