DCAU Rewatch: Batman the Animated Series 8
The Forgotten
When Bruce Wayne hears word of disappearances among the most vulnerable and forgotten citizens of Gotham City, he goes undercover to investigate. When he is unexpectedly attacked at the docks, he awakes in an underground work camp–with no memory of his true identity.
Written by J. Dennis, R. Mueller and Sean Catherine Derek
Directed by Boyd Kirkland
Music by Shirley Walker
Animation Services by Dong Yang Animation Co., LTD.
Layout Services by NOA Animation
“The Forgotten” is another episode that bucks formula and expectation. Here we see BTAS wrestle with some heavier topics for a superhero cartoon. Batman is presented with the dehumanization of individuals experiencing homelessness. The result is another deliberately paced episode with an emphasis on Batman as detective and investigator, with minimal action. There is a long stretch early on of Bruce silently walking dark alleyways and empty docks to find out why so many of the most vulnerable in the city have gone missing.
It’s nice to see Bruce actively participating in work at a shelter, defying his carefully tailored public persona of a disengaged playboy. Both his taking time to volunteer and Batman’s concern for the homeless community speaks volumes for his character. Batman goes out of his way to help those experiencing homelessness–no part of his city is too beneath his notice. When no one else in the city even takes notice of these individuals going missing, Batman steps in. The dispossessed are perhaps even more important to him than the elite.
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