The Animated Series’ Best Episode Still Holds Up 33 Years Later

The greatest episode of Batman: The Animated Series aired over three decades ago and still holds up today. When DC’s Batman: The Animated Series premiered in 1992, it changed the way audiences thought about superhero animation. 33years later, its pinnacle is still remembered as the best example of how the series elevated superhero animation into art.

Batman: TAS was celebrated for its dark, stylish tone and for being deeply mature for a Saturday morning cartoon. Indeed, the series treated its subject matter with respect and intelligence. It gave Batman’s world depth and nuance, introducing kids and adults alike to a Gotham that felt both gothic and timeless.

Across 85 Batman: TAS episodes, there are plenty of classics, from “Heart of Ice” to “Over the Edge.” Yet one installment has always stood above the rest. Premiering in November 1992, one episode remains the show’s masterpiece, perfectly balancing action, character, and clever storytelling.

“Almost Got ‘Im” Is The Best Episode Of Batman: The Animated Series

Batman: TAS season 1, episode 46, “Almost Got ‘Im,” is the greatest episode the show offered in its extensive run. It has a deceptively simple premise that instantly grabs the viewers’ attention. The episode unfolds in a seedy Gotham nightclub, where some of Batman’s greatest villains gather to play cards and swap stories.

The Joker, Penguin, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, and Killer Croc take turns describing the times they nearly defeated the Dark Knight. Each tale plays out in flashbacks, offering a rapid-fire series of mini Batman adventures. What makes “Almost Got ’Im” special is the way it captures the essence of the rogues’ gallery.

Each villain’s story reflects their personality. Penguin’s involves elaborate death traps, Joker’s revels in chaos, and Croc’s is laughably simplistic (“I threw a rock at him!”). The structure lets viewers enjoy multiple Batman set pieces while also diving into the psychology of his adversaries.

The episode then delivers a brilliant twist ending. Batman himself is revealed to be hiding among the criminals all along in an attempt to find Catwoman. It’s a perfect encapsulation of the show’s blend of pulp noir, clever plotting, and character-driven storytelling.

Why “Almost Got ‘Im” Beats Every Other Episode Of Batman: The Animated Series

While Batman: The Animated Series is filled with iconic episodes, “Almost Got ’Im” stands out because it captures the entire spirit of the show in just 22 minutes. Most episodes focus on a single villain or theme. Yet this one gives audiences a whirlwind tour of Gotham’s underworld.

It’s essentially an anthology within an episode, offering multiple tones, scenarios, and action sequences without ever feeling rushed. The writing is razor sharp, balancing humor, suspense, and tension in equal measure. Killer Croc’s infamous punchline is still quoted, while the Joker’s sinister scheme with a giant electric chair remains chilling decades later.

The twist, with Batman using disguise and deception to outwit his enemies, also plays directly into his identity as the world’s greatest detective. What really cements “Almost Got ’Im” as the best, is how effortlessly it balances accessibility with sophistication. Kids could enjoy the humor and action, while adults could appreciate the wit and layered characterizations.

“Almost Got ‘Im” Shows DC’s New Animated Focus Is The Right Move For The Franchise

Revisiting “Almost Got ’Im” today makes it clear why DC is once again leaning heavily into animation. The episode showcases the strengths of animated storytelling in ways that live-action often struggles to replicate. The rogues’ gallery can be portrayed at its most colorful and expressive, while Batman’s world of shadows and gothic architecture feels larger than life.

The storytelling is compact yet layered, offering multiple adventures without the limitations of budgets or effects. This is especially relevant as DC pivots to its new animated projects under James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe plan. Titles like Creature Commandos and Batman: Caped Crusader pushed animation to the forefront, just as Batman: The Animated Series did in the ’90s.

Moreover, “Almost Got ‘Im” exemplifies the draw of DC’s villains. James Gunn’s upcoming DC projects (Clayface, and the Bane and Deathstoke movie) spotlight some of the most iconic villains in the pantheon. This is almost exclusive to the DCU, with very few Marvel villains capable of fronting a movie or series. “Almost Got ‘Im” proved that this focus could be triumphant years earlier.

Indeed, “Almost Got ’Im” proves that animation can tell definitive, enduring superhero stories that rival or even surpass live-action. For Batman audiences, the episode is a reminder that the Dark Knight often shines brightest in animation. It demonstrates how the medium allows for stylistic risks, genre-bending storytelling, and heightened character work. These can be harder to achieve in film.

However, the DCU can readily explore then in its numerous confirmed animated projects (including Mister Miracle, Blue Beetle and Creature Commandos season 2). 33 years later, “Almost Got ’Im” is more than just a highlight of Batman: The Animated Series. It’s a roadmap for why DC’s renewed focus on animation is the right move for the franchise’s future.

Batman: The Animated Series

9/10

Release Date

1992 – 1995-00-00

Network

FOX, Fox Kids

Showrunner

Bruce Timm

Directors

Kevin Altieri, Boyd Kirkland, Frank Paur, Dan Riba, Dick Sebast

Writers

Michael Reaves, Brynne Stephens, Randy Rogel, David Wise, Len Wein, Marty Isenberg, Richard Mueller, Sam Graham, Peter Morwood, Dennis O’Neil, Carl Swenson, Beth Bornstein, Steve Hayes, Chris Hubbell, Martin Pasko, Henry Gilroy, Elliot S. Maggin, Eddie Gorodetsky, Diane Duane

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  Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

  Alfred Pennyworth (voice)