Why Static Shock Still Matters 25 Years Later | Static Shock @SerumLake

Serum Lake On 23rd September 2000, Virgil Hawkins (better known as Static) zapped onto our screens and became one of the first African American teenage superheroes to headline his own mainstream cartoon.

Static Shock wasn’t just about battles and superpowers; it explored real-life issues like bullying, systemic injustice, and the pressures of growing up, all while staying fun, relatable, and vibrant.

Let's commemorate 25 years of Static Shock, looking at how the show blended superhero action with meaningful stories, introduced diverse characters, and inspired a generation. From the Bang Babies and their struggles to the show’s crossovers with the DC Animated Universe, we examine why Static’s story still resonates.

Whether you grew up watching him or are discovering him for the first time, join me as we explore why Static Hawkins still matters today.

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And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about how shocking Batman Beyond could be: youtube.com/watch?v=4nNkKhwe_vQ&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr5ZJky_vn3JVk5QU-3TcprM&index=2

Chapters:
0:00 25 Years Ago...
0:56 Child-friendly, But Hard-hitting
2:35 The Metaphors Of The Bang Babies
5:11 Creative Restrictions
6:02 The DCAU Crossover Episodes
8:00 A Window Into Other Cultures
9:23 Self-Promotion
10:15 Next Time

#StaticSock #Staticshock25 #milestonemedia #static #dcau

updated 1 year ago

Why Static Shock Still Matters 25 Years Later | Static Shock

Serum Lake 2025-09-13 | On 23rd September 2000, Virgil Hawkins (better known as Static) zapped onto our screens and became one of the first African American teenage superheroes to headline his own mainstream cartoon.

Static Shock wasn’t just about battles and superpowers; it explored real-life issues like bullying, systemic injustice, and the pressures of growing up, all while staying fun, relatable, and vibrant.

Let's commemorate 25 years of Static Shock, looking at how the show blended superhero action with meaningful stories, introduced diverse characters, and inspired a generation. From the Bang Babies and their struggles to the show’s crossovers with the DC Animated Universe, we examine why Static’s story still resonates.

Whether you grew up watching him or are discovering him for the first time, join me as we explore why Static Hawkins still matters today.

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👍 If you liked the video don't forget to like, share, and leave a comment!
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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about how shocking Batman Beyond could be: youtube.com/watch?v=4nNkKhwe_vQ&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr5ZJky_vn3JVk5QU-3TcprM&index=2

Chapters:
0:00 25 Years Ago...
0:56 Child-friendly, But Hard-hitting
2:35 The Metaphors Of The Bang Babies
5:11 Creative Restrictions
6:02 The DCAU Crossover Episodes
8:00 A Window Into Other Cultures
9:23 Self-Promotion
10:15 Next Time

#StaticSock #Staticshock25 #milestonemedia #static #dcau

Deathstroke Envied Batman | Beware The Batman

Serum Lake 2025-09-22 | Deathstroke, also known as Slade Wilson, is one of DC Comics’ most iconic villains. A master assassin, mercenary, and tactical genius. From The Judas Contract storyline in the comics to his unforgettable role as Slade in the 2003 Teen Titans cartoon, he has always been a dark reflection of the heroes he opposes.

But Beware the Batman gave us a unique twist on Deathstroke. This version didn’t just want to defeat the Dark Knight, he envied Batman. He was a lone wolf that had been rejected by his mentor, and he wanted revenge. This sets him apart from every other portrayal.

In this video, I break down Deathstroke’s history across DC Comics, his legacy in Teen Titans as Slade, and why his rivalry with Batman in Beware the Batman deserves more attention.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this one about The Batman's Killer Moth: youtube.com/watch?v=OwNm6K7jqeA&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7ONjsGkCMHzl8towLNBiW1&index=10

Chapters:
0:00 Deathstroke Is NOT A Batman Villain
0:50 The Comic Book Deathstroke
3:41 Teen Titans's Slade
6:51 Beware The Batman's Deathstroke
8:16 Deathstroke's Envy
10:08 The Lesson Deathstroke Taught Batman
11:03 How Deathstroke and Slade Are Alike
12:25 Self-Promotion
13:18 Next Time

#Deathstroke #Slade #BewareTheBatman #TeenTitans #DCcomics

Introducing Rogues Gallery | A Collection of Batman: The Animated Series Essays

Serum Lake 2025-09-20 | I’ve been working on something behind the scenes for a long time, and today I finally get to share it with you. This is a project I’ve poured my heart into, it's a new book of my video essays called Rogues' Gallery.

I'm proud to have worked with Batman: The Animated Series background designer and painter John Calmette on the cover, and to have a foreword written by BTAS Director Dan Riba.

Stay tuned for the official release date and preorder details in the coming weeks!

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

The Royal Flush Gangs Legacy Was A Burden | Batman Beyond

Serum Lake 2025-09-19 | “Heavy is the head that wears the crown.”

In Batman Beyond, that crown means very different things to Terry McGinnis and the Royal Flush Gang. For Terry, the mantle of Batman is a legacy he embraces, a path of sacrifice, growth, and purpose.

But for the Royal Flush Gang, their legacy is a curse. Their titles aren’t chosen, they’re inherited: King, Queen, Jack, Ten, and Ace, a dynasty of crime doomed to resentment, betrayal, and collapse.

From their comic book origins to their reinvention in the DCAU, the Royal Flush Gang have always been fascinating foils for Batman. In this video, I’ll explore their history across comics, Justice League, and Batman Beyond, and how their burdened inheritance contrasts with Terry’s chosen legacy as Gotham’s Dark Knight.

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And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about Ace from Batman Beyond?
youtube.com/watch?v=fzCuUpmpiX0&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr5ZJky_vn3JVk5QU-3TcprM&index=32

Chapters:
0:00 The Theme of Legacy
1:02 The Comic Book Royal Flush Gangs
2:25 The Super Friends' Royal Flush Gang
2:48 The First DCAU Royal Flush Gang
4:19 The Significance of Ace
5:28 Batman Beyond's Royal Flush Gang
6:43 Melanie Walker Rejects Her Legacy
8:08 The Walker Family's Downfall
10:18 Crushed By Their Own Legacy

#TheRoyalFlushGang #BatmanBeyond #Batman #DCAU

This Catwoman Played It Safe | The Batman (2004)

Serum Lake 2025-09-15 | Catwoman has always been one of Batman’s most enduring foes. From her earliest days as a jewel thief in the 1940s, Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt bringing her to life in the 60s, and Michelle Pfeiffer and Batman: The Animated Series giving her a modern edge. Of all of Batman’s foes, she has changed less than most.

When The Batman reintroduced her in 2004, it was with a sleek new look, big yellow goggles, and the same playful charm. But unlike the radical reinventions of The Joker, Riddler, and Clayface, this Catwoman played things safe. She flirted, she stole, she teased Batman at every turn and she always slipped away before the cuffs could close. But she didn't add anything.

Let’s talk about how The Batman’s Catwoman is a faithful adaptation, but little more than that.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about The Batman's version of Clayface: youtube.com/watch?v=eH1Lm0wRKgo&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7ONjsGkCMHzl8towLNBiW1&index=4

Chapters:
0:00 Everything Changes
0:31 The Comic Book Version of Catwoman
2:36 Catwoman in Batman: The Animated Series
3:52 Darwyn Cooke's Catwoman
4:40 The Cat And The Bad Episode
6:07 Catwoman's Rivalries
7:47 The Batman's Catwoman Played It Safe
8:48 Conclusion
9:42 Self-Promotion
10:33 Next Time

#TheBatman2004 #catwoman #batman #dccomics

The Crime Doctor Risked Everything for Family | Batman: The Animated SeriesFaithful

Serum Lake 2025-09-12 | Most Batman: The Animated Series villains are driven by obsession, madness, or revenge. But The Crime Doctor, Matthew Thorne, was different. He turned to crime out of love for his brother, Rupert Thorne, and paid the price for his loyalty.

