As I’ve learned over the years since I started BATMAN ON FILM back in 1998, people’s “Batman tastes,” and their personal belief in what Batman “is,” varies from person to person. For me, I don’t like Batman having partners and I don’t like The Batman teaming up with other super heroes. I also don’t like it when the character is “kiddied-up,” if you will. Consequently, my “Batman Tastes” are often in conflict to the way he is depicted in THE BATMAN animated television show.

If you’ve read my reviews of THE BATMAN, I’ve been quite critical of the inclusion of both Batgirl and Robin into the show. Like I said, I don’t like Batman with partners. And I don’t like Batman teaming up with other super heroes, so I was none too thrilled when I read the description of the latest episode of THE BATMAN titled “The Joining.”

“The Joining” is a 2-parter that ends season 4 of the show. In it, The Batman teams up with another DC Comics super hero, The Martian Manhunter. MM -- disguised as Gotham Police detective John Jones -- has recruited The Dark Knight to help in thwarting an upcoming alien invasion. My initial impression of this storyline was, “that sucks.” I already have to deal with friggin’ Robin and Batgirl, now were having Batman partner up with a Martian and fight aliens! What is this, the 1950s?!

Then I watched “The Joining” and found out that my initial impression of this episode was dead wrong. In fact, it’s one of the better installments of the show this season.

Since “The Joining” is a 2-parter, I’ll hold off on an overall analysis once I check out part 2. I will say that if you do dig Batman teaming up with other members of the DC Universe, you’re really going to enjoy these two episodes. And if you are like me and prefer the solo Batman, I say give “The Joining” a try. You just may be pleasantly surprised like yours truly.