Batman: The Animated Series (TV Series) I Am the Night (1992) User Reviews

Beneath the cowl is a genuine human being

[Mr-Fusion · 9/10 · 9 January 2017]

One of the things I've always loved about The Animated Series is that it never really puts Bruce Wayne in the backseat to any villain. And 'I Am the Night' is precisely that sort of character study that the show just seems to get right, revealing the flawed person inside the costume. As mean as he can be in the pursuit of justice (or to the people around him) his intentions are pure, and no one could possibly be harder on themselves than he is. Just when he's wracked with inner turmoil and self-doubt, Gotham steps in to show just how badly he's needed. Brilliant use of Commissioner Gordon to really hammer home that point, and overall a very touching episode.

9/10

Remarkable episode full of character

[nurikochan · 8/10 · 21 October 2020]

It's amazing how in the span of about 20 minutes we can get a rare look into Bruce's headspace and what he's feeling. The path he chose to follow by becoming Batman is taking it's toll, and he has to consider if this life-consuming calling is truly for him, or not.

Bruce is blessed to have Alfred and Dick in his life. There wasn't a load of time to do so but in only a few scenes we can see how much these two very important people affect him and are affected by him. And of course, we see his relationship with Jim Gordon - another important person in his life.

Definitely one of the better and more meaningful episodes in the series.

It's Nice To Feel Appreciated & Productive

[ccthemovieman-1 · 9/10 · 7 January 2009]

This was one of the those old-fashioned crime caper stories that was like a film noir - good stuff. Jimmy "The Jazz Man" Peake is out to kill Commissioner Gordon and he almost succeeds.

We have the great cars, machine guns blazing, tough talk. It's right out of a James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, or Edward G. Robinson gangster film from the '30s or '40s, or a Dick Powell or Sterling Hayden noir of the 40s and '50s.

Batman, though, is going through a kind of depression. It seems crime never ends no matter what he does. He also has to put up with that jerk Harvey Dent, who's always on his case and seems to hate him. Batman is really bummed, and wonders if it is all worth it. In the end - which is a bit hokey, I have to admit - at least he is reassured he's needed.

Some "name" actors like Seth Green, Melissa Gilbert and Diana Muldaur do voice work here but the best is a guy named Brian George, who voices The Jazzman. He does a great job and has done a lot of voices over the years.

My Fave Episode of the Series!

[vze3vhtf · 9/10 · 9 November 2014]

B:TAS is in my opinion pound-for-pound the BEST TV series of the past 30 years.

And ' IAtN ' is my fave Ep of the series.

It is so full of brooding pathos, and such a vivid portrait of Batman's tortured soul, and later, his redemption, that it is everything that the Batman Series is supposed to be.

I give it a 9 only b/c Mark Hamill's Joker is not in it ;-).

BTW: In an interesting coincidence, today is 9 NOV 2014: 22 years to the day that this Ep first aired.

M

Batman gets his mojo back

[Fluke_Skywalker · 7/10 · 9 March 2017]

Plot; On the anniversary of his parents' murder, Bruce Wayne begins to wonder if his actions as Batman have made any difference.

Batman is so unshakably dedicated to his mission that it's always a bit jarring when we see him have doubts as he does here. In a melancholy mood already due to the anniversary of his parents' murder, he's sent deeper into a funk when his friend and ally Jim Gordon is seriously wounded. This, and the fact that said wound is a gunshot wound, really make this pretty heavy stuff for an afternoon kids' cartoon.

I think this is a storyline that really needed a two-parter to better sell Batman/Bruce's flirtation w/hanging up the cape, but as it stands it's a solid character beat for our title character.

• Melissa Gilbert and a young Seth Green both provide voices, the former as Barbara Gordon.