In this video, I discuss the strange and tragic history of The Crime Doctor. From his Golden Age comic debut in the 1940s, through his reinvention in the Bronze Age, to his most emotional appearance in Batman: The Animated Series. Along the way, we’ll see how he went from a doctor secretly patching up criminals to a man manipulated by his own brother, and how his story highlights themes of family, loyalty, and redemption at the heart of Batman’s world.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about how Rupert Thorne was a substitute for The Mafia: youtube.com/watch?v=myoxClG-Gx8&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr6HylFT5ROjnWcAdLQEFSF1&index=30

Chapters:
0:00 The Tragedy of The Crime Doctor
0:38 The Comic Book Crime Doctors
3:51 The BTAS Version of The Crime Doctor
4:52 Rupert Thorne's Betrayal
5:56 The Parallels With Leslie Thompkins
7:12 A Very Touching Ending
8:03 Matthew Thorne's Redemption
9:26 Self-Promotion

#TheCrimeDoctor #batmantheanimatedseries #Batman #DCAU #BTAS

A Bold But Flawed Beginning | The Cat and The Claw | Batman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-09-08 | Batman: The Animated Series didn’t tiptoe onto TV in 1992, it pounced. But the first episode most audiences saw wasn’t On Leather Wings… it was The Cat and the Claw.

Why did the network choose this uneven two-parter as Batman’s big debut? What does it say about how they thought Batman should be sold to the world? And how does it actually highlight just how progressive this series was, putting Catwoman and Red Claw front and centre at a time when women rarely got that kind of spotlight in superhero cartoons?

In this video, I dig into:
Why The Cat and the Claw was picked over On Leather Wings
How the charity auction scene flipped gender dynamics on their head
Catwoman’s surprising role as a social justice crusader
Red Claw’s symbolic importance (even as a one-note villain)
And whether this “safe” debut was actually smarter than we give it credit for

It’s an episode full of action, romance, questionable explosions, and some surprisingly sharp social commentary.

Let’s talk about why The Cat and the Claw mattered more than you might think.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about of the best Joker episodes, The Laughing Fish? youtube.com/watch?v=rItOCtrh56s&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7HetGqAM5sOHD_8ZvO7sDv&index=42

Chapters:
0:00 Batman: The Animated Series' Premiere
0:58 Why Networks Chose The Cat and The Claw
2:43 The Feminist Message
5:06 What Red Claw Brings To The Table
7:32 Batman's Compassion
8:00 The Failings of Part II
9:17 Conclusion
10:34 Self-Promotion
11:24 Next Time

#batmantheanimatedseries #batman #catwoman #thecatandtheclaw #btas

Kalibak Was Darkseid’s Greatest Disappointment | Superman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-09-05 | Sons often spend their lives chasing their father’s approval, and for Kalibak, the son of Darkseid, that chase was endless. In the comics he was a brutal, destructive powerhouse. But in the DC Animated Universe, Kalibak became something more pathetic: a child trapped in a monster’s body, doomed never to hear the words “Good job” from his father.

In this video I’ll highlight Kalibak’s comic book origins, his rivalry with Orion, and how Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League reimagined him. From Jack Kirby’s New Gods to the DCAU’s pathetic portrayal, we’ll explore how one of Apokolips’ fiercest warriors became defined not by strength, but by disappointment.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about Darkseid's deceptive follower, Granny Goodness: youtube.com/watch?v=g_4thGl6rvA&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr4VdsJir0dd2ZTIQNM-l49o&index=14

Chapters:
0:00 The Tragedy of Kalibak
0:42 Kalibak's Comic Book Origins
3:20 How Superman: The Animated Series Adapted Kalibak
6:09 Kalibak Was Overlooked
7:46 Kalibak's Revenge
9:17 Conclusion

#Superman #NewGods #supermantheanimatedseries #Kalibak

Gothams Ultimate Criminal Mixtape: D.A.V.E. | The Batman (2004)

Serum Lake 2025-09-01 | 2004’s The Batman introduced one of the most bizarre and brilliant villains ever created: the Digitally Advanced Villain Emulator, also known as D.A.V.E. Built by Hugo Strange, this artificial intelligence was a mashup of Joker, Riddler, Penguin, Freeze, and Clayface, all rolled into one unstable mind, as Gotham’s Ultimate Criminal Mastermind.

D.A.V.E. wasn’t just another robot, he was Batman’s greatest hits album of evil, unpredictable, theatrical, and dangerously obsessed. From nearly exposing Bruce Wayne’s identity to turning the Batcave into his final stage,
D.A.V.E. is one of the strangest one and done villains in Dark Knight history.

In this video, I break down his creation, his showdown with Batman, his surprising return in the tie-in comics, and how he connects to the modern villain Failsafe.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about D.A.V.E.'s creator, Professor Hugo Strange: youtube.com/watch?v=sgccPJtK0ts&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7ONjsGkCMHzl8towLNBiW1&index=7

Chapters:
0:00 The Batman's Ultimate Villain
1:39 The Origin of D.A.V.E.
3:06 D.A.V.E. vs H.A.R.D.A.C.
4:32 The Crimes of D.A.V.E.
7:05 D.A.V.E.'s Return & Legacy
9:12 Conclusion
9:53 Self-Promotion
10:43 Next Time

#thebatman2004 #DAVE #Hugostrange #Batman

The Night Superman Became Batman | Knight Time | Superman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-08-29 | Sequels often struggle to match the magic of the original, but Knight Time, the second Batman and Superman team-up in Superman: The Animated Series, proves a worthy follow-up. This episode shakes up expectations by shifting the spotlight, blending classic comic nods with fresh character dynamics and thrilling action.

Join me as I talk about how Knight Time deepens the DCAU, showcasing Superman stepping into Batman’s world in a way that’s equal parts fun and compelling.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about how Brainiac was Superman's most personal foe: youtube.com/watch?v=P9eU5Yay-Ac&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr4VdsJir0dd2ZTIQNM-l49o&index=6

Chapters:
0:00 Second Time's The Charm?
0:50 Gotham City Without Batman
1:35 A Fresh Crossover Episode
3:32 Superman Cosplays As Batman
4:28 Brainiac's Role
7:36 Is Knight Time Better Than World's Finest?
9:23 Self-Promotion
10:13 Next Time

#Supermantheanimatedseries #knighttime #batmantheanimatedseries #thenewbatmanadventures #btas #tnba #dcau #stas

Lady Shiva Shouldve Been More | Beware The Batman

Serum Lake 2025-08-25 | Lady Shiva could have been the final boss of Beware the Batman: a cold, calculating martial artist with the League of Shadows at her back. But somewhere between her first appearance and the series’ end, she faded into the background.

In this video, I trace how one of DC’s deadliest women went from a lurking threat to a missed opportunity, and what that says about the show's priorities.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about Beware The Batman's Ra's al Ghul? youtube.com/watch?v=Y1vtaNC6iJk&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7lVFhcTqvc9he3XHJEV22v&index=4

Chapters:
0:00 Who is Lady Shiva?
0:42 Lady Shiva's Comic Book Origins
2:36 Lady Shiva's Modern Origin
4:03 Beware The Batman's Lady Shiva
5:07 The Soul Taker Sword
6:46 What Happened To Lady Shiva?
8:05 A Less Complex Character
9:03 Self-Promotion
9:51 Next Time

#LadyShiva #BewareTheBatman #Batman #dccomics

The Jokerz Never Got the Joke | Batman Beyond

Serum Lake 2025-08-22 | They may wear the clown paint and laugh like maniacs, but the Jokerz are no second coming of Gotham’s Clown Prince. In Batman Beyond, this gang of futuristic pranksters try to borrow the Joker’s brand, but forget about the punchline.

This video explores how the Jokerz got it all wrong.

