User Reviews

The story was decent and the artwork was spectacular in this episode. It's always good but it's extra-special here, especially in the opening scene on the Statue Of Liberty. Gary Graham and Douglas Vandegriff are listed as the storyboard artists. They deserve an award. . A villain named "Count Vertigo" has a sonar-type eye socket and some added gizmo that makes anyone near him dizzy and unable to coordinate themselves. He's try to rob Wayne Enterprises of a valuable new piece of equipment and it is up to Batman - and a woman named "Talia," - stop him. The mystery is this woman. Is she a "good guy" or a "bad guy?" It's not really known until the very end.

Some famous actors, as usual, contribute to this fine animated series. In this one, we have Michael York voicing "Count Vertigo," Brock Peters as "Lucious Fox," Helen Slater as "Talia" and David Warner as "Ra's Al Ghul." All of those actors have been famous films, from "To Kill A Mockingbird" to "Die Hard."

You've gotta love the misdirection on 'Off Balance'. Al Ghul, one of the comics' more surreal villains is kept under wraps until the very end. And even then, he's not referred to by name. He just stands back and lets the decoys put Batman through his paces; which is still no letdown. Vertigo (in total Bond villain mode) and his Society of Shadows goons lend this episode its espionage flavor, and Talia (well played by Helen Slater) spices thing right up. It's not my favorite company doing the animation, but it still fits the story being told.

Rewatching this as an adult, I'm really looking forward to that Demon Head two-parter.

8/10

I'm referring to the plot, not the female lead, who is anything but. The episode is visually glorious but makes no sense. Unlike the heroine, the villain more than once falls victim to supervillian cliche.