Mark's Epic Blog of Randomness

 By Mark Rodriguez The Batman cartoon series had several seasons back in 2004, and while the first season had the Caped Crusader go solo, later seasons would bring in Batgirl and Robin. Due to Robin being popular in the Teen Titans cartoon show, and to avoid confusion, this time around Batgirl becomes Batman's sidekick in the second season.  In the TV show, Barbara was friends with Pamela and due to a series of circumstances, Pamela would become Poison Ivy and Barbara would become Batgirl. As you can tell from the title, issue 18 brings Batgirl into the comic book series, so let's take a look at the comic debut of this version of the character.  "The Greenhouse Effect" opens with Commissioner Gordon calling his daughter Barbara and trying to find out where she is that late at night. Barbara said she needed a break from studying and went out for a walk. Actually, Barbara is dressed as Batgirl and staking out some trouble-makers that are breaking into washing machines ...

 By Mark Rodriguez The Riddler is another classic foe that got a radical makeover in The Batman 2004 cartoon series. This time he has a look that reminds me of Marilyn Manson and is also voiced by none other than Robert Englund, so he now has an extra creepy vibe to go along with this puzzles and riddles. Let's see what he's up to in this issue.  "A Question of Identity" opens with Chief Rojas asking Ellen Yin about the spotlight in the sky with the words saying 'Why was the baseball player arrested?'. Ellen says it's a challenge from The Riddler. Rojas says that's impossible since he's locked up in Arkham. He just then gets a call saying that there was an escape in Arkham. Rojas slams his fist on the desk and says he hates Mondays. Rojas says if The Riddler is running around then Batman will be on his tail. Yin looks out the window and says that Batman is already on his tail as he is soaring through the sky in his Bat-Glider. Alfred radios Batman ...

 By Mark Rodriguez The Joker was quite a character in The Batman 2004 cartoon series. He was insane and silly but still dangerous and relied a lot more on his laughing gas than in other animated incarnations. He was the first super villain this version of Batman faced in his first year as a crimefighter. Let's see what crazy hi-jinx he's up to now. "Hit and Run" opens with Batman telling a random jewel thieve he just defeated and tied up that the police will be along shortly to take him away. Batman is expecting the Batmobile to arrive, but it drives past him with the Joker driving it! Batman runs after it, not believing that the Joker somehow stole his car. He pulls out a remote but the overrides aren't responding. Batman pulls out his grappling gun and takes to the high ground.  Batman radios Alfred and tells him to send the Batcycle to Sixth and Karlo street. Alfred says he sees the Batmobile a block of him and the autopilot is off so he asks who's driving ...

 By Mark Rodriguez The Batman was the first new Batman cartoon to show a different incarnation of the Dark Knight that wasn't tied to The Animated Series and Justice League. I'm not sure how beloved it was when it first came out, but I remember it took a lot of flak because it was different from the DCAU shows. It also came out at an odd time when they couldn't use Robin since he was associated with the Teen Titans cartoon, and they also couldn't use Rahs Al Ghul, Scarecrow and Two-Face since they were in the Nolan movies. Joker got a pass cause he's the Joker. The show inspired a comic book series I didn't know existed and I managed to grab a handful of copies at the mall, so let's check them out one by one. Since I've binge watched the show a few years go, I'll add extra context on this version of the characters when needed. "Sands of Time" opens with Clayface burying Batman and Catwoman in clay as they fight on a penthouse rooftop. Batma...