They copy the chaos without the conviction, and the violence without the vision. Terry McGinnis may face them time and again, but these pretenders are more cartoon than criminal mastermind. At the end of the day, they're kids playing dress up.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about why Harley Quinn could never leave The Joker: youtube.com/watch?v=k9hoNRKJfmk&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr6HylFT5ROjnWcAdLQEFSF1&index=50

Chapters:
0:00 The Sincerest Form of Flattery
0:45 Why Are People Drawn To The Joker
2:21 The Wasted Legacy
3:57 The Street Punks
6:23 Terminal & His Gang
7:02 The Joker's Jokerz
9:22 The Jokerz Legacy
10:12 The Jokerz Are A Joke
11:07 Self-Promotion
11:55 Next Time

#TheJokerz #TheJoker #BatmanBeyond #Batman #batmantheanimatedseries #DCAU

Harvey Dent Gave Up and Two-Face Took Control | The New Batman Adventures

Serum Lake 2025-08-18 | In The New Batman Adventures something about Two-Face feels different. He’s not scheming for power or flipping coins to justify chaos, he becomes a more ruthless criminal that threatens to destroy the city.

So what happened to Harvey Dent?

This video explores how and why Two-Face’s methods and mindset shifted so dramatically between Batman: The Animated Series and its follow up show by looking at a overlooked story by Bruce Timm: Two of a Kind.

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And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video all about why Almost Got 'Im is one of the best showcases for Gotham's rogues: youtube.com/watch?v=T1PDG-0_W9E&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7JSODAeKxMDsCq6P8pi2i9&index=40

Chapters:
0:00 BTAS' Best Villain
0:39 Two-Face's Origin
1:54 How TNBA Changed Two-Face
3:29 Harvey Dent's Poor Mental Health
5:05 Love Gives Two-Face A Second Chance
6:14 Why Harvey Dent Gave Up: Two of a Kind
9:49 Conclusion
10:22 Self-Promotion
11:09 Next Time

#Twoface #Batman #batmantheanimatedseries #thenewbatmanadventures #BTAS #TNBA

The Blunt Message of The Forgotten | Batman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-08-15 | While not one of the best episodes, The Forgotten tackled a very real world problem: poverty, exploitation, and a system that leaves the vulnerable behind. In this video, I talk about how this often-overlooked episode is a scathing critique of capitalism, complete with forced labour camps, corporate greed, and a villain who gorges while others starve.

From the grotesque caricature of Boss Biggis to Bruce Wayne’s heroism without the cowl, The Forgotten might just be the most politically charged story the show ever told, and it continues to be relevant to this day.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about the how heartbreak defined Batman: youtube.com/watch?v=WVqtyJ-hzcA&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr6yS8SSGqKxJYV42d86ojdU&index=18

Chapters:
0:00 Bruce Wayne Pays His Way
1:03 Gotham's Poverty Problem
2:38 Boss Biggis Is A Caricature
4:40 The Meaning of Bruce Wayne's Dream
6:34 A Conflicted Ending
8:12 Conclusion
9:38 Self-Promotion
10:25 Next Time

#Batman #BatmanTheAnimatedSeries #BTAS #DCAU

Worlds Finest Changed Everything | Superman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-08-11 | Before the Justice League was formed, before Batman and Superman saw each other as allies, there was World’s Finest. This three-part story that dared to ask what happens when the Dark Knight meets the Man of Steel. This marked a pivotal moment in the DC Animated Universe, not just uniting two titans, but reimagining how they’d clash, cooperate, and come to understand each other.

In this video, I break down how World’s Finest managed to balance rivalry with mutual respect, explore the episode’s sharp writing, clever plotting, and its unforgettable portrayal of Lex Luthor and the Joker as unlikely partners in chaos.

This is the foundation of a legendary friendship, and the birth of a shared universe that changed animated superhero storytelling forever.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about how Lex Luthor's greed got the better of him: youtube.com/watch?v=2N7d664-f6Y&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr4VdsJir0dd2ZTIQNM-l49o&index=3

Chapters:
0:00 The Definitive Superman & Batman Crossover
0:26 A Brief History Lesson
2:39 World's Finest Cemented The DCAU
3:44 The Clash In Styles
5:06 The Joker and Lex Luthor's Doomed Team Up
7:12 Studio Ghibli's Joker
7:57 Comparing The Two Teams
9:06 Lois Lane's Role
10:02 Conclusion
11:32 Self-Promotion
12:20 Next Time

#Superman #batman #supermantheanimatedseries #worldsfinest #dcau #batmantheanimatedseries

An Update On Totally Schway

Serum Lake 2025-08-10 | Here's a quick update on the future of the Totally Schway Podcast. Don't forget to head over to @MarySusanMears' channel to never miss a future episode.

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Maxima: Superman’s Most Powerful Admirer | Superman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-08-08 | Maxima is a queen, a warrior, and one of Superman’s most intense admirers, but beneath her crown lies a character both fascinating and flawed.

In her single appearance in Superman: The Animated Series, Maxima arrives not as a villain or a hero, but as a force of nature: determined to claim Superman as her mate. But what does this bold, brash character reveal about Superman himself and about the kind of power he refuses to abuse?

In this video I'll explore Maxima’s motivations, her cultural worldview, and why her strength becomes her weakness. Far from being just another alien-of-the-week, this episode offers more than just a battle of fists. It’s a clash of values, and a look at what makes Superman say “no” to someone who seems to have everything.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about how Superman Changed The DCAU Forever?
youtube.com/watch?v=x-Y9jO3eISM&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr4VdsJir0dd2ZTIQNM-l49o&index=4

Chapters:
0:00 The Warrior Queen Needs A Mate
0:40 Maxima's Comic Book Origins
4:00 Streamlining Maxima
4:54 Maxima Sets Her Sights on Superman
6:36 Maxima's Fall and Rise
8:06 Maxima and Lobo
8:43 What Maxima Learns From Superman
9:37 Conclusion
10:24 Self-Promotion
11:11 Next Time

#Maxima #superman #supermantheanimatedseries #warriorqueen #stas #DCAU

Totally Schway: Episode 55 - Was BTAS A Really Cool PSA?

Serum Lake 2025-08-03 | In this episode Mary and Luke talk how the creative team of Batman: The Animated Series didn't want to include any public service announcements in their show, but it still managed to teach the same kinds of lessons

We'll also read your comments and questions from last time.

Chapters:
00:00:00 Intro & San Diego Comic Con News
00:05:58 Was BTAS A Cool PSA?
00:43:08 Your comments and questions
01:30:22 Next Time

#BTAS #batmantheanimatedseries #dcau

For more insight into the behind the scenes of our YouTube Channels, check out our Totally Schway Substack: substack.com/home/post/p-163904266

If you enjoyed this episode make sure you check out Mary's video about Lois Lane over on her channel:
youtube.com/watch?v=CrkB5Zmj8p4&list=PL-OisFIjerSIGvNc-cYGTX_2vg8xsVlRS&index=7

And don't forget to pick up your own Totally Schway t-shirt, mug, phone case, or whatever from our new Tee Public Store: teepublic.com/user/serumlake

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Zatanna is Bound By Legacy | Batman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-08-01 | Parents shape us in ways we can’t escape. For Batman, it’s a crusade built on grief, a lifelong mission to honour Thomas and Martha Wayne. For Zatanna Zatara, it’s the need to prove herself worthy of her father’s legendary name. Both are still performing for their parents, even after death and that shared drive is what makes their bond feel so real.

This video looks at Zatanna’s journey from her comic book roots to Batman: The Animated Series – how Paul Dini turned her into one of Bruce Wayne’s first loves, why her connection to Batman is so powerful, and how she evolved into a true sorceress in Justice League Unlimited.

