Chill of the Night!

Last updated
"Chill of the Night!"
Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode
Chill of the Night!.jpg
The episode's title card
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 11
Directed byMichael Chang
Written by Paul Dini
Production code211
Original air dateApril 9, 2010 (2010-04-09)
Episode chronology
← Previous
"The Power of Shazam!"		Next →
"Gorillas in Our Midst!"
List of episodes

"Chill of the Night!" is episode 37 of Batman: The Brave and the Bold . The plot follows Batman as he comes closer to confronting Joe Chill, the man who killed his parents. Unbeknownst to him, his decision on how to handle Chill will not only determine the criminal's fate but his own. This episode is also featured as an extra on the "DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection" animated DVD feature. This has been listed as one of Bruce Timm's favorite episodes.

Contents

Background

The episode is a re-telling of Batman's origin story. Paul Dini, writer of many of the scripts for Batman: The Animated Series , wrote the script for this episode. Michael Chang directed the episode. The episode first aired on April 9, 2010. People who voiced characters in Batman: The Animated Series and who acted in the 1960s Batman television series returned to voice characters in this episode: Kevin Conroy (the voice of Batman) voices the Phantom Stranger, Mark Hamill (the voice of the Joker) voices Spectre, [1] Richard Moll (the voice of Two-Face) voices Lew Moxon, [2] Adam West (the actor that played Batman in the 1960s Batman television series and later voiced the Gray Ghost) voices Thomas Wayne, Julie Newmar (the actress that played Catwoman in the 1960s Batman television series) voices Martha Wayne, [1] and Jennifer Hale also reprises her role of Zatanna from Justice League Unlimited (which was in continuity with Batman: The Animated Series). There are more scenes that are in shadows than in previous episodes, and Batman's costume is noticeably darker. The episode has images and sequences that are a homage to Batman: The Animated Series. The comic book limited series Untold Legend of the Batman is the basis for this episode. [2] Before the episode aired, Scott Thill of Wired said that this episode promises a return to Batman's murderous darkness. [3] In a video interview about this episode for Comic Book Movie, producer Michael Jelenic said that Paul Dini will be working on a third episode (the first one featured Bat-Mite).[ citation needed ]

Plot summary

Adhering to its customary format, the show opens with a teaser involving an escapade unrelated to the main episode. The criminal magician Abra Kadabra attempts to steal artifacts of famous stage magicians from a museum, only to be thwarted by Batman and Zatanna.

The main story begins with the murder of Thomas Wayne and his wife Martha, while their young son Bruce looks on in horror. That night, Bruce tearfully swears to avenge his parents' deaths by spending the rest of his life battling crime. As he grows up, he studies criminology and martial arts, eventually becoming Batman. In the present day, The Spectre and The Phantom Stranger debate what Batman will do once he confronts his parents' murderer, which he will do on this night. They eventually wager on it: Phantom Stranger wagers that if Batman upholds justice, he is free to live his life the way he always has. On the other hand, Spectre wagers that if Batman gives in to vengeance, he himself will become like Spectre.

That evening, Batman (disguised as a priest) tries to learn the name of the killer from Lew Moxon, a dying gangster who ordered the hit on the Waynes. Moxon expresses his regret at making their son an orphan as he only meant to have Thomas killed and not Martha. In his last few seconds, Moxon manages to say "some guy named... chill" before dying. Batman then heads to a bar to interrogate other criminals for further information, but they claim to know nothing. After Batman threatens to kill a man he is interrogating, the Phantom Stranger restrains him, taking him back to a charity costume party that his parents attended, revealing the reason for Batman's costume as being based on young Bruce's subconscious memory of his father's "Bat-man" costume. For a joyful moment, Batman is reunited with his parents. The gala is interrupted by thugs led by Moxon who show up to rob the party. Batman and Thomas fight together against the gang, managing to capture Moxon. One of the other thugs, who Batman recognizes as the killer, holds Martha hostage only to be rescued by Batman and Thomas. Batman races after the escaping thug, only for the Spectre to appear before him. He asks what Batman will do once he identifies his parents' killer. Batman has no easy answer. Spectre then shows Batman a meeting between Moxon and the other man at Blackgate Penitentiary. The man, who Moxon calls "Chill", offers to "make the Waynes suffer" for Moxon in retaliation for their interference. Moxon casually agrees, much to Batman's disgust. Batman realizes that the dying Moxon had identified the killer to him - "Chill", and vows that "This ends before dawn".

