Have you ever experienced that gratifying feeling when revisiting the media whether from your childhood or something more recent—that you once disliked or failed to appreciate, only to realize later you had missed many of the aspects that made it special? That’s the experience I had with Batman: The Animated Series (BTAS for short). As a kid, I didn’t quite understand what it was aiming for. I couldn’t grasp its noir influences or the personal conflicts woven throughout most episodes. It’s not that I hated it but compared to other superhero animated series I watched as a kid (e.g., Spectacular Spider-Man, Spider-Man TAS, The Batman, and Teen Titans), I found its action slow and sluggish, and I didn’t like the art style at all. However, that changed when I decided to give it another shot in my teens, which brings me to the discussion in this blog. My all-time favorite episode of BTAS is not one you might expect; despite my love for many episodes, my favorite is the character study in “I Am The Night,” written by Michael Reaves, who also penned classic episodes such as “A Bullet For Bullock” and “Batgirl Returns.”
The title of the episode refers to the fact that Gotham’s Batman has become the embodiment of the night. He’s evolved into a symbol that makes the “superstitious and cowardly lot” tremble in fear, yet the night also represents insecurity, darkness, and despair—emotions that Batman grapples within this installment. From the very beginning, we see a Batman who is different from his usual self—tired, full of despair, and nearly given up. This frustration stems from a sense of inadequacy that all of us have felt, even without wearing a mask. We’ve all experienced moments when everything we do seems pointless, and we feel that we have barely achieved anything. Batman captures this sentiment when he states, “A weary body can be dealt with, but a weary spirit is something else.” This feeling of inadequacy and purposelessness is draining, making us question whether there is any point in continuing. Alfred then gives Batman the roses he leaves at the crime scene of his parents’ tragic demise, serving as a reminder of why he continues his mission.
We also get a sense of what Batman has come to represent for Gotham City, we see him turning into a major tourist icon. Kids buy overpriced Batman merchandise much like in real life, wouldn’t you say? In one scene, we even see a troubled youth scamming someone out of their money and laughing off Batman after spotting his merchandise.
Next, Batman is at Crime Alley - a key location first seen in “Appointment in Crime Alley” with Leslie Thompkins, the only person besides Alfred Pennyworth and Dick Grayson who knows that Batman is actually Bruce Wayne. Here, we witness an engaging exchange between Leslie and Bruce about Batman’s longing for a normal life:
“Santayana says that those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.”
“He also said a fanatic is someone who redoubles his efforts while losing sight of his goal.” This dialogue signifies that Batman feels as though he has lost his purpose. The earlier subplot comes to a head when we see the troubled youth in, well, trouble. Batman helps him and brings him to Leslie to help him.
Meanwhile, the GCPD - led by Lt. Gordon and Bullock, is attempting to bust the criminal known as “The Jazzman,” though it turns out to be a setup. The bust eventually succeeds with The Jazzman getting caught, but Gordon is injured and taken to the hospital. Batman feels guilty for not arriving in time, and with Jim Gordon’s recovery uncertain, he begins to question whether he’s hurting more people than he’s saving. He departs after Bullock berates him; Bullock’s disdain for Batman makes him an easy target for criticism. Later, after Batman goes berserk in the Batcave, we see The Jazzman planning his revenge and escape, setting up the climax.
Days have passed since the incident, and Batman remains deeply distressed. Alfred is so worried that he even calls Dick Grayson. This episode effectively illustrates a point made in the comics of that era—Batman needs a Robin. Dick sees his mentor in distress and tries to calm him, yet Batman remains overwhelmed. During their exchange, an intriguing remark about Gordon is made:
“Jim Gordon's the same age my father would've been if he hadn't...” This suggests that Batman sees Jim Gordon as a father figure, which explains his distress over what has happened and his fear of losing more people close to him.
The Jazzman escapes from prison and sets out to kill Gordon. Still feeling depressed, Batman is uncertain whether he should intervene, but Dick Grayson encourages him never to give up despite the circumstances. This support pulls Batman back from the abyss, retorting to Robin, “No, Dick! This is my hunt,” as he heads out to stop The Jazzman.
The Jazzman reaches Gordon’s room, and a brief fight ensues. Just as he is about to shoot Gordon for good with Barbara even willing to take a bullet for her father, Batman hurls a batarang at the crucial moment, saving the commissioner while Harvey Bullock apprehends The Jazzman. After regaining consciousness, Jim Gordon tells Batman that he must keep fighting and never stop. Gordon even admits that he wishes he could be a hero like Batman, to which Batman replies that he already is one. Batman then sees the kid he encountered earlier in the episode, confirming that he has been helped and is now on the right track. With a renewed sense of purpose, Batman heads out into the night, and the episode cuts to credits.
Overall, I love this episode. I cherish the type of Batman stories that focus on his internal struggles rather than just action. The animation by the legendary animation studio Sunrise (of Cowboy Bebop and Code Geass fame) gives this story attention to details in the characters that they truly deserve and makes it my favorite episode. These are the episodes of BTAS I appreciate the most now, in my late teens and early adulthood, the ones that prioritize personal battles over endless action. We have all experienced moments when it seems there is no purpose in continuing our struggle. The feeling of disillusionment is grueling and challenging to overcome, but with the right people, family and friends—we can defeat our own demons, with a renewed sense of purpose.
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