Batman: The Animated Series- Read My Lips

 "Don't put words in my mouth!"

At last we get the Ventriloquist and Scarface, the early '90s' best contribution to Batman lore, and they're terrifically done. The animation really brings out the over-the-top look of Scarface and the contrast with the meek, nondescript Ventriloquist. the character is such fun, and it's hilarious to see the penny drop for Batman.

Yes, I know I'm always banging on about this, but this episode really leans into the '40s noir aesthetic of '40s suits, cars and tommy guns. The plot owes a little to the noir template too, with the nice little betrayal twist at the end, a prime example of how to perfectly plot a perfectly paced episode for twenty minutes.

The character of the Ventriloquist is fascinating, with his two genuinely independent personalities, with no one in the gang doubting that it's specifically Scarface who is the brains behind the outfit. And he really is.

One of the best recent episodes, really evoking those good old issues by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle which, for a while, this usual reader of Marvel titles would avidly collect. 

Batman: The Animated Series- Harley and Ivy

 "You're just one big, forgiving doormat, aren't you?"

Another superb episode here, from the opening scenes with the very Tim Burton-esque Gotham cityscape evoking his two Batman films to the highly satisfying ending with Officer Montoya being the one to apprehend Poison Ivy and Harlequin. But, despite the highly 1960s-style deathtrap and the very Thelma and Louise crime wave (much of it shown via newspaper headlines in the use of a splendid old trope). this episode succeeds because of character.

It's fun seeing the two ladies capering together, especially sticking it to the Patriarchy in various ways. But this episode is fascinating as the first to truly depict the relationship between Harley and the Joker as it would later be understood- abusive, co-dependent, complex. Harlequin knows the Joker is abusing her but she misses him when he's not there, and needs him. It's complex, tragic, nuanced, and depicted so very well.

It's a Batman-lite episode, yes, but that's ok. This series is very strongly about its ensemble cast. Batman standing back gives us a chance to see some real depth to poor Harlequin in what is yet another superb episode.