TheGreatDirector
Banned
With Christmas almost here you can practically feel the cheer already. Unfortunately because of the time I'm not quite in the mindset to post long descriptions about specials. However, I do want to highlight two cartoon Christmas episodes I've enjoyed for years now.
The first is a Batman: The Animated Series classic.
Christmas with the Joker is one of the earliest episodes of the series and remains one of my all-time favorites. It details the story of Batman and Robin(who also makes his first appearance) attempting to stop the recently escaped Joker from terrorizing Gotham on Christmas Eve.
This is the first exposure audiences had to BTAS' rendition of the Joker and in many ways it would immortalize Mark Hamill as the definitive voice of the character for any animated appearances. The Joker is wacky, over the top, and loony as a toon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNAV91jUWwI
The end result is a Christmas spectacle unlike anything else with an iconic struggle between the Caped Crusader and the Ace of Knaves.
The next special I want to talk about is quite different in tone.
Christmas Who?, otherwise known as the Spongebob Squarepants Christmas Special, was the first special done for this holiday by the show. It is without a doubt one of my favorite episodes of the series and one of the few episodes that runs the full half hour block.
This is Hillenburg's run of the show at its finest. The episode is about Spongebob, after listening to the wonders of Christmas from Sandy, trying to create his own Christmas under the sea, all while Squidward continually dismisses the holiday. Yet guilt ends up eating at Squidward's heart when he sees the giving spirit Spongebob has and he ends up playing the role of Bikini Bottom's own Santa Claus by giving out presents, including everything in his house, to everyone.
This episode is very sweet. It contains the very innocent humor of Spongebob and the citizens of Bikini Bottom trying to grasp the concept of Christmas with nothing but an undersea squirrel's stories to go off of. There's a wonderful little musical number too, that ends with a magnificent falsetto from Mr. Krabs.
Yet what this episode does most is show a loving side of Squidward that is rarely seen in the show. For all the curmudgeon like mood he gives off, the clarinet player still cares for other people. Of course his charitable deeds do not go unnoticed. In the end, Squidward is met by none other than Jolly St. Nick himself who thanks Squidward for all his hard work and...uh...does this.
I don't understand myself. Regardless, this one of the best episodes of the show and a very good cartoon to watch if you're looking for something to make you smile this time of year.
The first is a Batman: The Animated Series classic.
Christmas with the Joker is one of the earliest episodes of the series and remains one of my all-time favorites. It details the story of Batman and Robin(who also makes his first appearance) attempting to stop the recently escaped Joker from terrorizing Gotham on Christmas Eve.
This is the first exposure audiences had to BTAS' rendition of the Joker and in many ways it would immortalize Mark Hamill as the definitive voice of the character for any animated appearances. The Joker is wacky, over the top, and loony as a toon.
Yet he's also scary, intimidating, and fully committed to spreading evil. You realize sympathize with the people of the Gotham having to endure this nightmare of man as random tank attacks, bridge explosions, and cannon fire rains down on their city. Of course Kevin Conroy is at his best here with Batman, leading a commanding presence on screen. Shirley Walker, the composer for the series, brings together the whole picture with a wonderfully fitting leitmotif for the Joker that bounces perfectly against Batman's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNAV91jUWwI
The end result is a Christmas spectacle unlike anything else with an iconic struggle between the Caped Crusader and the Ace of Knaves.
The next special I want to talk about is quite different in tone.
Christmas Who?, otherwise known as the Spongebob Squarepants Christmas Special, was the first special done for this holiday by the show. It is without a doubt one of my favorite episodes of the series and one of the few episodes that runs the full half hour block.
This is Hillenburg's run of the show at its finest. The episode is about Spongebob, after listening to the wonders of Christmas from Sandy, trying to create his own Christmas under the sea, all while Squidward continually dismisses the holiday. Yet guilt ends up eating at Squidward's heart when he sees the giving spirit Spongebob has and he ends up playing the role of Bikini Bottom's own Santa Claus by giving out presents, including everything in his house, to everyone.
This episode is very sweet. It contains the very innocent humor of Spongebob and the citizens of Bikini Bottom trying to grasp the concept of Christmas with nothing but an undersea squirrel's stories to go off of. There's a wonderful little musical number too, that ends with a magnificent falsetto from Mr. Krabs.
Yet what this episode does most is show a loving side of Squidward that is rarely seen in the show. For all the curmudgeon like mood he gives off, the clarinet player still cares for other people. Of course his charitable deeds do not go unnoticed. In the end, Squidward is met by none other than Jolly St. Nick himself who thanks Squidward for all his hard work and...uh...does this.

I don't understand myself. Regardless, this one of the best episodes of the show and a very good cartoon to watch if you're looking for something to make you smile this time of year.