Ra’s appeared one other time in the DCAU - in the episode “Showdown,” which is primarily a flashback to Jonah Hex encountering him in the 19th century. I won’t spoil what it has to do with Batman, other than to say that it’s another example of the heartfelt writing BtAS did so well.
Indeed! I skipped that one because I didn't feel it was particularly important, but I also haven't watched it in a while. Were you a big fan of that story?
I did like that one! Again, without spoiling too much, it’s probably the most human we ever see Ra’s in the DCAU. And seeing Jonah Hex was pretty cool, too. 🙃
As an Arabic speaker myself, I'm always to pleased to see a Batman villain with an Arabic name. Ras is a fun villain, for sure. He's the demonic father-in-law, getting in the way of Talia and Batman, perhaps? Great article, another amusing analysis.
I always assumed Ra's al Ghul was inspired by Arabic but somewhat made up. It's cool to have it from an Arabic speaker that it's legit! What did you think of Alexander Siddig's performance as Ra's?
I haven't watched the Gotham series. But from YouTube clips, Sigg's performance looks pretty good. For me, Liam Neeson from 2005's Batman Begins is the ultimate Ras al Ghul. Ideologically, Neeson's villain represents a Machiavellian, consequentialist perspective which is very compelling and a perfect foil to Batman's deontological ethics. Sigg's version feels a little cartoonish, lacks the philosophical depth of Nolan's films. But that's just me.
Good point about Neeson's character having philosophical death. But while I love Batman Begins and the Dark Knight, the goal of scrubbing everything "unrealistic" from Batman seems ultimately impossible. Nothing about what Batman does is realistic, powers or no powers, so you might as well have fun with it. Casting white actors for Ra's and Bane in the 21st century is also a bit odd. I fully admit the Gotham show was wackadoo though haha
It's really just a personal preference, right? Me, as a historian, I enjoy a more "realistic" Batman. That's why Nolan's trilogy was so perfect: it reflects real-world issues, such as poverty, crime, civilization, justice, law, morality, etc. I don't like the cartoonish aesthetic, because it's too goofy and detached from anything real.
But yeah, sometimes it's fine to just "let comics be comics," haha.
Ra’s appeared one other time in the DCAU - in the episode “Showdown,” which is primarily a flashback to Jonah Hex encountering him in the 19th century. I won’t spoil what it has to do with Batman, other than to say that it’s another example of the heartfelt writing BtAS did so well.
Indeed! I skipped that one because I didn't feel it was particularly important, but I also haven't watched it in a while. Were you a big fan of that story?
I did like that one! Again, without spoiling too much, it’s probably the most human we ever see Ra’s in the DCAU. And seeing Jonah Hex was pretty cool, too. 🙃
As an Arabic speaker myself, I'm always to pleased to see a Batman villain with an Arabic name. Ras is a fun villain, for sure. He's the demonic father-in-law, getting in the way of Talia and Batman, perhaps? Great article, another amusing analysis.
I always assumed Ra's al Ghul was inspired by Arabic but somewhat made up. It's cool to have it from an Arabic speaker that it's legit! What did you think of Alexander Siddig's performance as Ra's?
I haven't watched the Gotham series. But from YouTube clips, Sigg's performance looks pretty good. For me, Liam Neeson from 2005's Batman Begins is the ultimate Ras al Ghul. Ideologically, Neeson's villain represents a Machiavellian, consequentialist perspective which is very compelling and a perfect foil to Batman's deontological ethics. Sigg's version feels a little cartoonish, lacks the philosophical depth of Nolan's films. But that's just me.
Good point about Neeson's character having philosophical death. But while I love Batman Begins and the Dark Knight, the goal of scrubbing everything "unrealistic" from Batman seems ultimately impossible. Nothing about what Batman does is realistic, powers or no powers, so you might as well have fun with it. Casting white actors for Ra's and Bane in the 21st century is also a bit odd. I fully admit the Gotham show was wackadoo though haha
It's really just a personal preference, right? Me, as a historian, I enjoy a more "realistic" Batman. That's why Nolan's trilogy was so perfect: it reflects real-world issues, such as poverty, crime, civilization, justice, law, morality, etc. I don't like the cartoonish aesthetic, because it's too goofy and detached from anything real.
But yeah, sometimes it's fine to just "let comics be comics," haha.