Line #17 Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE18BewareTheGrayGhost


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4	The episode begins with an episode of ''The Gray Ghost'', a television series Bruce watched as a boy. In this particular episode ("The MadBomber") a series of bombings rock the city, with a ransom of a million dollars demanded to prevent future attacks.
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6	Cut to present day Gotham, where a series of bombings rock the city, with a ransom of a million dollars demanded to prevent future attacks. Batman realizes that the bombings are the same as the ones in ''The Gray Ghost'', but since he cannot remember exactly how they happened (as he fell asleep before the episode was over), he begins to investigate what the connection is.
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8	His attempts to locate the old episode fails, as he learns the studio behind it burned down in a fire that also destroyed the entire ''Gray Ghost'' archive. He instead tracks down the show's main actor, Simon Trent, who is now a broke recluse who cannot find work since the role typecast him for life. In fact, he's just had to sell off almost all his remaining ''Gray Ghost'' memorabilia to toy collector Ted Dymer just to pay the rent.
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10	Batman buys the merchandise and returns it to Trent's apartment as a goodwill gesture, along with a note to meet. When Trent realizes it's the ''Dark Knight'' looking for him, he's understandably nervous, but agrees. No sooner do they meet than another bombing strikes Gotham, with Trent taking the opportunity to flee. Batman is not deterred, however, and waits for Trent at his apartment. Angry at being stalked, Trent threatens to call the police, but Batman believes Trent knows something about the bombings and convinces him to help. Trent reveals he has film reels of ''all'' of the old show episodes and reluctantly gives "The Mad Bomber" to Batman, before telling him to leave him alone.
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12	Bruce watches the film Trent gave him, with fond memories of watching ''The Gray Ghost'' with his father. Watching the "Mad Bomber" episode, he discovers toy RC cars delivered the bombs, something Bruce finds unbelievable. Nonetheless, Batman calls Commissioner Gordon with the information, who positions police and SWAT outside Gotham Library, the next bomb target.
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14	Sure enough, the toy cars appear. The first one is sniped. Batman takes out the second with a flamethrower, but the third escapes. Batman chases it down but finds it was only a decoy. More bomb-cars are sent after Batman, but someone drops a rope for him to escape: it's Simon Trent, dressed as the Gray Ghost. Batman shows him the toy car and asks for his help in investigating. Intrigued, Trent agrees.
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16	Trent is taken to the Batcave, which leaves him in awe, as it is modeled after the Gray Ghost's lair. Batman had in fact used him as an influence, and shows Trent the memorabilia he has collected in a shrine. The computer picks up fingerprints on the toy car belonging to Simon Trent, but he denies being involved. Under interrogation he realizes that Ted Dymer, to whom he'd sold some of his toy cars earlier, must be the Mad Bomber.
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18	Batman confronts the collector. He reveals he turned to crime to fund his toy collecting, and sets more bombs after Batman. Trent smashes through a window and knocks Dymer into a bookshelf, which causes the toy shop to catch fire and explode. Batman saves him, before he breaks down in front of Batman and Trent over losing his precious toys.
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20	When the incident hits the papers, the Gray Ghost is hailed as a hero for assisting Batman in capturing the Mad Bomber. Trent is filled with new purpose at his revitalized image; he also hands over his film reels of ''The Gray Ghost'' to be published to video, restoring his income and career. At a later signing event, Bruce asks Trent for his autograph and hints that he is really Batman.
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22	----
23	!! Tropes in this episode include:
24	* AdamWesting: Creator/AdamWest plays a washed-up actor who can't get any decent work because everyone associates him with his role as the superhero (or rather proto-hero) The Gray Ghost. Turns out that Bats is a huge Gray Ghost fanboy and it inspired his motif and operations (taking the place of Zorro and The Shadow). Incidentally, this portrayal was [[PlayedForDrama much more sympathetic and slightly less funny than normal]] simply because it was the show's way of saying "if [[Series/Batman1966 that cheesy superhero show]] didn't exist, ''this'' show wouldn't exist." This is even hinted in-universe as his assistance of Batman led to the Gray Ghost becoming popular once more (with a movie even being seen in the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' timeframe), which mirrors how the Batman revival launched by Creator/TimBurton and Creator/BruceTimm brought renewed attention to West and the '60s show.