This is the story of a woman defined by love, legacy, and the hope that her father would be proud of her.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this one about Batman's other great love, Andrea Beaumont, The Phantasm: youtube.com/watch?v=KaunrTdKpgE&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr6HylFT5ROjnWcAdLQEFSF1&index=2

Chapters:
0:00 The Influence of Parents
1:14 Zatanna’s Comic Book Origins
3:14 Post-Crisis Storyline
4:02 Zatanna’s Connection To Bruce Wayne
5:38 Zatanna and Batman Team Up
7:09 Zatanna In Justice League Unlimited
8:28 Zatanna In Batman Beyond
9:15 Conclusion
10:07 Self-Promotion
10:54 Next Time

#Zatanna #Batman #BatmanTheAnimatedSeries #DCAU #JusticeLeagueUnlimited

Batman’s Rogues At Their Best | Almost Got ‘Im | Batman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-07-28 | How do you capture everything brilliant about Batman: The Animated Series in just 22 minutes? Almost Got ’Im pulls it off with style. A poker table full of villains, each sharing their personal story of how they nearly took down the Dark Knight.

It’s a genius setup that reveals as much about Gotham City as it does about Batman himself. With sharp writing, distinctive direction, and one of the most memorable twists in the series, this episode shows exactly why BTAS is considered one of the greatest adaptations of Batman ever made.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about The Laughing Fish? youtube.com/watch?v=rItOCtrh56s&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7JSODAeKxMDsCq6P8pi2i9&index=3

Chapters:
0:00 Almost Got ‘Im Is One Of The Best Episodes
0:49 The Meaning Behind The Villains’ Poker Game
3:10 How The Episode Develops Villains' Personalities
4:08 Some Key Strengths
6:40 The Joker's Role
7:33 Perfectly Balanced Tone
8:34 Why Almost Got 'Im Endures
9:49 Self-Promotion
10:36 Next Time

#batmantheanimatedseries #thejoker #twoface #thepenguin #poisonivy #killercroc

When Superman Lost Hope | Superman: The Animated Series | Brave New Metropolis

Serum Lake 2025-07-28 | Brave New Metropolis shows a very different Man of Steel: a broken Superman who trades hope for control, teaming up with Lex Luthor to rule Metropolis with an iron fist. But this isn’t just another “evil Superman” story, it’s a tragedy about guilt, grief, and what makes Superman the greatest hero in the first place.

In this video, I explore how this alternate-universe Superman became a tyrant, why his fall from grace feels so believable, and what it reveals about the core of his character. More than anything, it’s a reminder of why the real Superman (the one who chooses kindness, restraint, and hope every single day) is so extraordinary.

If you’ve ever thought Superman was boring, this is the story that proves you wrong.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about how Superman Changed The World?
youtube.com/watch?v=x-Y9jO3eISM&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr4VdsJir0dd2ZTIQNM-l49o&index=8

Chapters:
0:00 The Tyrant Superman Trope
2:04 Brave New Metropolis Is Different
3:40 Superman's Descent Into Fascism
5:04 Heartbreak And Guilt Broke Superman
7:06 The Heroes and Villains of Brave New Metropolis
8:38 What Tyrant Superman Says About Our Superman
10:34 Self-Promotion
11:22 Next Time

#Superman #evilsuperman #supermantheanimatedseries #supermanredson #injusticesuperman #stas #dcau

What Ace Really Meant to Batman | Batman Beyond

Serum Lake 2025-07-25 | Batman’s dog isn’t just a Silver Age gimmick. Ace the Bat-Hound went from a masked crime-fighting mascot to one of the most heartfelt characters in Batman Beyond.

This video explores how Ace went from a cowl wearing sidekick to a poignant, abused stray. I’ll also talk about how his bond with Bruce Wayne reflects everything that makes Batman human, and how he is connected to the classic Royal Flush Gang member Ace. All of them were weapons shaped by cruelty, but neither was defined by it.

Chapters:
0:00 How The Bat-Hound Became Batman's Best Friend
1:08 Ace The Bat-Hound's Comic Book Origins
3:22 Why Ace Wasn't In Batman: The Animated Series
4:43 Batman Beyond's Ace Is A Loyal Figure
6:37 Ace's Connection To The Royal Flush Gang
8:39 Ace In The Hole
9:45 Conclusion
10:49 Self-Promotion
11:36 Next Time

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video consider watching this one about how Batman Beyond was not a kid's show: youtube.com/watch?v=4nNkKhwe_vQ&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr5ZJky_vn3JVk5QU-3TcprM&index=2

#BatmanBeyond #Batman #AceTheBatHound #DCAU

This Film Deserved Better | Justice League: Gods and Monsters

Serum Lake 2025-07-21 | Justice League: Gods and Monsters reimagined Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman in bold, brutal ways, but back in 2015, it may have gone over our heads.

In this video, I explore how Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett broke their own rules to forge a darker, more complex Justice League, one shaped by violence, guilt, and betrayal, and compare it to DC's recent Absolute line of comics.

From Hernan Guerra's deadly compassion to Kirk Langstrom’s monstrous guilt, this film had a very clear message that audiences may not have been ready for in 2015, but perhaps we are now.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtube.com/watch?v=rkWCA_Yrv38

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this breakdown of the Absolute Batman's story so far: youtube.com/watch?v=lEexwQxCxG8&list=PL4UvODrTUbqf6o5Er2Uxm7qY5AaigkcDT

Chapters:
0:00 Reinvention is vital
1:12 The Significance of Alan Burnett and Bruce Timm
1:59 A New Universe
3:35 Superman, Son of Zod
5:28 Wonder Woman Is A New God
6:53 Batman Is A Vampire
7:52 The Silver Age Corrupted
8:53 Similarities To The Absolute Comics
9:40 Why Wasn't Gods And Monsters Popular?
10:41 Gods And Monsters Was A Trailblazer
11:14 Self-Promotion
12:01 Next Time

#JusticeLeague #Justiceleaguegodsandmonsters #superman #batman #wonderwoman

Totally Schway: Episode 54 - Lets Talk About Jimmy Olsen

Serum Lake 2025-07-20 | In this episode Mary and Luke talk about the Superman: The Animated Series version of Jimmy Olsen, including the things we like about him, the things that could've been better, and our favourite moments.

We'll also read your comments and questions from last time.

Chapters:
00:00:00 Intro & News
00:05:39 STAS' Jimmy Olsen
00:39:16 Your comments and questions
01:18:24 Next Time

#JimmyOlsen #supermantheanimatedseries #dcau

For more insight into the behind the scenes of our YouTube Channels, check out our Totally Schway Substack: substack.com/home/post/p-163904266

If you enjoyed this episode make sure you check out Mary's video about Lois Lane over on her channel:
youtube.com/watch?v=CrkB5Zmj8p4&list=PL-OisFIjerSIGvNc-cYGTX_2vg8xsVlRS&index=7

And don't forget to pick up your own Totally Schway t-shirt, mug, phone case, or whatever from our new Tee Public Store: teepublic.com/user/serumlake

You can also join our Facebook group to get access to some exclusive posts:
facebook.com/groups/serumlake

Join this channel to get access to perks, including early access to my next video essay:
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Jimmy Olsen Lost His Spark | Superman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-07-18 | Jimmy Olsen used to be Superman’s best friend, his partner in the weirdest, wildest adventures the Silver Age had to offer. But in Superman: The Animated Series, Jimmy was transformed into a minor supporting character who was sometimes the butt of jokes. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing though.

Let’s talk about how STAS reimagined Jimmy Olsen, what was lost in that transition, and how a character once bursting with bizarre energy was brought down to earth.

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And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about Superman's imperfect clone Bizarro? youtube.com/watch?v=hZQnBg3iKB4&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr4VdsJir0dd2ZTIQNM-l49o&index=2

0:00 Jimmy Olsen Used To Be Weird
0:43 The Comic Book Jimmy Olsen
2:57 Jack Kirby's Jimmy Olsen
3:55 Whatever Happened To The Man of Tomorrow and Beyond
5:05 Superman: The Animated Series' Jimmy Olsen
6:42 Jimmy Wasn't Entirely Useless
7:27 Superman's Pal and JLU
9:42 Jimmy Didn't Fit In
11:04 Self-Promotion
11:51 Next Time

#Superman #supermantheanimatedseries #jimmyolsen #stas

Killer Moth Tried So Hard and Still Failed | The Batman (2004)

Serum Lake 2025-07-14 | Killer Moth might be the most pathetic villain in Batman history: a wannabe Dark Knight in purple and green who just couldn’t get it right. Yet he found a place in 2004's The Batman as an unlikely member of Team Penguin.

