10 Greatest Episodes of Batman: The Animated Series

7. Avatar

I tried to avoid many of the more geek-tastic episodes of BTAS on this list. Those are the episodes that geeks love just because of a cool cameo or something like that and not because of strong storytelling or voice work (sorry no "Legends of the Dark Knight"). It's sad when animators waste their talents on servicing the fans, at the expense of the story. I tend to enjoy it more when an artist stretches themselves and tries their hand at different styles, tones, and moods in storytelling. "Bullet for Bullock" was one instance. "Avatar" is another. In "Avatar" Batman steps out of the dark and dingy world of Gotham and into a 1930's adventure serial. It's common knowledge that BTAS finds some of its roots in old serials, and in "Avatar" the animators finally decide to drop all pretence and going out and embracing their serialized roots. Batman chases his old nemesis, Ra Ah Ghul to Egypt with daughter Talia in tow in a madcap adventure that involves blood, sand, sorcery, and of course, mummies. The story (while cursory) finds its worth in the telling. The animators nail the tone of an old Egyptian-style serial to the letter, with shout-outs to everything from Indiana Jones to Casablanca. "Avatar" is usually passed over in the BTAS catalogue, but I don't know why. It's a great watch for fans of film with a keen eye for spotting genre tropes. Figure in a great ending, and the chance to see Batman on horseback, and you'll see that "Avatar" is one BTAS episode that should not be missed. P.S. In case you cameo lovers were offended, please remember to keep a special ear out for Nichelle Nichols of Star Trek fame as the voice of Thoth Khepera in "Avatar"