Holiday Knights & The New Batman Adventures - Bat-May 

I love Gordon’s line at the cafe. “One of these years, I’m going to beat him to the check.” Just always felt like a fun character moment really demonstrating the lighter side of their relationship.

“You’re not the real Santy Clause!” “Sure I am. Wanna see my gun?” Easily one of my favorite Bullock lines. Such an underutilized character.

The final scene with Batman and Gordon has come to mean a lot more now that both Kevin Conroy and Bob Hastings are gone. "Well, here's to survival. Hopefully we'll be doing this again next year." "Hopefully."

Batman & Commissioner Gordon having coffee together is just so awesome. All we seen them do is work together to stop criminals, so seeing them just have a sit down together and toss work out of the way adds a lot to their relationship

*Fun fact:* The Joker's menacing tape reappeared in the "Batman Beyond" movie, but with the awful TNBA's design being replaced for the better one he would have in the rest of the DCAU

Ivy: "I'll bet you've been a good little Batboy this year. Unfortunately, Harley and I are still on the naughty list" Harley: "Come on up and get your presents"

Poison Ivy: "Seasons Greeting, Brucie. Your two favorite party girls are out for some Christmas fun"

The scene in the diner with Batman and Gordon is still one of the all time greats in the feelz department that just grows better with time, aging like a fine wine.

As a late 90s and early 2000s kid This is the batman I grew up with more so than the original animated series which I would see here and there on different channels Loved KidsWB and that era of television

"SHoot the Santa!" "You wouldn't..." is one of the best lines.

I like how Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy became really good friends who brought out good qualities from each other. Plus, they get to buy clothes with Bruce's Bat Credit Card.

Man wouldve love seeing the Creeper teaming up with The Bat Family...shame he never speaked again after his episode! I liked this episode seeing 3 stories in different times!

I love the bookend of Batman and Gordon celebrating a year of survival, as most people do, but Bullock and Montoya going undercover in the Clayface segment is also pretty great

Don’t forget about Joker’s 3 new henchmen, Mo, Lar and Cur. A fun homage to The Three Stooges.

For a batch of episodes that pales in comparison to the first, this is an incredible episode. And around Christmas time? Absolute banger

I like episodes like Holiday Knights. The interactions between the various heroes and villains around the holiday was a nice touch. Each segment was great, although the Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy was my favorite.

Ivy: "Merry Christmas, darling" Harley: "And a Happy New Year, chump!"

Cant think of a better way to start the week than with a new era from this amazing series done by this incredible team!

Tara Strong is the best voice actress and she still going on always glad to hear her in this series

I absolutely love the epilogue of this episode. It's just 2 old friends drinking coffee celebrating another year of survival

Bruce having black or brown eyes is honestly the best decision for design.

I love the scene with Batman and Gordon licking their wounds and taking a few minutes to just talk. Such a perfect scene

Gordon and batman sitting for coffee was just so awesome and the music was nice

This is honestly my favorite episode of the whole DCAU, and Batman & Gordon’s line at the end hurts now that Conroy is gone

It's still a little hard to get used to the redesigns when the original Dark Deco look was so iconic.

Gordon: "One of these years, I'm going to beat him to the check"

Christmas with the Joker will always be the first holiday episode that comes to my mind when I think of Batman holiday stories. However this episode is also a lot of fun! I love the different whacky segments and random Villains. Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Clayface, and Joker of course. They each get wonderful moments to shine . There’s a lot of good whacky jokes too. This is an excellent episode!

Joker: "I love New Year's Eve! So many happy faces!"

Tara Strong as Batgirl a great choice!! Yet i missed the cool title cards!

I just like how you get a kind of "Original Dynamic Duo" vibe when Batman and Gordon share a New Years tradition like they do. It makes them look like more than just partners, but like friends.

yep that Ivy is not our "Ivy"... but a plant clone. The lore of the cartoon and comic books explain that.. our TAS Ivy is free somewhere in the world , retired from the criminal life. Beside that, HATED with passion the change and still today with 3 exception: scarecrow (of course") Freeze fate as lesser human than before, and Mad Hatter (better and more evil). I loved nothing else... and like the kid i was at that time : "Buuuhhhhhhhh" to all.

Bat-May presents Holiday Knights. One of my all-time favorite TNBA episodes. 🤩 I always try to watch it each year on 1/1, preferably before 1 AM. What an amazing way to start the week.

The sequence between Bullock and Mary MacSweeny will always to me be the best part of the episode. Not only does it give us a view of a more softer Bullock, but the sequence funny because Bullock's sheer awkwardness at dealing with the daughter of not just a criminal, but one Bullock put away personally.

Getting Bruce's credit cards is practically a gold mine for any criminal. Let alone Ivy and Harley.

Let the new Bat era begin!

