Traction (The Batman)

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“Traction”
The Batman episode
Episode no. Season 1
Episode 2
Guest stars Bane voiced by Joaquim de Almeida
Written by Adam Beechen
Directed by Sam Liu
Production no. 102
Original airdate September 25 2004
Episode chronology
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"The Bat in the Belfry" "Call of the Cobblepot"
List of The Batman episodes

"Traction" is the second episode of The Batman's first season. It originally aired in North America on September 25, 2004.

Contents

[edit] Plot synopsis

Three mob bosses want revenge on Batman because he constantly took down their operations. They call in a very mysterious man named Bane to finish him off, once and for all. Bane may seem like a normal criminal, but he has a secret, a secret so powerful that it could destroy all of Gotham. After their first encounter, Bane easily takes down Batman, hurting him badly. Now, Batman must think of a new way to stop this menace.

[edit] Plot summary

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

After different mob bosses meet in the underground subway system, each express fear of the Batman. Only one of them, however, comes up with a solution to get rid of him, in the form of an elusive soldier who uses a chemical formula to gain strength.

While working in the Batcave, Bruce Wayne notices the first act of violence in Gotham caused by this new fiend, who reveals himself to be Bane. In their first fight, Bane pumps himself up into a large, red, heavily muscled monster by using his serum, which connects to his body through a system of tubes leading to a control knob on his arm. Bane easily defeats Batman, taking off and leaving Batman with several broken bones among other injuries.

With Detective Yin and Bennett, still on the hunt for the Batman, on the way to the crime scene, Batman is forced to call on Alfred to bring him home. Alfred arrives in time, and the two slip away in the butler’s car, leaving the Batmobile for the two detectives to find before its remote tracking kicks in, driving itself back to the Batcave.

Alfred insists Bruce stay home and recuperate, all the while Bane goes on a crime spree. Bruce continues to work on his latest invention, the Batbot, a large robot equipped to hold the controller inside to increase form in battle. After partially completing it, he decides to take on Bane again for a rematch.

Meanwhile, Bane wreaks havoc at a bank, and Detective Yin, near the area, decides to investigate. Heading to the top floor, without backup, Yin confronts Bane, and is easily swatted aside by the massive muscled villain. Batman, in the Batbot, shows up to take on Bane, and a battle ensues on the roof of a building opposite the bank. Yin and Bennett watch as the two of them go at it, resulting in Bane once again overcoming Batman by tearing off one of the arms of his robot. However, Batman manages to jab one of the livewire cords of his robot arm into one of the sources of Bane’s serum, effectively electrocuting the beast into unconsciousness and reverting him back down to his slim form. Batman then calls for Alfred once again, satisfied that he was able to take down Bane.

Yin and Bennett begin to speculate if the Batman is actually good.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Other First Appearances

[edit] Trivia

  • When Batman is hanging to avoid being seen by Yin, a drop of sweat falls from his face and hits the ground causing Yin to look up and seeing Batman is not there. This seen is based on the same scene from Spider-Man (film).
  • The cop that informs Bruce of Alfred's arrival at the police station in the flachback was revealed to be a young Commissioner Gordon.
  • The episode where Batman is beaten badly by Bane and returns in an armored suit is based on the Knightfall storyline. The only differences is that in Knightfall, Bruce is too badly hurt to even fight, Alfred does quit for a short time, and it is not Bruce but Jean Paul Valley / Azrael who fights Bane in a new improved batsuit that is armored.
  • Crime Boss #2 says, "Just because he wears a mask doesn't make him some kind of superman." This is an ironic reference to "Superman", another famous DC Comics superhero. Batman does wear a mask and is a kind of "Superman". Ironically, Superman doesn't wear a mask.
  • Ellen: So, the Batman returns. Batman Returns is the title of the second Batman film of the 90's, but it featured Penguin and Catwoman as villains instead of Bane. In an odd coincidence, Batman fought Penguin last episode and will be fighting Catwoman in the next.
  • Dispatcher: All units, disturbance at 437 Adams. Another homage to Neal Adams, the artist credited with reinventing Batman, working with Denny O'Neil.
  • Bennett: Dispatch, requesting all-points bulletin on masked suspect in vicinity of Rogers and Englehart. A homage to Marshall Rogers and Steve Englehart, who worked together on the Batman "Detective" series.
  • Upon being injured, both Bruce and Alfred claim that their injury is just a flesh wound, a reference to the famous Black Knight scene.


  • Bane in comic books, other cartoons, and in one movie, Bane was always a powerhouse possessed of unbelievable strength and merciless cruelty. He was also a cunning criminal and brilliant military strategist (except in the movie Batman and Robin), the one deadly enemy who was ever able to literally "break the Bat," as well as deduce his secret identity with minimal effort.

[edit] Quotes

  • Bane: The Batman, I presume?
    Batman: The masked look must really be catching on.
    Bane: Defeat me, and I will allow you to remove it.
    Batman: Hate to disappoint, but I don’t fight for sport.
    Bane: Then fight for your life!
  • Crime Boss #3: Gentleman, meet Bane.
    (Bane walks in)
    Crime Boss #1: Meh, are you sure this guy can take down the Batman?
    Crime Boss #2: Just because he wears a mask doesn't make him some kind of super man.
    Bane: There is much more to me than meets the eye.
  • Alfred: Being summoned to pick you up has never been a good omen, Master Bruce.

[edit] References

    Not available yet

    [edit] See also

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