The World's Finest Presents
Episode #031 - The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy
Original Airdate - October 14th, 1992

Batman investigates a theft of bearer bonds intended for the starving people of Byelocroatia. One suspect is Baron Waclow Jozek, a European nobleman. He confronts Jozek, who tells him that Josiah Wormwood, the 'deathtrap specialist', is responsible for theft. Jozek contacts Wormwood and sets him a task; to use his talents to get Batman's cape and cowl. 

Media by Borg4of3
Review by Robin III
Credits
Written by Elliot S. Maggin
Directed by Frank Paur
Music Composed by Beth Ertz, Mark Kovel
Animation by Dong Yang Animation Co., LTD.

Voices
Kevin Conroy as Batman
Bob Hastings as Commissioner Gordon
Bud Cort as Wormwood
John Rhys-Davies as Jozek
Gaille Heidemann as Matron
Mark Taylor as MC Whirter

Screen Grabs







Pans



Quotes
BATMAN: I want information from you. By the way, I hope you're not afraid of heights.
--
WORMWOOD: All right. I'll get you the Batman's cape and Cowl. That won't be difficult. He is only human after all.
--
BATMAN: Got a new toy, I see.
BATMAN TURNS OFF THE BATSIGNAL.
GORDON: I figured it might come in handy.
BATMAN: It might get you in trouble with the mayor.
--
BATMAN (reading note): "Where iron horses go to rot and children toot their horns a lot, a damsels pleas shall come to naught."
GORDON: Do you know what it means?
BATMAN: Don't you?
--
WORMWOOD: I don't actually know how hot 20,000 watts make a room, but I do know it melts wax. . . And eventually it will melt you.
--
WORMWOOD: Congratulations, but don't breathe to deeply, Batman! It seems that when you shattered the lamp, you triggered the release of a toxic nerve gas from a tank in the ceiling. Now, your cape and cowl, please?
--
WORMWOOD: Now, what will you do with the cape and cowl?
JOZEK BEGINS TO RISE FROM HIS CHAIR, A BLUE AND BLACK LUMPY FORM.
JOZEK: Heh heh heh heh. . . I am going. . .
THE BLUE AND BLACK FORM BECOMES BATMAN'S SILHOUETTE.
BATMAN: . . . to wear them!
--
GORDON: Oh, I almost forgot. This came for you.
GORDON HANDS WORMWOOD A PACKAGE THROUGH THE CELL BARS.
WORMWOOD (reading note on package): "Confinement will speed your reform but long cold nights will be the norm so here's a thing to keep you warm."? What the--
WORMWOOD OPENS THE PACKAGE TO REVEAL BATMAN'S CAPE AND COWL. HE THROWS THEM ACROSS THE ROOM AS THE NOTE UNROLLS TO REVEAL THE BATSYMBOL AT THE BOTTOM.


Review: This story was extremely well done. It was pure Batman detective work and traditional Batman style. Batman actually leapt over the side of buildings in this and disappeared like the comics, and there was the best scenes at the end where Batman first traps Wormwood in his own game, and them mocks him at the end in jail. Batman even subtly made fun of Gordon's intelligence when he couldn't solve Wormwood's riddle, and the fact that Gordon could get in trouble with the mayor for associating with Batman was great. It is just classic Batman!

The animation was not too special, but it was pretty consistent. It's nothing to brag about, but it's not really something to complain about either. The episode would have been perfect in the Heart of Ice or On Leather Wings style.

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