As Batman works to take down Red Claw, Catwoman’s pursuit to save an environmental preserve brings these opposing forces into an uneasy alliance.
Credits
Story by S.C. Derek & L. Bright
Teleplay by J. Dennis & R. Mueller
Directed by D. Sebast
Supervising Composer Shirley Walker
Music Composed by Harvey Cohen
Animation Services by Akom Production Co.
Layout Services by NOA Animation
One thing I tend to overlook on this show is its directing, the way the camera moves and shots are staged. Even in some sloppier episodes, we can get some stunning imagery. The opening of this episode, where the camera pans down from the moon and gothic skyline down through the trees and to the nervous gangster walking through the park, is gorgeous. Some old-school animation tools to create the illusion of depth there. And of course, the backgrounds always look great.
The opening scene where Batman is pressing the gangster is solid stuff. Like I said last week, I wish this episode focused more on the Gotham underworld and its connection to the crooked corporations as opposed to the silly ecoterrorist stuff. Where the last episode was a lot of fun characterization and playful banter between Batman and Catwoman, this one focuses a lot more on straight-up action and Red Claw’s plan to release a germ weapon. And it is all the worse for it.
There’s a nice subtle parallel between Batman and Catwoman midway through, where Selina and Bruce each go back home, chat with their assistants, and suit up for their nightly prowl. It’s done in a way that doesn’t feel intentional because it is so natural to each character, but the structure of the two scenes is so similar it’s undeniable. It’s smart storytelling that furthers the plot but tells us about each of the two characters and their similarities—despite being on opposite ends of the law.
Nothing about Red Claw is compelling or sensible at all, but it’s made just a bit more tolerable because the two-parter is truly about the relationship between Batman and Catwoman. I’ll echo my previous sentiment that I wish we got just a little bit more about Catwoman the thief and less on Catwoman the environmentalist, because that’s where the most fertile storytelling is between these two characters but the attraction is clear nonetheless. And seeing Catwoman’s heroic side makes her more appealing to Batman in the end.