Returned by Spectre to the Batcave, Batman uncovers that Joe Chill now sells exotic weapons to supervillains. Batman interrupts that night's sale, fighting off the assembled villains while focusing on his true target: Chill. Batman corners Chill in an office, disarming him and revealing that he is the son of Thomas Wayne, unmasking himself as Bruce Wayne onscreen for the first time in the series. Bruce then beats him and now has Chill at his mercy, as the Phantom Stranger and Spectre each appear to persuade him, respectively, to uphold justice or exact vengeance. While the Phantom Stranger says that Chill is beaten, Spectre points out that "if this man lives, Batman dies". After a moment, Bruce responds by saying "Batman may die, but Bruce Wayne? Never" and lets Chill go. Panicked, Joe Chill begs the villains for protection against Batman, revealing that he is indirectly responsible for the hero's existence by killing his parents (without mentioning who Batman really is). However, the villains turn on him for creating the vigilante that has always stopped them, resulting in a brawl that accidentally sets off the sonic laser Chill was trying to sell them earlier. The weapon's beam sends the ceiling crashing down on Chill, killing him as the other villains flee. The Stranger says that Batman made the proper choice and that fate ultimately overtook Chill. He then mentions how convenient it was that Chill just happened to be under the collapsing ceiling at just the right moment. The Spectre only smiles and says "I wouldn't know anything about that".

The episode ends with Bruce enshrining his father's bat costume within the Batcave and declaring "Case... closed". He then turns around and walks away.

Reception

The episode received mostly positive reviews and is often regarded as the show's best episode. Joe Oesterle, of Mania, said that this episode ranks among the best of The Brave and the Bold, proving this show is as capable of presenting more than one version of Batman. [1] Dan Phillips, of IGN, said that this episode is the best in the series. [2] The founder of Batman-On-Film praised the episode for its cast. [4]

Voice cast

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spectre (DC Comics character)</span> Comic book character

The Spectre is the name of several antiheroes who appear in American comic books published by DC Comics. The original version first appeared in More Fun Comics #52. The character was created by Jerry Siegel and Bernard Baily although some sources attribute creator credit solely to Siegel, limiting Baily to the artist assigned to the feature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zatanna</span> DC Comics superhero

Zatanna Zatara, commonly known mononymously as Zatanna, is a fictional magician appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Gardner Fox and Murphy Anderson, and first appeared in Hawkman #4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alfred Pennyworth</span> Fictional character throughout the DC Universe

Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth, originally Alfred Beagle and commonly known simply as Alfred, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, most commonly in association with the superhero Batman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zatara</span> DC Comics character

Giovanni "John" Zatara, simply called Zatara, is a fictional magician and superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938 during the Golden Age of Comic Books, making him one of DC Comics' oldest characters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Aparo</span> American comic book artist (1932–2005)

James N. Aparo was an American comic book artist, best known for his DC Comics work from the late 1960s through the 1990s, including on the characters Batman, Aquaman, and the Spectre, along with famous stories such as "A Death in the Family" and "KnightFall".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phantom Stranger</span> Fictional comic book character

The Phantom Stranger is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, of unspecified paranormal origins, who battles mysterious and occult forces, sometimes under their Vertigo imprint. The character first appeared in an eponymous comics anthology published in August/September 1952.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Owlman (character)</span> Fictional supervillain in DC comics

Owlman is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. A supervillainous alternate-universe counterpart of Bruce Wayne / Batman, he is depicted as the adult version of Wayne's deceased older brother, who in most iterations dies as a child, before Bruce is born. In The New 52, the primary continuity Owlman, originally depicted as the asylum-bound Boomerang Killer, is retroactively revealed to be still alive, stolen from his parents as a child, and working in the service of the Court of Owls under the name Lincoln March.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Chill</span> Comics character