The coffee meet up for new years day is my favorite scene in tnba. I watch this episode every Christmas

5:42 The theory (since it hasn't been confirmed as canon) that Ivy looks different b/c she's a clone doesn't work for three reasons: 1) It doesn't explain why all the other characters also look different. 2) The redesigns are featured in flashbacks that precede the events of BTAS, such as when Harley sees Joker & Ivy for the first time in "Mad Love". 3) A doppelganger is supposed to actually resemble the original person in order to fool everyone, including the World's Greatest Detective.

Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy's shopping spree was adorable to me. I like seeing them just hang out and being friends. And I always laugh at Bruce's clearly anger building up as he's signing all of those receipts while under the mind control.

I would set the Mr. Freeze segment between Heart of Ice and Deep Freeze. He hadn't found his wife yet, and would still presume her to be dead. The only glaring issue would be how he gets his suit back.

8:03 Pretty sure Ivey didn't need to use her hypnotic powers on Harley to convince her.

I'm glad you noted how much more leeway KidsWB gave the Bat Crew compared to Fox. This episode, you could say, set the tone on what they could get away with in this revamp. You had a bit more liberties in showing blood and violence. Had some risque material with Babs changing into her Batsuit in the mall. You even had characters exclaiming phrases like "OMG." (Yes people, this was not a phrase daytime cartoon characters said, especially in the mid 90s, lol) The next 23 episode seemed like they were trying to test just how far they could push the envelope with the KidsWB censors, lol!

This was a fantastic episode and can't wait to see through it all with you guys!

Poison Ivy after hypnotizing Bruce: "I have to admit it, Harley. We hit the ultimate nail on the head with this guy! Let's see what riches this made-in-Italy wallet hides." Harley Quinn: "YAY. This is the most perfect Christmas I could have ever imagined! Not only am I spending it with my bestie, but also financially ruining Gotham's richest man!" 😊 Poison Ivy: "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me...? Wait, why does Wayne have a bat-credit card?!"

Whenever I run through the series, I save this one for last, partly because of the continuity issues (new Robin and Clayface appearing before the episodes that explain their origin/return bugs me) and the final segment serves as a perfect capper to the season and the series.

cant wait to hear Walter's thoughts on the new scarecrow design :)

The episode begins and ends in the same place, Joe's Tavern, which is opposite the Gotham Hotel where Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy were staying.

Poison Ivy: "Merry Christmas, Darling." Harley Quinn: "And a Happy New year, Bats." Batman: "Why are all the gorgeous ones homicidal maniacs is it me?" Internal dialogue: 'How did I ever get lucky with the beautful Sirens of Gotham. Selina, Pamela, and Harley.' This could have been the best way to introduce Jason Todd/Red hood into the story. Sadly that never came to be and there was an original idea to even be in nocturna, aka the vampire lady, as well but it wasn't meant to be and we had to get the version of Red Hood story much later in the comic book format. 10:14 😂 is my favorite moment from this episode.

There is plenty to talk about, but for now, I just want to say our “Santa” was a delight. “Sure I’m the real Santa. Want to see my gun?” If it was anyone else, this would be a concerning line. But coming from him… ok yeah, can’t help but smile a bit there.

The simpler art style in TNBA allowed for more consistently good animation. That was the trade-off they made. And you really notice the difference in the action scenes, easily outclassing BTAS in that regard.

From what I gathered, the reason why they removed all the colors from Joker's face is because they wanted to give him a "laughing skull" look. I admit that's a cool idea, that was sadly poorly executed. What's funny is that Mark Hamill would later on voice an actual laughing skull, when he voiced Skeletor in "Master of the Universe: Revelation".

This was actually my first introduction to the series after my dad showed me them. I'd spend hours watching them and Holiday Knights is actually one of my favourites

10:17 gets me everytime 😂

One thing I *will* give this new series is the progression of Bruce Wayne's character. While his decisions aren't written that strong, his personality is transitioning more into the "no fucks given" personality we see on display in Batman Beyond, and I LOVE it.

Overall I like most of the redesigns, Scarecrow, Batgirl, and Freeze being the biggest improvements imho. And I like how some of them could be explained in-universe, like Ivy being a plant clone or Penguin getting reconstructive surgery for his deformities. But then you have Joker and Catwoman and Ventriloquist and Riddler...yeah, there's no defending those.

I watch this every Christmas

I like this Tim Drake and Robin version. I always found it strange that they talk about "Boy Wonder" while Robin were a grow up man. Or at least look old. Tim Drake was young so the name fits.

