By Drew Dietsch | Published
Batman: The Animated Series the best iteration of the character in any medium, whether it’s comics, movies, television, radio, you name it. This series is an indelible and ongoing entry into the history of the Caped Crusader. Over the course of its 85 episodes, it strengthened the version of Batman and his world that stood the test of time. There are many good and very good episodes Batman: The Animated Seriesbut the standout and above the pack has to be “His Silicon Soul”, the story from the previous two installments presented. Batman: The Animated Series a sci-fi story unlike anything else in the series.
Heart of Steel
The story of “His Silicon Soul” actually begins in the two-part episode “Heart of Steel”. A malicious artificial intelligence called HARDAC (Holographic Analytical Reciprocating Digital Android Computer) begins to create androids called duplicates – a nod to duplicates Blade Runner – in an effort to change people. Naturally, Batman defeats HARDAC and his army of copycats to save the day.
However, you will notice that the HARDAC looks uncannily like the silhouette of Batman’s cow. That was intentional as the original script for “Heart of Steel: Part II” ended with a duplicate of Batman showing up as HARDAC’s last weapon. The original use of the Batman replica was actually to have a fight scene. When the producers of Batman: The Animated Series they saw this in the text, they immediately realized that the robot Batman was a one-off. Thus was born “His Silicon Soul”.
His Silicon soul
“His Silicon Soul” opens with thieves breaking into a warehouse while Batman exits a crane. After fighting the thieves, you are injured and it turns out you have robotic innards! Believing himself to be the real Bruce Wayne, Batman returns home and asks Alfred for help. It is here that Alfred brings up the idea of replicating the robot Batman and begins to investigate his creation and purpose. When the real Batman catches wind of this, the chase is on as the robot Batman activates his original plan and revives the plan to bring back the copycats.
However, during a fight in the greenhouse between the two Batmen, the robot saves an innocent man when the greenhouse begins to collapse. It is here that we begin to understand that this Batman impersonator is more human than we might believe. During the final showdown, the original Batman is believed to be dead at the hands of the duplicate Batman. And it is here that his “Silicon Soul” earns its reputation. Although actually programmed by HARDAC to destroy humanity, the AI made a copy that was too good for Batman. This artificial human believes in the sanctity of life so much that he destroys himself to save the people of Gotham City.
It’s a powerful idea that sci-fi often grapples with: what is humanity? What makes us truly human? Seeing a show ostensibly aimed at children delve into such a powerful and difficult subject matter fascinated me when I was in the single digits. To this day, the last moments of the avenger Batman overcome guilt because of the belief that he took life with me. “His Silicon Soul” is one of voice actor Kevin Conroy’s best moments in a career that is overflowing with them.
The concept of Batman: The Animated Series he was willing to make an episode like “His Soul of Silicon” show the incredible depth and variety of stories they’ve been able to tell within the framework of Batman’s adventures. Finding a legitimate sci-fi tragedy among classic crime fiction is a real treat.
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