PhantomHeartless5
Since: Sep, 2012
01/17/2015 00:00:00
Okay, I was going to write a review of this story, but you pretty much said everything I was going to say.
I totally agree with this review. Sure, the show had its flaws, but it was still awesome. Particularly in the second half of the season. That's when it really got interesting. Overall, this was a show that should have never been canceled.
Way to go, Cartoon Network, you once again managed to waste a perfectly good show.
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Strong New Take on Batman
Beware the Batman might intimidate many by its lack of Robin, the characterization of Alfred, and unusual villains, but many of the other innovations it brings, like character and story arcs and a strong continuity, makes it an entertaining series on its own.
This series features a novice, flawed Batman, and it actually shows. We see him make mistakes and learning from them, as well as establishing a few relationships. The character development and dynamics between the characters are ever-growing, and the plots increasingly up the stakes and reach climatic showdowns. The Deathstroke arc, in particular, ends in an exciting three-parter. Many of the twists and turns in both the narrative and Batman mythos make the series unpredictable and different from other Batman shows. There's also clever foreshadowing here and there, such as the use of the news ticker to preview upcoming characters.
Despite the deviation from Batman lore, there are still some great nods to it as well as the larger DC universe, culminating in the creation of the Outsiders.
The voice acting is also well done, with Anthony Ruivivar giving us a more intellectual, analytic detective. Highlights include Kurtwood Smith as the cranky, but rational, James Gordon, Grey Delisle as the unstable Magpie, Wallace Langham hamming it up as Anarky, and Wade Williams giving an affable edge to Killer Croc. Even Christopher Mc Donald shows some notable range when his stock jerk take on Harvey Dent becomes a deranged maniac as Two-Face.
The series' biggest weakness is the background art style, which does tend to look bland and lifeless. Also, some unexplained plot points, like the fate of Jason Burr and Lady Shiva could've been better handled. Anarky's role in the series is bizarre, considering he didn't affect the plot in a major way despite his status as the Big Bad.
Beware the Batman is an excellent, fresh take on the Dark Knight that, like it's contemporaries Young Justice and Green Lantern, was cut too short in its life-span and had the potential to be truly extraordinary in future seasons.