One of my top 10 favorite episodes, I watch it every Christmas

Welcome to TNBA and man i like this style....yet not as much as the classic BTAS style

I'll be right back. About to go watch the episode, then this😎

I’m not gonna lie, I’m gonna be Frank, I’m gonna be controversial… but I might be the only person in the world who liked Jokers redesign in the new adventures; idk man, the previous design and later design are MUCH superior, but this one has charm to it and is so expressive, I dig it

Something else to note is that, with these redesigns, many of the characters, especially the female character, lack the variety seen in BTAS. However, I think it allowed the animation to be more consistent.

I never really minded the redesigns. Of course I prefer most of the older ones, but I was never put off by the changes. It was still an awesome show.

New comment: It's weird how much BTAS/TNBA loves setting stories during Christmas. Aside from this and "Christmas With the Joker", there's quite a few in the tie in comics: The Batgirl one-shot, the Holiday Special this episode is based on, and even one with Riddler.

Getting rid of the yellow oval on Batman's chest felt like a step back for me. I remember the episode The Mechanic where he doesn't have the oval in the flashback, so it was like he was going backwards on the suit design.

I grew up with this version of Batman, more than the original animated series. While I did watch the reruns of the original, the clashing of styles had me confused most times. Even mixing the shows up with Disney’s Gargoyles. Once I was older, I was able to appreciate each series for their styles and writing, so I was never super upset over the changes, and made me more open to animation styles changing in shows, like the changes made for American Dragon: Jake Long.

I respect everyones effort and work for this series, still nothing can top the style and the designs of the original Batman the animated series

In a slight defence of the Joker’s new look: the way the redesign whites out the eyes does remind the audience that the Joker’s make up serves a dual function of both gimmick and disguise the same way as Batman’s cowl.

Love that blooper at the end! Definitely add some more!

One of the small changes for TNBA that I didn't enjoy was Bruce Wayne not really changing his voice from Batman. I can understand that they wanted Bruce Wayne to be less "goofy rich playboy" this go-round, but I wish there was still some vocal distinction.

Everyone talking about Batman and Gordon having coffee and talking. I any say what hasn't already been said on it, it's a great scene. So instead I'll just point out how much I enjoy scenes like that in general, because there's an episode of the Justice League Animated Series where Batman and Superman are just sitting in the Batmobile talking and having coffee. I love little quick scenes like it. Remind everyone that Batman is still human and is capable of taking breaks, however short, and just talk things out with those he considers friends. I love that he has a yearly arrangement with Gordon to have coffee and talk, and I love that he's pretty open enough with Superman to hang out and talk over coffee in the Batmobile (even if they were technically on a stakeout).

I thought Holiday Knights was a fun Christmas episode, I loved the scene where Harley and Ivy are buying everything in the store with the 12 days of Christmas playing all jazzed up while Bruce is angrily paying for their stuff with his credit cards. I couldn't stop laughing at that. The ending with Batman and Gordon having a coffee on New Years Eve as they toast each other to another year of survival is a very bittersweet moment as we have now lost both Bob Hastings and Kevin Conroy. A great way to kick off the TNBA but i feel that this should have been the second episode and Sins Of The Father should have been the first one

The description of Ivy as originally being imagined as a "nymph-like being" makes sense if you rewatch the episode "Pretty Poison." Batman's file on Pamela Isley gives her height as being 5' 2" though the art makes her look taller than that.

8:26 I love how he looks more annoyed than angry

I must be one of the only people that actually liked Joker's redesign. I think the Justice League version is the best of all, but the TNBA design actually doesn't bother me. Maybe it's because it was the first I saw, but especially in the final scene of "Mad Love," those sharp features and coal-black eyes were chilling.

i guess you can say it's *The New Bat-may Spring-ventures* that's the best pun i could think of

"Jabba the Clause"!!! I'm wheezing!!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I’m personally not a fan of the TNBA redesigns in general. But not only it was necessary to match the look of STAS, but the new streamlined designs probably made it easier for the animation to have a more consistently uniform look.

I like some of the redesigns - Batman looks more imposing and menacing without looking bulky, which goes also for Nightwing, while Robin and Batgirl give a feeling of being the more physically nimble characters (which makes sense in Barbara's case, since she's a gymnast). As for the villains, it's a mixed bag. I'm no fan of the Joker's design, but I do kinda like villains like Poison Ivy, Scarecrow and Bane here.

And so a new saga begins.

I like that Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker reuses Joker's new year's threat with Joker's redesign

The blue eyes were supposed to be nanotech contact lenses. Allowing Bruce Wayne to see and scan things without the mask.

Wow! Despite the strange design changes, this episode, and the show were still awesome!

I remember having a problem both with New Robin's giant bug eyes, and with him being so small! I know he's been a kid before, but from Burt Ward in the 60s to Loren Lester's version when BTAS started, (to even the Jason Todds in between) I was more familiar with Robins that were at least teenage-age or older. To see a literal child beating up grown-ass men, stretched credulity like never before. I like the Clayface entry best because I'm Clayface stan, the use of Bullock and Montoya was funny, and Batgirl was one change I thought was an improvement. From this new tone, it didn't look like the New Adventures was going to be quite what it used to be, but I also remember just being happy that Batman was back, and most of the voice actors returned.

