I’m so excited guys! This week we’ve finally gotten to my favorite episode of the show, and we’re going to tackle Beware the Gray Ghost. This is an episode that follows Batman getting help from his childhood hero the Gray Ghost to take down a villain who’s copying an old episode of the Gray Ghosts television show.
1. Adam West
There’s so much to say here. This episode got so much deeper the first time I learned that Adam West voiced the Gray Ghost, and now following his passing its message is only felt more. West brings such gravitas to this small role that makes Simon Trent feel utterly real. The fact that the story was genuinely inspired by West’s life after the 1966 Batman television show allows it to have such a weight with audience members who even if they didn’t grow up with West know about his contributions to the character. There’s also an interesting angle this episode explores where it’s Batman who acts as the audience stand in for once. Bruce’s affection and admiration for the Gray Ghost mirrors many people’s affection for both the Batman character and Adam West. When Bruce is telling the Gray Ghost that he was his hero it rings so true to what any fan would say to Batman if they actually got to meet him.
2. Humanization
Giving Batman a hero does an exorbitant amount of work in humanizing him. I remember watching this episode as a child and being so excited to learn that Bruce sat on his floor and watched cartoons as a child because that was me. There’s so much to relate to in a character who looks up to someone when you’re a child. Then as a you get older you can relate to the fact that sometimes the people you relate to aren’t who you thought you are. Honestly it’s simpler than that though, the simple love for another human being that’s the basis for the inspiration the child feels and the disappointment the adult feels is almost all pervasive and to find out that your hero works the same way you do is joy-inducing.
3. Passing the Torch
This episode acts as the passing of the torch for television batmen. Having two Batman titans such as Adam West and Kevin Conroy together is something I don’t know that anyone ever expected we’d get and I don’t expect we’ll see something that big happen again. The storytelling metaphor of the old hero going on one last adventure with the new one is made to feel absolutely real by the presence of these two juggernauts.
4. Pulp Influences
The pulp influences that were used to build the Gray Ghost such as the Shadow give this story an extra dynamic. Not only as it the passing of the torch from one Batman in Adam West to another in Kevin Conroy, but it’s also the passing of the torch from pulp heroes to super heroes. Pulp influences can be felt throughout, from the black and white of the flash back scenes to the old school gadgets used by the Gray Ghost. There are also several scenes where Gray Ghost memorabilia is used to point out the influence of pulp on the show itself. There are several posters depicting the Gray Ghost in the traditional position of Batman against the red moon.
5. The Animation
I don’t talk about the animators much on here, and usually if I do bring them up it’s to point out something they messed up or something I didn’t like. Today is different. The animation for this episode was never anything but superb. The scenes of the old Gray Ghost show feel real in that they move with absolute fluidity and are so dynamic. Many of the scenes of fire bring an actual life and warmth through the screen that’s palpable, however, their biggest achievement with this episode is just visualizing the emotions Conroy are West are portraying so that they can truly connect with the audience.
