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The Batman: Artifacts

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A thousand years into the future, the citizens of new Gotham must uncover the history of the Batman in order to stop a new Mr. Freeze. Read full recap »

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Writers:: Greg Weisman

Director:: Brandon Vietti

Stars:: Rino Romano (Bruce Wayne / Batman); Alastair Duncan (Alfred Pennyworth); Mitch Pileggi (Commissioner Gordon (Episode 35-present; guest otherwise))

Guest Star:: Clancy Brown (Mr. Freeze (uncredited)); Kurt Fuller (Superior); Rino Romano (Grey); Danielle Judovits (Moira); Robert David Hall (Pilot); Jerry O'Connell (Nightwing); Kellie Martin (Oracle)

In one scene, Batman wasn't wearing his mask and one could see that his eye color is gray. Why are they gray? In all other episodes, his eyes were blue. edit »
Another running gag is Nightwing and Oracle implying Batman is an old man. Considering Bruce is about in his thirties in "present time", he'd be either in his late forties or early fifties in 2027; hardly an invalid. Side note: Nightwing would be in his early thirties, and Barbara about thirty-six (remember, we saw her take a driver's test in a previous season, implying she was about 16). edit »
Freeze's plot in this episode is somewhat similar to his plot in the 1997 film 'Batman and Robin'. edit »
In the future Detective Ellen Yin becomes Commissioner (replacing Gordon) and Detective Ethan Bennett becomes Chief (replacing Rojas). edit »

Although the actor playing Mr. Freeze is uncredited, it's clearly Clancy Brown, who played Freeze in previous episodes. edit »
This is the only episode in season four that Robin does not appear in. edit »
When looking at the uniforms, they mention they state that the smaller uniform is of the Red Robin. While never using this name in any animated series, Dick does take this name in the Limited Series Kingdom Come. The name Red Robin was later used by Jason Todd, the second Robin, during Countdown to Final Crisis. edit »
Running Gag: The commanding investigator calling Victor Fries "Dr. Frost", but being corrected to "Mr. Freeze". edit »
During the fight with Mr. Freeze, Oracle mentions "alerting Chief Bennett." This may mean that after being cured of the Clayface mutation, Ethan Bennett has rejoined the force and has risen to the rank of Police Chief. edit »

Nightwing: You think you got one more in you, old man?
Batman: I'm just hoping you can keep up, Robin. edit »
Mr. Freeze: The upgraded Freeze 2.0 comes complete with flameproof cybernetics and a shatterproof internal liquid nitrogen supply. It's why your cold medicine didn't work. edit »
Oracle: (about Batman) There's still no answer, Alfred. Radio must be down.
Alfred: He's always seemed to think he wasn't doing his job unless he worried me half to death. I'm certain he's fine, Oracle. edit »
Batman: Thanks for the icepack, Freeze ... all you did was numb the pain! edit »
Oracle: Batman? Batman, do you read? (pause) What do you read, anyway? After all these years, I never thought to ask. Mystery stories, romance novels, the Sunday comics?
Batman: I read, Oracle ... loud and clear. edit »

Mr. Freeze: The Dark Knight returns.
Mr. Freeze's off-handed remark about Batman is a reference to Frank Miller's graphic novel "The Dark Knight Returns," a grittier, darker interpretation of Batman. Even Batman's physique for the episode echoes Miller's interpretation of the character. edit »
Premise: Spider-Man
This story mostly follows the exploits of two archeaologists of focus as they study relics of a legendary hero, and make incorrect assessments on said hero's history. This is strikingly similar to the storyline in The Amazing Spider-Man #439. Interestingly enough, the theories spun by the investigators (also a black man and a white woman) in the comic were based on the Batman mythos. edit »

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Link3455
member since: Jun 16, 2005
Artifacts
The Bottom Line: "Not my favorite storyline"
Meh... ...Continue »
03/07/07 02:56pm | report abuse
10
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jedijaceon
member since: Feb 16, 2007
Artifacts
The Bottom Line: "A very special episode"
Never been a big fan of this series, always like Kevin Conroy's better. ...Continue »
02/23/07 09:57am | report abuse
10
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scottgetz
member since: Jun 9, 2005
Artifacts
The Bottom Line: "Exciting"
This episode shows a future Batman that is at missions end in a battle against Mr. Freeze 2.0, with older allies, Barbara Gordon as Oracle and Tim Drake as Nightwing by Batman�s side. This episode features a future in which the Batman was only a legend. ...Continue »
02/06/07 06:26am | report abuse
10
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EmprerNero
member since: Oct 2, 2004
Artifacts
The Bottom Line: "Exactly why I watch this series"
I was amazed at the style of writing, you don't see many like this. ...Continue »
02/05/07 09:42pm | report abuse
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nyxlily
member since: Feb 4, 2007
Artifacts
The Bottom Line: "Above average"
We catches a glimpse of the future and was rewarded with a darker and more driven Batman, a grown-up Grayson, and a transformed Batgirl. The story is fast paced with great action, but it also left room for in-depth story development. Lovely episode! ...Continue »
02/03/07 09:28pm | report abuse