It is sad that there has been such a huge following for Harley and Ivy but only a much smaller Cult one for Rene Montoya! I always loved her character and felt she was a much better and less cliched one. I felt Barbera went to batman and her father. She was more openly compassionate like her father but much more competant in her meothods like Batman. I felt Rene on the other hand was simialr but for Bollock. She had the more real, gritty life understandanding of Gothem that Bollock had but also had more dignity and respect for the system like Gordan. Rene understood that things are not the simple, black and white nature we wish they could be when handling society but also that there still needs to be some effort unifrom order to make things better. She had an independent mind and could hold her own, was intellegent and resourceful, would and could do what was needed in the moment to save the day, but also held herself with a professional deamenor and respect when appropriate. She was one of the few people I would believe could regularly lay critical jabs on Bollock for his flaws and not see him get angry at. When I first read the orgional Batman VS. Predator comic as a kid, there was a female cop at the right hand of Gordan who acted a bit like Montoya and got killed to keep Jim safe. I think she was just a character invented for that one storyline as a fridge girl, but at the time, I thought it was supposed to be Rene Montoya and I was GENUINLY upset! Her being killed off like that freaked me out and I couldn't finish reading the story right away. She didnt have the biggest part in the show but when she did I always felt she shined and was glad to see her! I think it didn't hurt that she reminded me a bit of Elisa Maza from Gargoyles as well. They were both competant and independent cops who were firm but also had heart. Rene could berate Harvey for being a slob while on duty but also show genuine compassion toward a victim in need of help. She had clear character convictions. Its easier to write soneone who can turn on a dime and do anything crazy you need them to for a laugh, but to make a character who has defined rules to thier personality compelling is something more special. Everyone likes Harley by her nature and that is for a reason..but I feel Rene deserves more credit than she gets from the fanbase by comparison. Harley is the big fat piece of cheap sugar filled cake you cant help but love while Rene was more like a gourmet delicacy. You can always eat up Harley's antics and enjoy them without thinking much but if you allow yourself to savor the subtle flavor of Rene's actions and personality, you will find it superior on many levels.

Fun Fact: In the Clayface sequence, Barbara was going to change out in the open,but censors didn't approve

I forgot that New Batman Adventures no longer had title cards. We need to see title cards make a comeback. Also, that blooper at the end. =P

I never saw Holiday Knights during the original run of the New Batman Adventures, and I was obsessively watching KidsWB like a hawk when I heard it was coming back. The series started off right with Tim Drake’s origin. And I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I loved the dead eyed Joker. Loved it. I understand why it didn’t land with some people, and I don’t care. I still love it.

Cant wait to see u guys cover "over the edge" episode in BAT-MAY

7:35-7:37 This is, I think, one of the visuals that got a lot of fans really into Harley.

Just once, I wish they would have poked fun at Batmans disappearing act by having Gordon make a point to not take his eye off batman the entire time only for something either to come along for the distraction or even funnier, Batman just casually leaves while making a remark about that spoiling his only bit of fun out of the job or something XD

The final story with just Bats and Gordon in the diner is my favorite. I also love the Jimmy Olsen cameo in the Joker story

I will admit, when I first saw the New Batman Adventures, I was thrown off by the redesigns of various characters (especially Joker's redesign) but at least they kept most of the cast from the animated series to keep the excitement going. The part where Batman and Gordon are having coffee on New Year's Day seemed wholesome in the end. Looking forward to seeing the other reviews for the remaining episodes

I wonder how much of the redesigns were Bruce Timm honestly not liking them & how much was orders from the top-down on cost-cutting measures. I mean, you won your Emmys with those BTAS designs & literally NO ONE was complaining about them

in regards to the masks bit, i have another quote to give, though i do not remember the origination of said quote. "people hide how they truly are, give them a mask and they will tell you anything." and when you give a bunch of new year's partygoers a mask of any kind, they'll take it just so they can save face the morning afterward.

The writers made an effort to keep Batman's dialogue as terse and grim as possible: *in order to heighten the contrast between him and the lighthearted supporting cast,* this also highlighted his character change from the original series.

Poison Ivy also gave Steven Carlyle a mind controlling kiss in House & Garden.

And so TNBA begins! 🫡

I like to put this on along with my usual round of other Holiday themed shows/movies.

Batman and Gordon at the dinner. It said a lot about their relationship. And I can’t imagine Batman going to the dinner alone, because Gordon passed away.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it. I’d love to see this formula applied to the Superman series, as well as Batman Beyond, the movies, the crossover special with Superman, and Justice League. Not to mention the Static Shock series.