He may have only appeared once, but he has his fans. Join me as I talk about Killer Moth’s backstory in the comic books, why he wasn't in Batman: The Animated Series, and how Teen Titans and The Batman adapted him faithfully.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about a video to commemorate The Batman's 20th anniversary?
youtu.be/5WgwWisqgl4?si=qnoUZqAot5TlOwcl

Chapters:
0:00 Batman's Most Pathetic Villain
1:00 Killer Moth's Comic Book Origin
2:52 The Modern Era's Killer Moth
4:20 Killer Moth Becomes Charaxes
5:40 Why Wasn't Killer Moth In Batman: The Animated Series?
6:24 Killer Moth In Teen Titans
7:08 How Killer Moth Appeared In The Batman
8:31 Killer Moth's Transformation
10:16 Conclusion
11:08 Self-Promotion
11:54 Next Time

#TheBatman2004 #KillerMoth #dccomics #batman #TeenTitans

This Is The Definitive Superman | Superman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-07-11 | Widely praised for its emotional depth, Batman: The Animated Series is often hailed as the definitive take on the Dark Knight. But what about its successor? In this video I argue that Superman: The Animated Series may just be the most complete, faithful, and emotionally intelligent version of the Man of Steel ever put to screen.

From its rich, intelligent adaptations of Superman's classic villains, like Brainiac, Metallo, and Parasite, to the introduction of Jack Kirby's Fourth World, this series pulled from every era of the comics - Golden Age grit, Silver Age weirdness, and Modern Age complexity - to build something truly timeless.

So let’s take a look at why Superman: The Animated Series didn’t just follow Batman’s lead, it helped the DCAU soar.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about the ultimate evil, Darkseid: youtube.com/watch?v=FGMycpxXTCA&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr4VdsJir0dd2ZTIQNM-l49o&index=7

Chapters:
00:00 Why STAS Deserves More Praise
01:14 Honouring Superman's Comic Book Eras
02:31 Darkseid, Apokolips, and Cosmic Scale
03:53 Reworking Villains the Right Way
07:47 Building the DCAU’s Foundation
08:33 Live-Action vs Animated Superman
09:36 The Definitive Superman!
10:50 Self-Promotion
11:39 Next Time

#Superman #supermantheanimatedseries #dcau #dccomics

Killer Croc Wanted To Be King | Beware The Batman

Serum Lake 2025-07-07 | Killer Croc has been many things: a gangster, a monster, a misunderstood brut, —but Beware The Batman might have given us his most interesting take yet.

In this video, I explore Croc’s history in animation, from Batman: The Animated Series The Batman, and The Brave and the Bold, as well as how Beware the Batman reimagined him as the brutal king of Blackgate Prison.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about the Killer Croc-centric episode of BTAS, Sideshow: youtube.com/watch?v=ARYsaKgoDVc&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7JSODAeKxMDsCq6P8pi2i9&index=8

Chapters:
0:00 Killer Croc is more than a monster
0:30 The origin of Killer Croc
2:40 Batman: The Animated Series' Killer Croc
4:06 The Batman (2004)'s Killer Croc
5:07 Batman: The Brave and the Bold's Killer Croc
5:38 Beware The Batman: Animal
8:31 Beware The Batman: Choices
9:57 Killer Croc's Objective
11:52 Self-Promotion
12:41 Next Time

#KillerCroc #BewareTheBatman #Batman #batmantheanimatedseries #thebatman2004 #batmanthebraveandthebold

Totally Schway: Episode 53 - London Film & Comic Con 2025 Special

Serum Lake 2025-07-06 | In this episode Luke and Mary recount the events of their trip to London Film & Comic Con, and talk about the artists and celebrities that they came across.

We'll also read your comments and questions from last time.

Chapters:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:0:26 London Film & Comic Con 2025
00:41:36 Your comments and questions
01:19:18 Next Time

#comiccon #ronperlman #jackkirbymuseum

For more insight into the behind the scenes of our YouTube Channels, check out our Totally Schway Substack: substack.com/home/post/p-163904266

If you enjoyed this episode make sure you check out Mary's video about Lois Lane over on her channel:
youtube.com/watch?v=CrkB5Zmj8p4&list=PL-OisFIjerSIGvNc-cYGTX_2vg8xsVlRS&index=7

And don't forget to pick up your own Totally Schway t-shirt, mug, phone case, or whatever from our new Tee Public Store: teepublic.com/user/serumlake

You can also join our Facebook group to get access to some exclusive posts:
facebook.com/groups/serumlake

Join this channel to get access to perks, including early access to my next video essay:
youtube.com/channel/UC0yFOXbX98P3qz-IvT7uRQQ/join

Lex Luthor Had Everything But It Wasnt Enough | Superman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-07-04 | Lex Luthor isn't a monster or a god. He's worse: he's human.
In Superman: The Animated Series, Lex Luthor isn't just Superman's greatest enemy, he's a mirror reflecting the darkest parts of human ambition.

This video looks at how the DC Animated Universe reimagined Luthor as a corrupt corporate titan whose pride and ego turn world-changing inventions into weapons, and whose greatest weakness is the very idea of Superman.

I'll cover Lex Luthor's comic book origins, from mad scientist to manipulative businessman, and break down why the animated version from the Superman: The Animated Series is still one of the best portrayals of the character.

This isn't just a history lesson, it's a character study on power, pride, and the unbearable truth that some people are simply better.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about Bizarro: youtube.com/watch?v=hZQnBg3iKB4&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr4VdsJir0dd2ZTIQNM-l49o&index=2

Chapters:
0:00 Lex Luthor Humanity is His Failing
1:24 Lex Luthor's Comic Book Origins
3:41 Post-Crisis Lex Luthor
5:33 Lex Luthor in Superman: The Animated Series
6:47 Luthor Could've Saved The World
8:19 The Embodiment of Greed
9:33 Luthor's Jealousy
10:56 Self-Promotion
11:43 Next Time

#LexLuthor #Superman #supermantheanimatedseries #dcau #dcanimateduniverse

Jonah Hex Could Never Be Forgiven | Batman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-06-30 | Jonah Hex is one of DC Comics’ most brutal and distinctive characters. He’s a disfigured bounty hunter from the Old West with no time for capes, causes, or redemption arcs. So what was he doing in Batman: The Animated Series (and later Justice League Unlimited)?

In this video, I’ll talk about the strange and surprising appearance of Jonah Hex in the BTAS episode Showdown, tracing his comic book origins, his painful backstory, and how this Wild West antihero fits into a world of high-tech villains and costumed crusaders.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about another great episode of The Adventures of Batman & Robin, Sideshow: youtube.com/watch?v=ARYsaKgoDVc&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7JSODAeKxMDsCq6P8pi2i9&index=8

Chapters:
0:00 A Surprising BTAS Appearance
0:44 Jonah Hex's Comic Book Origin
3:56 The Death of Jonah Hex
5:04 Why Jonah Hex Was In BTAS
6:21 Jonah Hex's vs Ra's al Ghul
7:36 The Once and Future Thing
8:38 Conclusion

#JonahHex #batmantheanimatedseries #showdown #rasalghul

Armory Chose Crime Over Honesty | Batman Beyond

Serum Lake 2025-06-27 | Once a proud weapons engineer at Wayne-Powers, Big Jim Tate wasn’t driven by greed or madness, but by fear: the fear that without money, his family wouldn’t love him.

