Beware the Batman: Control

"Control" Beware the Batman  Cartoon Network, 21 September 2013

 -recap time. Remember Dr. Jason Burr and the whole cortex thing? It's going to play a part in this.





-We see Cypher attacking an old man with his day glow tentacles. Cypher is another obscure Bat foe, created by Chuck Dixon and Michael Netzer back in 1993.   We see the old man doing the zombie shuffle down the street. Rather effective, especially when the only thing the old man says is "he has my mind"

-But we have to cut to a training sequence between Batman and Katana. Rather good, and I liked the use of moving platforms. The training has to stop though as Jason is calling Katana. She doesn't seem too enthused by this, but she leaves all the same.

-At Burr's lab, we see Cypher taking control of the guards. Burr is getting ready for Katana's arrival (the Bunsen burner candles are a nice touch) when Cypher attacks.  

 -Burr (clearly not in his right mind) says he has a 'big surprise' for Katana. Well that's not creepy at all.

 - Also, it seems the first victim was William Benjamin, a big shot architect, who happens to have designed the Wayne Industries Building...where the Ion Cortex is located.

-Back at the lab, we see what the big surprise is: Burr has finished a prototype of the cortex. He also uses it to make the lights of a nearby office building arrange themselves to make a giant picture of Katana's face. Which is nice, but what about the people in the building? Wouldn't they kind of annoyed if they lights suddenly went out? Plus, didn't Katana fake her death to hide from the League of Assassins? Wouldn't she be a bit put out if a 30 story tall picture of herself appeared in a major urban area?

-Batman shows up as Cypher makes off with Burr. Why do so many office buildings in these genres have air vents big enough for an adult to walk though?

-Cypher is now in full control of Burr. Rather creepy sequence I have to say.

-Of course Katana promptly ignores Bat's advice is now captured. Cypher manages to hold the idiot ball though when he orders Bats to handcuff himself. No searching, no making him toss the utility belt away...yeah I'm sure he'll just stay there forever.

-Cypher takes control of Batman, but of course he manages to shrug it off.

-Katana's kiss short circuits things?

-Of course we have the shocking ending. Cypher is now in control of Burr! Although Katana and Batman (and the architect) seem to be fine. Cypher was shocked, but Burr was free by that point.   


As a funny aside, the first victim happens to look almost exactly Cypher did back in the comics. 

Next time, the return of Anarky and Lady Shiva