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Batman: The Animated Series
S2.E9
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IMDbPro

Trial

  • Episode aired May 16, 1994
  • Unrated
  • 22m
IMDb RATING
9.1/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
Mark Hamill in Batman: The Animated Series (1992)
Hand-Drawn AnimationHard-boiled DetectiveSuperheroUrban AdventureActionAdventureAnimationCrimeFamilyMystery

A district attorney who loathes Batman is forced to defend him in a twisted parody of a trial run by the inmates of Arkham Asylum who have seized control and taken them both prisoner.A district attorney who loathes Batman is forced to defend him in a twisted parody of a trial run by the inmates of Arkham Asylum who have seized control and taken them both prisoner.A district attorney who loathes Batman is forced to defend him in a twisted parody of a trial run by the inmates of Arkham Asylum who have seized control and taken them both prisoner.

  • Director
    • Dan Riba
  • Writers
    • Paul Dini
    • Bruce Timm
    • Bob Kane
  • Stars
    • Kevin Conroy
    • Bob Hastings
    • Liane Schirmer
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    9.1/10
    2.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Dan Riba
    • Writers
      • Paul Dini
      • Bruce Timm
      • Bob Kane
    • Stars
      • Kevin Conroy
      • Bob Hastings
      • Liane Schirmer
    • 3User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Photos4

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    Top cast11

    Edit
    Kevin Conroy
    Kevin Conroy
    • Batman
    • (voice)
    • …
    Bob Hastings
    Bob Hastings
    • Commissioner James Gordon
    • (voice)
    Liane Schirmer
    Liane Schirmer
    • Lt. Renée Montoya
    • (voice)
    Mark Hamill
    Mark Hamill
    • The Joker
    • (voice)
    • …
    Arleen Sorkin
    Arleen Sorkin
    • Harley Quinn
    • (voice)
    • …
    Richard Moll
    Richard Moll
    • Two-Face
    • (voice)
    • …
    George Dzundza
    George Dzundza
    • Arnold Wesker - The Ventriloquist
    • (voice)
    • …
    Aron Kincaid
    Aron Kincaid
    • Killer Croc
    • (voice)
    • …
    Roddy McDowall
    Roddy McDowall
    • Jervis Tetch
    • (voice)
    • …
    Stephanie Zimbalist
    Stephanie Zimbalist
    • Janet Van Dorn
    • (voice)
    Diane Pershing
    Diane Pershing
    • Poison Ivy
    • (voice)
    • …
    • Director
      • Dan Riba
    • Writers
      • Paul Dini
      • Bruce Timm
      • Bob Kane
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews3

    9.12.3K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    10Diamond_Dog7

    Absolutely Brilliant.

    Trial is by far one of the best episodes of this brilliant series. It's an extremely fun episode, with all the major villains appearing as members of the court. Complete with The Joker as the judge. Brilliant!

    It's certainly a lot different to the other episodes, it is fun, yet with dark undertones, and is superbly written. Definitely a highlight of the series. Those of you who are unsure about whether to check out this series or not, there's a few episodes I would recommend which would make you a fan of this show for, well, the rest of your life. "Trial" is one of them. Quality story, visuals are stunning, and plenty of humour too, "Trial" is simply faultless.
    9Hitchcoc

    The Inmates Running the Asylum--Literally

    An attractive, overzealous district attorney feels that Batman is the reason all the crime exists in Gotham. The point is that people like the Joker and Two-Face were created because of Batman's vigilante presence. But then things begin to happen. Somehow Batman is Batnapped and made to stand trial with the Joker as the judge. The DA is given the task of defending him. Of course, the jurors are the psychotic gang and the audience other nameless patients. How many episodes have begun with one or more of these guys escaping. There should be a revolving door. This whole thing is really quite delightful as the crew shows its colors.
    9Mr-Fusion

    A jury of his enemies

    At this point, it's safe to say that if Mark Hamill and Arleen Sorkin are in the credits, it's a great episode. And 'Trial' is further proof of this. A fine episode, packed with villains, great gags (most coming from Joker and Harley) and a whirlwind pace. Having the Arkham inmates force Batman to stand trial in a kangaroo court is a great way of addressing the big question: is batman responsible for their criminal turns? Of course not, but it's prime fodder for a kids show. It's comic book philosophy 101 and the question tends to loom over some Batman discussions.

    But philosophy isn't what's memorable about this. 'Trial' is as colorful as they come.

    9/10

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The plot of this episode was the original idea for the first DCAU Batman movie, but it was felt that it worked better in the half-hour format. Instead, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) was made.
    • Goofs
      The Riddler appears on the jury, despite having never been captured or committed to Arkham.
    • Quotes

      Harley Quinn: I just wanna say, if there was no Batman, there'd be no Joker, and I'd have never met my Puddin'. Thank you, Batman.

      [Batman glares at her]

      D.A. Janet Van Dorn: Sad, isn't it. Harleen Quinzel was a doctor here at Arkham until the Joker twisted her mind.

      Harley Quinn: Ha! You're just jealous because you don't have a fella who's as lovin' and loyal to you as my Puddin' is to me!

      D.A. Janet Van Dorn: Ah-ha. And I suppose it was that same "loyalty" I saw the last time you escaped and "Puddin'" here...

      [points to the Joker]

      D.A. Janet Van Dorn: ...finked on you in hopes of getting time off!

      Harley Quinn: Is that true, Puddin'?

      The Joker: [sheepishly] "Finked" is such an ugly word...

      Harley Quinn: [grabs the Joker and starts shaking him] You lousy, scum sucking creep!

      The Joker: The witness is excused!

    • Connections
      Edited into Bat-May: Trial (2022)
    • Soundtracks
      Cuéntale
      Batman Theme
      Composed by Danny Elfman

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    FAQ3

    • Why weren't Penguin, Mr. Freeze and Clock King at Batman's trial?
    • Why doesn't Riddler speak in this episode?
    • List: Ventriloquists who have disturbing relationships with their dummies

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 16, 1994 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros. Animation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      22 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 4:3

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