Here is everything you need to know about this underrated Batman Beyond villain. Why did he fall so far, and what does his story say about the cost of silence, pride, and conditional self-worth? Oh yeah, and I'll also talk about his single appearance in the mainline DC Universe Batman Beyond comics.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this one about how Batman Beyond was anything but a kids' show? youtube.com/watch?v=4nNkKhwe_vQ&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr5ZJky_vn3JVk5QU-3TcprM&index=2

Chapters:
0:00 Batman Beyond's Original Villains
0:22 The Origin of Armory
2:08 Armory's Insecurity
4:17 Armory Robs Wayne Powers
5:58 Armory Feared Losing His Family
7:01 Armory's Comic Book Appearance
8:37 The Tragedy of Armory

#BatmanBeyond #Armory #DCcomics

This Mr Freeze Was All Style, No Substance | The Batman (2004)

Serum Lake 2025-06-23 | The Batman (2004) reinvented Gotham’s villains for a new generation, but not all of those makeovers stuck the landing. Today, we’re looking at the show’s take on Mr Freeze - a version stripped of tragedy, humanity, and Nora Fries. Was this bold back-to-basics approach a clever subversion or just a cold imitation?

We’ll discuss how Freeze evolved from a campy gimmick into one of Batman’s most tragic foes in Batman: The Animated Series, why The Batman tried something very different, and whether this villain truly earned his place in the rogues' gallery, or got left out in the cold…

This version of Mr Freeze may look cooler than ever… but is there anything beneath the surface? And does it matter, either way?

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about the BTAS Episode Deep Freeze?: youtube.com/watch?v=fFjYwKRx3Vg&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7JSODAeKxMDsCq6P8pi2i9&index=11

Chapters:
0:00 BTAS Was A Hard Act To Follow
0:32 How Mr Freeze Was Redefined
2:05 The Problem The Batman Tried To Solve
5:16 The Best Mr Freeze Episode
7:24 The Problem With The Batman’s Mr Freeze
8:34 Why Mr Freeze Leaves Me Cold
9:37 Self-Promotion
10:26 Next Time

#TheBatman2004 #Batman #MrFreeze #DCcomics

Totally Schway: Episode 52 - What The Heck?! Villains

Serum Lake 2025-06-22 | In this episode Luke and Mary talk about a handful of DCAU villains that they found shocking (for a variety of reasons)

We'll also read your comments and questions from last time.

Chapters:
00:00:00 BTAS Figure News
00:03:12 What the Heck?! Villains
00:37:38 Your comments and questions
01:23:43 Next Time

#batmantheanimatedseries #supermantheanimatedseries #justiceleagueunlimited #justiceleague

For more insight into the behind the scenes of our YouTube Channels, check out our Totally Schway Substack: substack.com/home/post/p-163904266

If you enjoyed this episode make sure you check out Mary's video about Lois Lane over on her channel:
youtube.com/watch?v=CrkB5Zmj8p4&list=PL-OisFIjerSIGvNc-cYGTX_2vg8xsVlRS&index=7

And don't forget to pick up your own Totally Schway t-shirt, mug, phone case, or whatever from our new Tee Public Store: teepublic.com/user/serumlake

You can also join our Facebook group to get access to some exclusive posts:
facebook.com/groups/serumlake

Join this channel to get access to perks, including early access to my next video essay:
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Krypto Was a Gift Superman Couldn’t Keep | Superman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-06-20 | Krypto the Superdog began life as a goofy Silver Age sidekick, little more than a marketing ploy to soften Superman for nervous parents. But over the decades he became a symbol of innocence, loyalty, and representative of the ever-changing tone of superhero comics.

In this video I talk about his origins, why he was barely used on screen in Superman: The Animated Series, and shine the spotlight on a forgotten DCAU comic story that brought him back and was incredibly sad! 🐶

Note that an earlier version of this video incorrectly credited Dan Slott with writing Superman Adventures 40, but it was written by Ty Templeton.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about how Superman Changed The World: youtube.com/watch?v=x-Y9jO3eISM&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr4VdsJir0dd2ZTIQNM-l49o&index=7

Chapters:
0:00 A Hero With a Collar
0:59 Krypto’s Comic Book Origin
3:00 The Death of Krypto
4:14 The Post-Crisis Krypto
5:56 Krypto in Superman: The Animated Series
6:47 Mr Mxyzptlk's Role
8:01 Krypto's Forgotten DCAU Appearance
11:42 Conclusion
12:48 Self Promotion
13:35 Next Time

#Krypto #Superman #DCAU #SupermanTheAnimatedSeries

The Girl Robin Couldn’t Save | Growing Pains | The New Batman Adventures

Serum Lake 2025-06-16 | Growing Pains isn’t just another episode of The New Batman Adventures, it’s a heartbreakingly beautiful story that challenges what it means to be alive. This video explores why Robin’s tragic love for Annie, a lost fragment of Clayface, makes this the best episode in the entire series.

From the body horror elements to the multilayered characters, plus the recently uncovered role of Studio Ghibli, discover how Growing Pains captures loss, identity, and the cruel truths of growing up in Gotham.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this one about how Clayface was driven by fear? youtube.com/watch?v=AHMLfuFnTWo&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7JSODAeKxMDsCq6P8pi2i9&index=17

Chapters:
0:00 The Best Episode of The New Batman Adventures
1:18 A Story Made For Robin
1:52 Robin's Infatuation With Annie
3:00 The Big Twist
4:06 Annie Means Different Things To Different People
5:56 The Meaning of Clayface's Form
6:32 Is Annie A Real Person?
7:32 Paul Dini and Bob Goodman's Story
8:12 Studio Ghibli's Contribution
9:18 Sometimes There Are No Happy Endings
11:03 Robin's Hard Lesson
12:03 Self-Promotion
12:51 Next Time

#robin #growingpains #thenewbatmanadventures #batmantheanimatedseries #clayface

Sid The Squid is an Ambitious Buffoon | Batman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-06-13 | What happens when the smallest crook in Gotham accidentally becomes its most feared criminal? In this video I talk about Sid the Squid, one of Batman: The Animated Series’ most hilarious one-off characters.

Created by Paul Dini, Sid’s story in "The Man Who Killed Batman" is a darkly comic tale of ambition gone sideways. He’s not a master villain. He’s not a genius. He was just the right person in the right place at the right time. And somehow, that’s enough to change Gotham.

This video is about Sid’s unlikely rise to power, his deadly encounter with the Joker, and his surprise cameo in Batman: The Adventures Continue, where he completes his Goodfellas-inspired arc from wannabe gangster to weary informant.

Along the way, we’ll explore the deeper themes of ambition, mistaken identity, and why even the goofiest crooks can leave a lasting legacy in the DCAU, even Squids! 🦑

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this one about how The Joker Broke Harley Quinn?
youtu.be/k9hoNRKJfmk?si=LpM1Pa7WepyxHUnc

Chapters:
0:00 Ambition Can Be Dangerous
1:20 Who Inspired Sid The Squid?
3:39 The Man Who Killed Batman
5:49 The Impact of Batman's "Death"
6:43 The Joker's Batman Eulogy
7:49 What Happened To Sid The Squid?
9:51 Conclusion

#SidTheSquid #BatmanTheAnimatedSeries #BTAS #TheManWhoKilledBatman

Magpie Couldnt Let Go | Beware the Batman

Serum Lake 2025-06-09 | Beware the Batman is notable for using villains deep from Gotham’s darkest, near-forgotten corners. A great example of this is their version of Magpie.

She was a glittering footnote in the comics, most notable because of who killed her, but in Beware the Batman, she becomes a dangerous, glamorous tragedy wrapped in leather and madness.

Let's talk about the twisted rebirth of Magpie, and her journey from obscurity to cult status.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this one? youtube.com/watch?v=mTbEvANVfII&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7lVFhcTqvc9he3XHJEV22v

Chapters:
0:00 Beware The Batman's Villain Philosophy
0:40 Magpie's Comic Book Origins
3:31 Magpie's New Origin
5:21 The Irony of Magpie's Mission
7:00 Magpie Cannot Face The Truth
9:02 Magpie Can't Let Go
9:56 Conclusion
12:00 Self-Promotion
12:48 Next Time

#Magpie #batman #bewarethebatman #batmanvillains #dccomics

Totally Schway: Episode 51 - How Did They Get Away With That?! Moments

Serum Lake 2025-06-08 | In this episode Luke and Mary talk about some of the most shocking scenes from the DC Animated Universe. They're not necessarily graphic, but they are moments that they were surprised to see in kids' shows.