25	** Supposedly, when he was done with the episode, Creator/PaulDini and Creator/BruceTimm handed Adam (instead of scale wage) a $25,000 check and the original Batman costume -- which Paul bought for an "undisclosed sum" at an auction.
26	** Also of note - according to WordOfGod, if they couldn't get West to voice the part, that episode would have been scrapped.
27	* AllForNothing: Invoked and averted. Simon Trent believes that playing the Gray Ghost ruined his career prospects, and his life, until he learns that he inspired ''the Batman''.
28	-->'''Trent''': So it wasn't all for nothing...
29	* AscendedFanboy: As a kid Batman was a big ''Gray Ghost'' fan. He was strongly influenced by the show and the character when he created his Dark Knight persona, right down to modeling the Batcave after the Gray Ghost lair. Inside the Batcave is even a room of all [[NotSoAboveItAll HIS Grey Ghost collection]].
30	* AuthorAvatar: Ted Dymer is visually based on and voiced by series producer Creator/BruceTimm. The video store clerk resembles Creator/PaulDini, who was quite heavy at the time (it is said he was inspired to lose weight after seeing himself caricatured as such on ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures'').
31	* BadassLongcoat: The Gray Ghost costume includes a trench coat, along with [[CoatHatMask goggles and a fedora]].
32	* BecomingTheMask: Trent becomes the Gray Ghost for real near the end of the episode. Batman is thrilled.
33	* BeneathSuspicion: The HiddenVillain MadBomber is [[ChekhovsGunman the young toy collector]] that bought Simon Trent's ''Gray Ghost'' memorabilia earlier in the episode. When Simon Trent had his EurekaMoment, he cannot believe it:
34	-->'''Simon Trent:''' But I'm not the Mad Bomber, Batman. I'm not! I sold my ''Gray Ghost'' cars months ago to pay for my... ''No, it can't be him.''
35	* BrokenPedestal: The Gray Ghost was initially just a character Trent played on an old television show. Once Batman seeks Trent's assistance with a case, he finds a tired old man who barely wants to acknowledge ever having been the Gray Ghost for all the misery it gave him, and only reluctantly provides the tape of the Mad Bomber episode.
36	** RebuiltPedestal: ...only to swing into action once Batmans words inspires him, donning the Gray Ghost costume for real, something he hadn't done even in his glory days. Ironically, he can almost keep up with Batman himself, despite the age difference. It almost re-breaks when all evidence seems to point towards Simon being the Mad Bomber until Simon's EurekaMoment as to who the ''real'' Bomber is..
37	* ButIPlayOneOnTV: An in-universe example: Simon Trent played a Batman-like superhero named the Gray Ghost in an immensely popular TV show which little Bruce was a big fan of. Decades later, Trent is now facing poverty partly because he cannot get any roles, because [[IAmNotSpock everyone still thinks of him as the Gray Ghost]]. Then Batman comes along on a case and ropes him in to assist him. Much to his own surprise, Trent makes a passable superhero (and more importantly, learns that the Big Badass Batman was primarily ''inspired'' by his portrayal of one). A fairly meta example, when you consider the actor voicing Trent is none other than Creator/AdamWest, who gained a new career with AdamWesting as well as attending conventions to meet with his fans.
38	* CanonForeigner: Both The Grey Ghost character and the MadBomber villain are original to the show, while The Grey Ghost has earned [[CanonImmigrant some references in other Batman media]].
39	* CaptainErsatz:
40	** In prior canon Batman was inspired by Franchise/{{Zorro}}, as he saw ''Film/TheMarkOfZorro1920'' the night his parents were murdered. The Gray Ghost is a fictional pulp hero taking his place as both an InUniverse movie character and as Batman's inspiration, with his motif inspired by Radio/TheShadow. In Real Life both Zorro and The Shadow were inspirations for Batman.
41	** The Gray Ghost is also a CaptainErsatz of early DC pulp-hero the Crimson Avenger, who wore a Shadow-like costume. Unfortunately, Batman supplanted him a year or so after his debut. Crimson Avenger would later make a few appearances in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited''.
