Like many, I rank "Heart of Ice" as one of the very best episodes of Batman: The Animated Series. The new, tragic origin for Mister Freeze gave him a motivation and gravitas that the villain never had before. He came off cool but somewhat goofy in the comics and the Batman TV show, but with this episode, he rose to the top tier of the Dark Knight's rogues gallery. Fortunately, the comics followed suit and adapted his animated history for stories going forward.
Was it really too on the nose to call it "In cold blood"?
ReplyDeleteJUST wait till Tim gets here.
Arrrgh! Tobor stole the words right out of my mouth.
ReplyDeleteOh, well. I'll console myself by agreeing with you, Ross. Every reason you cited for the cult-popularity of that episode is spot on. There is one more thing that should be pointed out, however. The vocal delivery of the late, great Michael Ansara. Without him providing the emotionally frigid tone of voice, to this new incarnation of Mr. Freeze, the latter might not have achieved that delicate balance between sympathetic and scary.
In fact, in some ways, he's even scarier than the Joker!
I guess I'm next in line for the "previous poster stole my thought" chain. Cary hit on Michael Ansara's brilliant, irreplaceable vocal performance as a big part of what gave the character the popularity he now has. (The new backstory even became a part of what made Arnold Schwarzenegger's performance in Batman & Robin one of the few good things about that movie.)
ReplyDeleteP.S. @ Horsefeathers: If Mr. Freeze was part of the Suicide Squad, I wonder who the Vulture would have to recruit, for the Sinister Six, in order to counteract him? Heat Wave, maybe?
ReplyDelete@Carycomic- Paste Pot Pete? adhesive that cold couldn't shatter. OR
ReplyDeleteEnchantress to steal his mind off his wife? (an Amora assault to be sure)
Negatory on that second one. I don't think there's enough Chapstick in the world to keep her from permanently puckering to his lips.*
ReplyDelete*And, being Asgardian, I don't think she'd quite grasp the meaning of "triple dog dare."
o I don't know. She is magic and has probably seen M.A.S.H. so she knows the popularity and value of Hot Lips.
ReplyDeleteOnly if one could "Trapper" into watching it. ;-)
ReplyDelete