We'll also read your comments and questions from last time.

Chapters:
00:00:00 Personal News
00:01:22 How Did They Get Away With That?!
00:42:37 Your comments and questions
01:22:51 Next Time

#batmantheanimatedseries #supermantheanimatedseries #justiceleagueunlimited #batmanbeyond #justiceleague

For more insight into the behind the scenes of our YouTube Channels, check out our Totally Schway Substack: substack.com/home/post/p-163904266

If you enjoyed this episode make sure you check out Mary's video about Lois Lane over on her channel:
youtube.com/watch?v=CrkB5Zmj8p4&list=PL-OisFIjerSIGvNc-cYGTX_2vg8xsVlRS&index=7

And don't forget to pick up your own Totally Schway t-shirt, mug, phone case, or whatever from our new Tee Public Store: teepublic.com/user/serumlake

You can also join our Facebook group to get access to some exclusive posts:
facebook.com/groups/serumlake

Join this channel to get access to perks, including early access to my next video essay:
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What Happened to Grace Lamont? | Batman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-06-06 | Some villains have henchmen, others have empires, but Two-Face had Grace Lamont, his devoted fiancée. However, after a strong debut in Two-Face Part I and II, she vanished.

In this video, I’m going to tell you what happened to Grace Lamont. She stood by Harvey Dent through his psychological collapse, physical disfigurement, and eventual transformation into the dual-minded criminal Two-Face. But who was Grace? Where did she go? And why did she eventually leave him?

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video on why Two-Face is Batman's best villain?
youtube.com/watch?v=jttHFo8hTuI&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr6n1p2Tr9_pmcFa-RxgK8tc&index=2

Chapters:
0:00 The Woman Who Loved Two-Face
1:25 Harvey Dent's Downfall
3:58 Who is Grace Lamont?
5:51 Where Did Grace Lamont Go?
9:33 Grace's Final Appearance
10:52 Conclusion
12:05 Self-Promotion
12:52 Next Time

#Batmantheanimatedseries #btas #twoface #gracelamont

Why Harley Quinn Stayed With The Joker | Batman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-06-02 | It's time to talk about the tragic and tangled tale of Harley Quinn's romance with The Joker, as seen in Batman: The Animated Series. From her unexpected creation by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm to the painful evolution of her toxic relationship with The Joker, this video looks at the psychology behind one of the show’s most complex villains.

I’m going to talk about how Harley’s love turned to poison, how The Joker’s manipulation and abuse led to her downfall, and why her story is more than just a cartoon sidekick’s drama, it’s a cautionary reflection of real-world toxic relationships, trauma bonding, and resilience.

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🎶 Music by Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

Chapters:
0:00 Harley Quinn is a tragic figure
0:30 The creation of Harley Quinn
1:59 Harley started out as a henchwoman
3:16 Harley & Ivy changed their relationship
5:24 Harley Quinn's origin: Mad Love
8:10 How The Joker controlled Harley Quinn
9:51 Harley Quinn couldn't break free from The Joker
11:19 Self-Promotion
12:06 Next Time

#TheJoker #HarleyQuinn #batmantheanimatedseries

And if you enjoyed this video I've got many more you could watch. How about this video about how The Joker was not a sympathetic figure: youtube.com/watch?v=LcvdHDcQ5dM&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr6HylFT5ROjnWcAdLQEFSF1&index=5

The Sewer King Was the Worst Kind of Villain | Batman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-05-30 | The Sewer King is among the creepiest villains in Batman: The Animated Series, yet, outside of his debut episode, he hasn't really done much. Why?

Let’s talk about his only appearance, The Underdwellers, one of BTAS' more controversial episodes, and examine how this one-shot villain echoes real-world horrors like child abuse and exploitation.

From his Dickensian, pseudo-pirate design to his alligator-infested lair, the Sewer King left his mark, even if the DC Universe mostly left him behind.

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🎶 Music by @Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video then check out this video about how Killer Croc is a fraud: youtube.com/watch?v=ARYsaKgoDVc&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr6HylFT5ROjnWcAdLQEFSF1&index=44

Chapters:
0:00 Who is The Sewer King?
0:50 The Sewer King's Harsh Rules
2:59 Frog's Role
4:16 Batman's Response
6:12 What Happened To The Sewer King
7:35 The Sewer King's Mainline DC Appearance
8:18 Conclusion
9:34 Self-Promotion
10:21 Next Time

#batmantheanimatedseries #theunderdwellers #thesewerking

Terminal Was Haunted By Shame | Batman Beyond

Serum Lake 2025-05-26 | Terminal only appeared once in Batman Beyond, but that single episode revealed one of the show's most psychologically rich villains. Carter Wilson was a straight-A student and school golden boy, hiding a second life as a member of the Jokerz. But behind the cool smile was a boy crushed under the weight of shame, and impossible expectations.

In this video, I explore Terminal’s origins in Batman Beyond and how he was developed in the official tie-in comics, unpacking how his toxic home life shaped his split identity. This is the story of Terminal, the brilliant boy who couldn’t outrun the voice in his head that told him he’d never be good enough.

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🎶 Music by @Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video check out my massive Batman Beyond playlist, which features all of my Batman Beyond videos to-date:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0YgbPmiDIr5ZJky_vn3JVk5QU-3TcprM

Chapters:
0:00 The Psychology of Villains
0:37 The Role of Shame
2:16 Terminal's Vengeance
4:18 Terminal Velocity
6:08 A Comparison To Two-Face
7:02 The Mainline Universe Version of Terminal
8:34 Which Batman Beyond Comics Are Canon?
9:46 Conclusion
10:32 Self-Promotion
11:20 Next Time

#BatmanBeyond #Terminal #DCAU

Totally Schway: Episode 50 - The Underdwellers is a weird BTAS episode

Serum Lake 2025-05-25 | In this episode Luke and Mary talk about an early BTAS episode, and how it just doesn't quite fit in with the rest of the series.

We'll also read your comments and questions from last time.

Chapters:
00:00:00 Personal News
00:01:22 The Underdwellers Discussion
00:38:52 Your comments and questions
01:34:57 Next Time

#TheUnderdwellers #batmantheanimatedseries #dcau

If you enjoyed this episode make sure you check out Mary's video about Lois Lane over on her channel:
youtube.com/watch?v=CrkB5Zmj8p4&list=PL-OisFIjerSIGvNc-cYGTX_2vg8xsVlRS&index=7

And don't forget to pick up your own Totally Schway t-shirt, mug, phone case, or whatever from our new Tee Public Store: teepublic.com/user/serumlake

You can also join our Facebook group to get access to some exclusive posts:
facebook.com/groups/serumlake

Join this channel to get access to perks, including early access to my next video essay:
youtube.com/channel/UC0yFOXbX98P3qz-IvT7uRQQ/join

Titano Meant No Harm | Superman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-05-23 | Once upon a time, Superman faced one of his strangest enemies, a giant, Kryptonite-powered ape named Titano. But behind the silliness lies a tale shaped by censorship, controversy, and social fears.

From Silver Age absurdity to tragic post-Crisis revamp and a heartfelt DCAU appearance, this video talks about how Titano evolved from sci-fi sideshow to misunderstood monster. This is the bizarre and surprisingly emotional history of Superman’s massive foe Titano The Super Ape.