42	* CassandraTruth: Simon's agent Frankie tells him to hang in there as some work will turn up eventually. Turns out he's right, although not in a way either of them anticipated.
43	* CastingGag: Simon Trent's character the Gray Ghost is based on Creator/AdamWest's role as [[Series/Batman1966 the campy Batman from the '60s TV series]].
44	* CoolOldGuy: Simon Trent, who in turn is voiced by real life Cool Old Guy Creator/AdamWest.
45	* CompositeCharacter: The Gray Ghost's entire concept is based on two heroes. The first is the 1966 version of [[Series/Batman1966 Batman]] from being played by a washed-up actor that is best known for one role, and from Radio/TheShadow that inspired the concept of Batman.
46	* CrackIsCheaper: An in-universe example--Ted Dymer turned to crime to finance his toy-collecting habit.
47	* CutLexLuthorACheck: If the Mad Bomber developed the remote control technology used to direct the toy cars himself, he probably could have made a legal fortune selling it to a company like Wayne Enterprises or [=LexCorp=] and financed his toy collection that way.
48	* DarkerAndEdgier: InUniverse: Simon Trent/the Gray Ghost, who is not only less concerned with criminals' welfare than Batman, but is darker than Creator/AdamWest's portrayal of Batman.
49	* DeadlyRemoteControlToy: A terrorist called [[MadBomber 'The Mad Bomber']] uses remote control cars to deliver explosive charges powerful enough to demolish buildings.
50	* DespairEventHorizon: Trent selling the actual Gray Ghost costume for a pittance, knowing it's the last time he'll be able to pay his rent at all. Of course, then Bruce Wayne steps in...
51	* TheDogWasTheMastermind: The HiddenVillain MadBomber is [[ChekhovsGunman the young toy collector]] that bought Simon Trent's ''Gray Ghost'' memorabilia earlier in the episode.
52	-->'''Simon Trent:''' What did you find?\
53	'''Batman:''' Fingerprints on the toy car. And they belong to you, Simon Trent!\
54	'''Simon Trent:''' That's not possible.\
55	'''Batman:''' Your prints are on this car. You had the only copy of the show. The Mad Bomber followed the show step by step.\
56	'''Simon Trent:''' But I'm not the Mad Bomber, Batman. I'm not. I sold my ''Gray Ghost'' cars months ago to pay for my... ''[[BeneathSuspicion No, it can't be him.]]''
57	* EarlyBirdCameo: The below FreezeFrameBonus takes place two episodes before Hagen makes his [[Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE20FeatOfClayPart1 official debut]] in the series.
58	* EarnYourHappyEnding: For helping to stop the Mad Bomber, Trent is hailed as a hero and public interest in the Gray Ghost resurges. This results in the entire series being released on video, revitalizing his income and career. He's also content knowing that his role was an inspiration to Batman.
59	* EurekaMoment: Simon gets a couple of these:
60	** When Batman originally asks him to try and remember which ''Gray Ghost'' episode the bombings are based on, Simon can't because he made hundreds of shows that all blurred together. When he hears the screeching of the toy cars used to carry the bombs, it helps him remember the specific episode.
61	** He later realizes the toy collector is the Mad Bomber, before ''Batman'' no less.
62	* ExplainExplainOhCrap: After Batman accuses Simon of being the Mad Bomber since his fingerprints were on a toy car used in the recent bombings and he had the only copy of the episode which inspired the attacks, Simon defensively explains to Batman that he sold his toy cars to pay his rent, then realises who's actually the Mad Bomber.
63	* EvilCounterpart: The Mad Bomber is this to Batman. Like Batman, he's a Gray Ghost fanboy who took inspiration from the TV show. Unfortunately, while Batman was driven to follow the Ghost's example and protect people, the Bomber was inspired to commit crimes.
64	* FreezeFrameBonus: At the end of the episode, look at the top of the blown-up ''People'' magazine cover when they pan up to show it clearly, and you'll see "Matt Hagen: Man of a Thousand Faces" across the top above the People logo. Counts as {{Foreshadowing}} as Hagen would be introduced two episodes later in the "Feat of Clay" two-parter.