Joe Chill is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with the superhero Batman. Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #33.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Wayne</span> Comics character

Thomas Alan Wayne, M.D. is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is the father of Bruce Wayne (Batman), and husband of Martha Wayne as well as the paternal grandfather of Damian Wayne. Wayne was introduced in Detective Comics #33, the first exposition of Batman's origin story. A gifted surgeon and philanthropist to Gotham City, Wayne inherited the Wayne family fortune after Patrick Wayne. When Wayne and his wife are murdered in a street mugging, Bruce is inspired to fight crime in Gotham as the vigilante Batman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martha Wayne</span> Fictional character, mother of Bruce Wayne (Batman)

Martha Wayne is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She is the mother of Bruce Wayne (Batman), and wife of Dr. Thomas Wayne as well as the paternal grandmother of Damian Wayne, the fifth Robin. After she and her husband are murdered in a street robbery, her orphaned son is inspired to fight crime by adopting the vigilante identity of the Batman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robin in other media</span> Superhero Robin in non-comicbook media

In addition to DC Comics books, the superhero Robin also appears in other media, such as films, television and radio. Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Damian Wayne are examples of the characters who use the name Robin.

Zatanna (<i>Batman: The Animated Series</i>) 54th episode of the 1st season of Batman: The Animated Series

"Zatanna" is the 54th episode from Batman: The Animated Series. It first aired on February 2, 1993, and was written by Paul Dini and directed by Dan Riba and Dick Sebast. The episode features the first appearance of regular DC Comics character Zatanna in the DC Animated Universe.

<i>The Untold Legend of the Batman</i>

The Untold Legend of the Batman is a three-issue Batman comic book miniseries published by DC Comics in 1980. It was written by Len Wein. The first issue was penciled by John Byrne and inked by Jim Aparo. The second and third issues were drawn entirely by Aparo. José Luis García-López drew the covers for the entire series. The primary plot elements of the story are retellings of the origins of several Batman characters. It is the second miniseries published by DC Comics as well as the first starring Batman.

Lewis "Lew" Moxon is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is most famous for hiring Joe Chill to murder young Bruce Wayne's parents in early versions of Batman's origin story, thus making him indirectly responsible for Batman's existence.

<i>Superman: Speeding Bullets</i>

Superman: Speeding Bullets is a DC Comics Elseworlds prestige format one-shot comic book published in 1993. It is written by J.M. DeMatteis and features the artwork of Eduardo Barreto. The comic book is based on the concept of an amalgamation of Superman and Batman.

<i>Batman: The Brave and the Bold</i> American animated television series (2008–2011)

Batman: The Brave and the Bold is an American animated television series based in part on the DC Comics series The Brave and the Bold which features two or more superheroes coming together to solve a crime or foil a super villain. As the title suggests, the series focuses on Batman's regular "team-ups" with various heroes similar to the most well-known version of the original comic book series. This version has a much lighter and simpler, often comic feel, targeting younger viewers more than the character's other series. The series premiered on November 14, 2008, on Cartoon Network in the United States, and ended on November 18, 2011. It also aired in Canada on Teletoon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Origin of Batman</span> Events leading Bruce Wayne to become Batman

The origin of Batman depicts the events that cause a young Bruce Wayne to become Batman. The core event has remained fairly unchanged, but the aftermath and Bruce's journey to become Batman were not detailed until later years. The story first appeared in Detective Comics #33, and was retold in graphic novels such as Batman: Year One.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Oesterle, Joe (2010-04-11). "BRAVE & THE BOLD - "Chill of the Night" Review". Mania. Archived from the original on 2010-06-13. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
  2. 1 2 3 Phillips, Dan (2010-04-14). "Batman: The Brave and the Bold: "Chill of the Night" Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 2012-11-04. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
  3. ↑ Thill, Scott (2010-03-26). "Brave and the Bold Returns With Multiversal Batmans". Wired. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
  4. ↑ "Chill of the Night!". Batman-On-Film. Archived from the original on 2010-04-13. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.