BEWARE THE BATMAN “Secrest” Review


Beware the Batman aired it’s second episode yesterday. Did I enjoy it more than the premiere? YES! NOTE: This review will be spoiler free for plot reasons!

Let me say this: I did enjoy Beware the Batman‘s first episode, I just thought it wasn’t anything great either. But now this episode is what I’m talking about! We get some great writing, creepy moments that should be in a Batman show, a villain who isn’t bland, really good fight scenes that put Marvel cartoons to shame, great voice acting, and little moments for the fans!

In “Secrets“, Batman (Anthony Ruivivar) comes face-to-face with a villain named Magpie (Grey DeLisle). She really loves stealing “shiny” things. She also comes off as a nut, and Batman figures out why. It seems that there is some connection between her and these possibly illegal experiments that were done.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Gordon (Kurtwood Smith) is hot on Batman’s trail, firm in his belief that vigilantes are no better than other criminals…even if his daughter disagrees!

Where do I start? Well, the story is the high-light here. The episode weaves a psychological mystery plot that will keep you guessing. Magpie, unlike Pyg and Toad, is an actually complex, interesting villain who even causes sympathy without being sappy. And boy, she can fight.

The action scenes are very well done. People complaining that the CGI would lead to less fluid movements should bow their heads, because the fights here were amazing and exhilarating.

On the down side, I didn’t care much for Tatsu Yamashiro’s (Sumalee Montano) sub-plot. We all know that she’ll be Katana eventually, so the writers shouldn’t beat around the bush. And Alfred (J.B. Blanc) doesn’t get to do much in this episode.

I must give a shout-out to Grey DeLisle. Last year, she voiced Aya in Green Lantern in a stand-out performance, and here, she nails Magpie’s mood-swings. I hope she gets to reprise the role eventually.

Someone doesn’t like her new job…

But over-all, a really good episode. If Beware the Batman keeps this up, it’ll join Young Justice and Green Lantern in DC’s high-quality room!

Oh, and Tara Strong reprises her role of Barbara Gordon from the DCAU. Sweet.