65	* HellIsThatNoise: The episode opens with a grating buzzing sound right before a building explodes. The buzzing is disturbing on its own, and doesn't get any better when it's revealed to be coming from a series of radio-controlled cars loaded with munitions-grade explosives.
66	* {{Homage}}: The plot device of remote-controlled toy car bombs comes from ''Film/TheDeadPool''.
67	* InkSuitActor: The toy collector-cum-Mad Bomber is one for ''Creator/BruceTimm himself'', who also voices the character!
68	* JadedWashout: Simon Trent, the typecast actor who played the Gray Ghost, years after the show was cancelled.
69	* KarmicJackpot: Although Simon starts as a forgotten has-been, he's hailed as a hero for helping Batman stop the Mad Bomber. The ''Gray Ghost'' TV series becomes popular again, and he receives royalties from new merchandise and video releases. It's also implied that his career picks up again.
70	* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: InUniverse and {{Exaggerated}}, as ''every single'' known copy of the ''Gray Ghost'' series was destroyed when the studio that filmed the show burned down. It becomes {{Downplayed}} when it turns out Simon secretly has the truly remaining copies of the show as part of his collection. It then becomes {{Subverted}} when he has his copies published for video release.
71	* KillItWithFire: Batman bursts out of the Gotham Library with a flamethrower to destroy one of the car bombs.
72	* TheKnightsWhoSaySquee:
73	** Subdued, as is most of Batman's emotion usually, but Batman and Gray Ghost aren't this trope's image for nothing.
74	** Ted Dymer is thrilled when Trent brings him the last of his Gray Ghost merchandise, including his original costume. Like Batman, he's a huge Gray Ghost fan.
75	* LaserGuidedKarma: The Mad Bomber is undone not only by the hands of the Gray Ghost, the very man who he bought the merchandise from and whose show was the inspiration for his scheme, but his entire toy store is blown up by his own bombs.
76	* LoonyFan: Oddly enough, subverted; although Ted Dymer is something of a self-deprecating joke on behalf of Creator/BruceTimm and the rest of the creative team, and still enthusiastically buys Trent's old props despite low customer demand, he's willing to destroy the remaining cars in his scheme and sells the memorabilia he'd just bought to Batman when he wants to return it to Trent (presumably for a significant mark-up). Even despite being inspired by the old show and the toys themselves to re-enact the fictional Mad Bomber's scheme, his goal was never to bring the Gray Ghost out of "retirement" for a fight--he just needed money for his true love of toy collecting. In other words, he's much more loon than fan.
77	* MadBomber: Played straight. It is even the name of the villain.
78	* MeaningfulEcho: Invoked. When Trent visits the Batcave, Batman shows him his old Gray Ghost memorabilia and tells him "As a kid, I used to watch you with my father. The Gray Ghost was my hero". Later on, when Bruce meets Trent at the signing event, he says the same exact phrase, cluing Trent to his identity.
79	* MetaCasting: It is impossible to not see the parallels between Creator/AdamWest and Simon Trent/The Grey Ghost. Reportedly the episode would have been scrapped if West didn't agree to it, as the entire theme surrounded an actor struggling to stay relevant after being typecast while being able to find new purpose in seeing the influence that role brought to others. Creator/BruceTimm as the LoonyFan villain brings it full circle.
80	* MythologyGag: Batman says the Gray Ghost is the hero he aspired to be as a child. Sure enough, without Radio/TheShadow, Batman might not have existed, and without Creator/AdamWest he might never have become as popular as he is today.
81	* NeverTrustATitle: The title "Beware The Gray Ghost" makes it sound like the Ghost is the villain of the episode instead of a fictional TV character.
82	* OldSuperhero: Sort of. Trent is merely an old actor who played a superhero. Until he takes up the mantle of said hero for real.
83	* PetTheDog: As bad as he is, Ted gets a couple of these moments:
84	** He asks Simon if he's sure he wants to sell the original Gray Ghost costume for what Ted can pay for it.
85	** More generally, Ted's buying Simon's Gray Ghost merchandise despite it not selling seems to be the only thing keeping a roof over Simon's head.
