The World's Finest Presents
Episode #062 - Fire From Olympus
Original Airdate - May 24th, 1993 - First Season Finale

Believing himself to be the reincarnation of the Greek God Zeus, mad shipping magnate Maxie Zeus hijacks an experimental electron cannon. Mounting the weapon atop his penthouse, Maxie plans to rain 'lightning bolts' down on the wicked mortals' of Gotham City. 

Media by Bird Boy and James Harvey
Review by Robin III
Credits
Written by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens
Directed by Dan Riba
Music Composed by Shirley Walker
Animation by Dong Yang Animation Co., LTD.

Voices
Kevin Conroy as Batman
Bob Hastings as Commissioner Gordon
Bess Armstrong as Clio
Vernee Watson-Johnson as Doctor
Nicholas Savalas as Stavros
Steve Suskind as Maxie Zeus

Screen Grabs





























Pans



Quotes
MAXIE: Amuse me with tales of ancient times when mortals trembled at the name Zeus.
CLIO: You want a story? I got one. Seems there was this guy named Max who, because he'd been lucky so far in the smuggling racket, believed himself to be untouchable, superior, godlike. . .
MAXIE: There's a cynical edge to your voice I don't appreciate. Know you not, I am above mortal constraints of right and wrong?
CLIO: No one is above the law, Max.
MAXIE: I make my own laws!
--
THE BATWING RISES FROM THE CLOUDS AND UP TO THE TOP OF MAXIE ZEUS' BUILDING.
MAXIE: Like the shadow of ebon-winged night, he rises from the dark realm. Behold, the coming of my brother, Lord Hades!
BATMAN STEPS FROM THE COCKPIT.
--
MAXIE: Be gone, Lord Hades! Get thee back to thine own realm! Do not come again to Olympus until bidden!
BATMAN: I think I get the message.
--
CLIO: He's not living in the real world anymore. Maybe you can relate to that?
BATMAN DOESN'T RESPOND.
--
BATMAN: It's over, 'Maxie'.
--
MAXIE: Now this is truly Olympus! Surely it can be no other place. There's beautiful Demeter, goddess of the harvest!
MAXIE SEES POISON IVY IN HER CELL.
MAXIE: And double-faced Janus, lord of beginnings and endings!
MAXIE SEES TWO-FACE IN HIS CELL.
MAXIE: And merry Hermes, the trickster of the gods!
MAXIE SEES JOKER IN HIS CELL. JOKER PRESSES HIS FACE AGAINST THE GLASS AND SMEARS HIS TONGUE ON IT.
MAXIE: Now, at last, mighty Zeus is home!


Review: An excellent episode for a one-time villain. Maxie Zeus was always an interesting character, but the effect of the terrific casting made the villain's appearance superior to those in the comics. The element of humor in a very dark and violent episode was used sparingly, but quite effectively. The final scene in Arkham was superb, and the first meeting between Batman and Maxie Zeus was classic.

The animation was excellent as well. There was some very detailed close-ups on characters at times with shadowing used for maximum effect. Everything remained in proportion, except for the villains in Arkham which seemed to look a little different than usual.

The only real flaw in the show was when Clio attempted to reach the penthouse of 'Olympus' in the elevator, but was intercepted by Zeus' men. It appears as if she is 'dealt with' but later she magically appears coming out of a door on the penthouse. Maybe I missed something, but it didn't fit very well. It was a minor thing, though, and did not distract from the very well done episode.

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