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🎶 Music by @Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

Recommended Video:
The Best Episode of Superman: The Animated Series: youtube.com/watch?v=phfqUPraDKU&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr4VdsJir0dd2ZTIQNM-l49o&index=14

Chapters:
0:00 How Moral Panic Created Titano
1:57 The Silver Age Origin of Titano
4:13 The Post-Crisis Titano
6:42 Monkey Fun
8:18 Titano Meant No Harm
9:20 Titano's Rampage
10:23 Conclusion
11:24 Self-Promotion
12:11 Next Time

#superman #titano #dccomics #supermantheanimatedseries

How Firefly Got Burned | The Batman (2004)

Serum Lake 2025-05-19 | Garfield Lynns started out as a campy criminal with a belt full of bulbs, but by the '90s he'd been reimagined as a deeply scarred pyromaniac obsessed with destruction. The DCAU gave him a chilling twist too: a spurned obsessive whose twisted love turned lethal.

But 2004's The Batman took a different approach. This version of Firefly begins as a corporate saboteur, setting rival companies ablaze on behalf of the shady Gothcorp. But by the show’s end he was completely reimagined.

From sleek saboteur to super-powered nightmare, it’s a memorable reinvention that is fully in keeping with the character’s legacy of transformation.

If you enjoyed this video then check out this video about The Batman's Clayface,: youtube.com/watch?v=eH1Lm0wRKgo&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7ONjsGkCMHzl8towLNBiW1&index=4

Chapters:
0:00 Comic Book Adaptations Are Often Different
0:33 The Golden Age Firefly
2:12 The Modern Era Firefly
3:42 The DCAU's Firefly
6:36 The Batman's Reinvention of Firefly
8:37 Firefly's Dramatic Transformation in White Heat
11:14 Conclusion
13:10 Self-Promotion
13:54 Next Time

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🎶 Music by @Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

Recommended Videos:
Dr Phosphorus is a Ruthless Sadist: youtube.com/watch?v=BUstzn_8PhA&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7HetGqAM5sOHD_8ZvO7sDv&index=33

Firebug Was A Nobody: youtube.com/watch?v=BlK0Yai7n0o&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7HetGqAM5sOHD_8ZvO7sDv&index=86

#Firefly #TheBatman #thebatman2004 #batman #dccomics

Gil Mason: Gothams Most Corrupt Cop | Batman: The Animated Series

Serum Lake 2025-05-16 | Batman: The Animated Series is often praised as the definitive take on the Dark Knight, but one pivotal aspect that was missing was the corruption in Gotham City.

In this video, I’ll talk about how BTAS quietly toned down systemic rot, why corrupt figures from the comics, like Rupert Thorne and Hamilton Hill were rewritten, and how original villains like Gil Mason were created to try to address this point.

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🎶 Music by @Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

And if you enjoyed this video why not checkout this video I made about how other forms of censorship helped to improve Batman: The Animated Series: youtube.com/watch?v=HaIrq1PmF_4&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7HetGqAM5sOHD_8ZvO7sDv&index=161

Chapters:
0:00 Why Was There No Corruption In Gotham?
2:46 How BTAS Adapted Corrupt Officials
5:16 Who Is Gil Mason?
6:32 Two-Face's Grand Scheme
8:14 Gil Mason Is A Corrupt Liar
9:11 How Batgirl Defeated Gil Mason
10:42 Conclusion
12:30 Self-Promotion
13:16 Next Time

#batmantheanimatedseries #CommissionerGordon #TwoFace #Batgirl #GilMason

Humpty Dumptys Great Fall | Beware The Batman

Serum Lake 2025-05-12 | Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, but in Gotham City, even a nursery rhyme can turn deadly. In this video we'll talk about one of Batman’s saddest and most overlooked foes: Humphrey Dumpler, better known as Humpty Dumpty.

I’ll highlight the twisted psychology of a man who wasn’t evil, just broken in all the wrong ways, and how Beware The Batman turned a nursery rhyme into a horror story.

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🎶 Music by @Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

Recommended videos:
youtube.com/watch?v=EieSxH0ixVs&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7lVFhcTqvc9he3XHJEV22v&index=2

youtube.com/watch?v=mTbEvANVfII&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr7lVFhcTqvc9he3XHJEV22v&index=1

Chapters:
0:00 Beware The Batman’s Love For Obscure Villains
0:50 Humpty Dumpty’s Comic Book Origin
4:47 Humpty Dumpty’s Tragic Christmas
6:07 Beware The Batman’s Broken Humpty Dumpty
8:17 Humpty Dumpty’s Games
10:19 Humpty Dumpty’s Great Fall
11:10 Self-Promotion
11:55 Next Time

#bewarethebatman #humptydumpty #batman

Totally Schway: Episode 49 - For The Man Who Has Everything

Serum Lake 2025-05-11 | In this episode Luke and Mary talk about one of the best episodes of Justice League Unlimited and the comic book that it adapts, Superman Annual 11, by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

We'll also read your comments and questions from last time.

Chapters:
00:00:00 Intro & Some (Maybe?) DCAU News
00:02:49 For The Man Who Has Everything
00:33:35 Your comments and questions
01:31:44 Next Time

#superman #justiceleagueunlimited #forthemanwhohaseverything #dcau

If you enjoyed this episode make sure you check out Mary's video about Lois Lane over on her channel:
youtube.com/watch?v=CrkB5Zmj8p4&list=PL-OisFIjerSIGvNc-cYGTX_2vg8xsVlRS&index=7

And don't forget to pick up your own Totally Schway t-shirt, mug, phone case, or whatever from our new Tee Public Store: teepublic.com/user/serumlake

You can also join our Facebook group to get access to some exclusive posts:
facebook.com/groups/serumlake

Join this channel to get access to perks, including early access to my next video essay:
youtube.com/channel/UC0yFOXbX98P3qz-IvT7uRQQ/join

Willie Watt Had Great Power With No Responsibility | Batman Beyond

Serum Lake 2025-05-09 | Willie Watt wanted to be strong. He wanted the girl and he wanted respect. What he got was power, but without a shred of responsibility. This Batman Beyond villain channels Marvel Comics’ Peter Parker, but twists into something else, creating one of the show’s most pathetic villains.

In this video I’ll talk about Willie’s transformation, his toxic father, his monstrous Golem, and why he’s a cautionary tale wrapped in teenage delusion. From lonely outcast to psychokinetic menace, this is a story about what happens when a boy raised on dominance gains the strength to fight back and won't stop.

🔔 Subscribe for more in-depth reviews and analyses of your favourite DC cartoons and comic books!
👍 If you liked the video don't forget to like, share, and leave a comment!
🔔 Click the bell icon to stay updated on future content!
🌟 Become a member for exclusive perks and early access!
youtube.com/channel/UC0yFOXbX98P3qz-IvT7uRQQ/join
🎶 Music by @Katt Strike - listen to the whole track here: youtu.be/VKdA2lCjtas?si=pi0iWvL5bMCJupHL

To help support my channel (and read some cool Batman Beyond comics) you can pick up the Batman Beyond Compendium from Amazon using my affiliate link: amzn.to/4daDteb

This collection includes every in-continuity Batman Beyond comic that was written by series writer Hilary J Bader.

If you enjoyed this video why not checkout this video about The Batman of the Future, Terry McGinnis: youtube.com/watch?v=SwprWRrk8So&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr5ZJky_vn3JVk5QU-3TcprM&index=4

Chapters:
0:00 A Teenage Nightmare
0:50 How Spider-Man Influenced Willie Watt
1:46 The Role of Nelson Nash
2:32 The Role of Frank Watt
3:37 Golem
4:51 The Disastrous School Dance
7:40 Revenant
8:20 Willie's New Look
9:37 Willie's Final Fate
10:58 Conclusion
12:52 Self-Promotion
13:38 Next Time

Recommended videos:
How Marvel Comics Inspired Batman Beyond:
youtube.com/watch?v=dYyFWOx2C7A&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr5ZJky_vn3JVk5QU-3TcprM&index=3

Patrick The Ratboy is a Stalker:
youtube.com/watch?v=rg8MNn-UVOc&list=PL0YgbPmiDIr5ZJky_vn3JVk5QU-3TcprM&index=16

#BatmanBeyond #Batman #WillieWatt #batmanvillains #dccomics