86	* PoliceAreUseless: Inverted when Batman alerts Commissioner Gordon about the Mad Bomber's plan. Gordon sets up a police cordon and SWAT team at the Bomber's next target, and one of his snipers manages to destroy one of the bomb-equipped cars.
87	* ProductPlacement: At the end of the episode, we see a blowup of a cover of ''People'' magazine advertising the return of the Gray Ghost. ''People'' was co-owned with WB at the time by [=TimeWarner=] (before they sold off their print stuff in the early 2010s).
88	* PsychopathicManchild: When Batman ruins his attempts at blowing up the Gotham Library, Ted Dymer throws a tantrum more suited to a four-year old than a grown man, whacking his control panel with a Batman action figure. Ted also cries like a child when Batman and Trent destroy his toy collection. His obsession with collecting toys is childish and would be harmless, except for the fact that he's willing to commit mass property damage and potential murder to finance it.
89	* RageAgainstTheReflection: When Trent learns he's just been turned down for a role again, he smashes most of his ''Gray Ghost'' memorabilia collection in a rage, before collapsing in the corner of his apartment, [[TearJerker sobbing]].
90	* RedHerring: The show makes it look like Simon Trent, his agent or the video store manager are potential suspects.
91	* SecretKeeper: Simon Trent is implied to be one for Batman after Batman tells the Gray Ghost that he was his hero as a kid and then Bruce Wayne tells him the exact same thing at a book signing.
92	* ShoutOut:
93	** While the Gray Ghost is similar to Batman, his appearance and style is closer to Radio/TheShadow, one of Batman's chief influences at the time of his creation.
94	** The Ghost's theme music follows the same cadence as the theme from the WesternAnimation/SupermanTheatricalCartoons.
95	** The Mad Bomber's remote control toy car explosives are very similar to what was used in a scene in ''Film/TheDeadPool''. Like this episode, the film featured a mysterious villain who monitored the cars' movements when attacking the hero.
96	* StoppedReadingTooSoon: As a kid, Bruce had seen the episode "The Mad Bomber", so he was able to recognize the pattern of the Bomber's attacks almost immediately. Unfortunately, since he had fallen asleep before the ending, he didn't know ''how'' the Bomber was pulling it off. This required him to seek out Simon when he couldn't find any other copies of the episode.
97	* TemptingFate: The video store owner says he has the episodes of every TV show ever filmed, telling Bruce and Alfred to just name it. But when they say they want the Gray Ghost...
98	--> '''Video Store Clerk:''' Name something else.
99	* TheyLookJustLikeEveryoneElse: The Mad Bomber has the appearance of a harmless toy collector.
100	* {{Typecasting}}: In-Universe: Simon Trent was unable to get any parts since a lot of people (the ones who even remember) still see him as the Gray Ghost, to which he angrily {{lampshades}} to his agent after yet another failure to land a role that he's an actor who can do other parts. At the end of the episode, things are looking up for him when the missing series is now on video. (Later, a ''Gray Ghost'' movie marquee appears in the ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' episode [[Recap/JusticeLeagueUnlimitedS2E13Epilogue "Epilogue"]].)
101	* UnbuiltTrope: This episode is one of the first cases of Creator/AdamWest engaging in... well, AdamWesting. But unlike many later examples of him and other actors doing this, his character Simon Trent isn't just self-parody. He's a washed-up actor who's not happy that people only know him as the Gray Ghost, but who goes through a character arc where he comes to terms with his most iconic role and embraces it.
102	* TheUnmasking: When Batman shows Trent the ''Gray Ghost'' shrine he says, "As a kid, I used to watch you with my father. The Gray Ghost was my hero." He says the same thing as Bruce at an autograph signing, making Trent realize who he is.
103	* WritingAroundTrademarks: Completely inverted as the show depicts Simon Trent making the cover of ''People'' Magazine. There's no copyright violation because when the episode was produced, ''People'' was owned by Time-Warner, the company that also produced ''Batman: The Animated Series''.
104	* YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe: Bruce's reaction to the toy cars. He even says these exact words.

Context Recap / BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE18BewareTheGrayGhost