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The Criss-Cross Conspiracy!
Original Airdate - October 29th, 2010
The long-retired Batwoman sees an opportunity for revenge against the villain who humiliated her: Riddler. In order to get back at him, she uses sorcerer Felix Faust to swap her body with Batman's.

Written by Marsha Griffin
Directed by Michael Chang
Review by Andrew
Media by Andrew
Cast
Diedrich Bader as Batman
Dee Bradley Baker as Felix Faust
John Michael Higgins as Riddler
Vanessa Marshall as Katrina Maldoff
Jeremy Shada as Robin
James Sie as Atom
Mae Whitman as Batgirl
Crawford Wilson as Nightwing

Music
Theme Written and Performed by Andy Strumer
Music by Michael McCuisition, Lolita Ritmanis, Kristopher Carter

Media




Additional HD Images





Review
There really isn't a lot to this teaser. Even though it does introduce a new, and size obsessed, villain there isn't really much done with him and mostly relies on already well established heroes. The Atom and, to his chagrin, Aquaman return as the heroes joining Batman. Oddly, it is an entertaining exploit with the trio, Atom and Batman fighting in mini-form against a buggy robotic horde and having to rely on the unlikely help of Aquaman, but ultimately it ends pretty simply. The only real highlight to speak of is that it's yet another random villain from the Golden Age of DC, and Atom's continued witty skepticism in Aquaman's effectiveness. Bland teaser, but good for some chuckles.

Fortunately for the main story they went a little more involved with an actual story and action to adorn it, and it even delves into the history of the Bat family giving us appearances of The Riddler, Robin (flashback), Batgirl, Nightwing, and... Not-Batwoman. Strangely enough the character is undeniably Batwoman, but they choose never to refer to by name and instead skip solely to her real identity - one of which that isn't a previous canon primary ego of Batwoman. Legal issues, or something along those lines.

Anyway, the story starts off on a really strange note. First of all, we have Batman scorning Not-Batwoman for supposedly being too cocky and endangering civilians, although we didn't get any decent evidence of that. It's a bit too much of obvious exposition so that she's believable going against the law later. The other weird thing is that Riddler, looking like a mix of B:TAS' and Batman Forever's incarnations, simply pulling off her mask to reveal her identity. I don't find it doubtful that that could happen, it was just done a little too conveniently. All in all, though, it was a really well done set up for the main plot.

I was a little concerned that the idea of a Bat-family member, despite continuous scorning and a shamed life, seeking revenge against the Dark Knight would be done very over the top, it actually turned out to be an enjoyable episode. It came out of left field to be sure, but Not-Batwoman was well-written with an understandable desire for vengeance and was wrapped up with a really well executed redemption. All without going over the top, which was oddly saved for Batman's antics after a gender-bending body swap thanks to Not-Batwoman's heinous plan. They came very close to going too far with the effeminate antics of Batman, but fortunately straddled the line well enough to simply make it a very light-hearted and clever episode. Although it was weird to see the Riddler go from a more modern-era outfit in the beginning to the campy and outdated tights version for the "present day."

Overall, much like the teaser there isn't too much to really address about the episode aside from simply saying that it was simple and it was fun. It really reminded me a lot of the good ol' B:TAS days, aside from the gag-oriented focus of a woman possessing Batman's body.

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