This episode, to me, is a masterpiece. It is built on the common framework of the protagonist getting confused with the antagonist until a final resolve, but it is filled with excellent music, cinematography, and animation, all of which build to an episode that is a thrill to watch and unlike just about anything ever seen in the cartoon world.

What is immediately striking to me is the Fleischer-like design in the opening scenes. The designs of the zeppelin and of the city, the tinted painting, all amount to a very retro look that date back to what was accomplished in the Fleischer shorts of the early forties. This is achieved here better than in any episode to follow. The artistic direction continues along these lines in the cinematic angles of Mayor Hill's office and the striking use of shadow employed in just about every scene.

However, the artistic highlight of this episode to me is the scene during which Man-Bat, Batman grappled to his leg, flies alongside the zeppelin in a sequence so well-animated that it's no wonder it was never once matched during the remainder of the series. Not only is the entire blimp animated so that the viewer is immersed in the chase as the camera stays fixed on the Man-Bat, but the angle itself changes, causing animation turnarounds of both the blimp and the Man-Bat. The speed of the final wisp past the top and the rapid movement of Batman's cape provide the final touches.

The music in this episode suits the visual atmosphere perfectly. I'm not so well versed in this area that I could comment on the use of specific instruments and their respective impact on the score, but I can recognize the overall mood that the music creates, and that is one of classic orchestral tension. All throughout the episode the music is an ominous presence the builds up until the climax, when it finally explodes and complements the action and the rush at the final chase scene.

Artistic and musical direction aside, the episode is still a triumph of style over substance, and while the police department's POV is interesting, the actual story is a bit straightforward. This is not a flaw, as it is near impossible for a pilot episode to create a compelling story from barely established characters, but it is not to be viewed with the intent of entering a complex story. It should be viewed, however, as a fascinating introduction to a series that introduced a level of maturity and intelligence to the world of children's animation that had not been seen before.