Written by: John Matta & Matt Weinhold
Directed by: Rick morales
Synopsis: Professor Pyg and Mr. Toad are back and they’ve set their sights on Gotham’s elite couture culture. Leaving clues that only Batman can decipher, they attack both a model and a clothing designer- encasing them in deadly traps. Although Batman and Katana are able to save the day, they miss Pyg and Toad’s master plan: to destroy the yacht where the after-party for Gotham’s Fashion Week is being staged. Every fashion icon in the world will be there, as well as Bruce Wayne.
Beware the Batman continues to be a surprising show. Whether it’s fair or not, I believe it will always be compared to the standard when it comes to Batman animation, and that is Batman: The Animated Series. Is it as good? I think not, and that’s okay. I was a little skeptical when snippets (albeit minor) were released about this show, but as with anything Batman, figured I’d give it a shot. The show is put together very well, it’s a bit unpredictable, and it has a fresh take on a 74-year-old character. Beware the Batman indeed, he’ll always catch you off guard.
This week’s episode, “Instinct”, adds to its already impressive list of episodes. It’s more of a stand-alone, but includes a few parts that connects with earlier storylines. We see the return of Professor Pyg and Mr. Toad, who we last saw in the show’s premiere episode. I really dig the creative team’s take on Professor Pyg (Alfred Hitchcock anyone?), as I enjoyed yet could never fully believe Grant Morrison’s original character. Not that this Saturday morning cartoon could ever bring THAT character to television, but this take is just a little more enjoyable. As for the toad, I can look past a talking/fighting reptile.
Pyg and Toad leave clues for The Dark Knight and Katana to figure out who their next victim is, all the while continuing on with their “master plan.” I don’t want to ruin it for anyone who hasn’t watched the episode left, but it’s not a bad plan. And if you thought Bruce Wayne didn’t know EVERYTHING, well he proves that he does.
I feel this episode’s biggest strength is that we get to see the world’s greatest detective in action. Up to this point in the series, we’ve seen a good mix of action and detective work, with more focus on the latter here. Batman is trying to teach his sidekick, Katana, to trust her INSTINCTS (nice huh?), and prepare her for the dangerous world he lives in. I particularly enjoyed his lesson at the restaurant they were at in the beginning, (“When do you turn it off?” “I don’t.”).
The only flaw (albeit minor) for this show thus far is Katana. I prefer a solo Batman, and if he needs a sidekick then bring in Dick Grayson. I think the creative team handles her well, and she doesn’t outshine the Batman at all, but I can’t seem to feel fully for the character. Just a small observation that I can easily overlook.
“Instincts” knocks it out of the park, as this show has so early on in its series, and I can’t wait to see what we’re getting next.
But hey, I bet Bruce Wayne knows.