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{{Episode
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'''The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy''' is the thirty-first episode of the American animated television series ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]].'' First aired on [[October 14]]th, [[1992]]. Written by [[Elliot S. Maggin]]. Directed by [[Frank Paur]].
  
  +
| series = btas
  +
| image = The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy-Title Card.png
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| episode = The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy
  +
| airdate = October 14, 1992
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| production = 31
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| airedorder = 25
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| animation = [[Dong Yang Animation Co., LTD.]]
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| writer = [[Elliot S. Maggin]]
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| director = [[Frank Paur]]
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| prevprod = "[[Perchance to Dream]]"
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| prevaired = "[[Mad as a Hatter]]"
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| nextprod = "[[Robin's Reckoning|Robin's Reckoning, Part I]]"
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| nextaired = "[[Perchance to Dream]]"
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}}
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"'''The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy'''" is the thirty-first episode of {{btas}}. It first aired on October 14, 1992.
   
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==Plot Summary==
 +
== Plot ==
  +
[[File:McWhirter is caught in Josiah Wormwood's death trap.png|thumb|left|[[McWhirter|Mr. McWhirter]] is caught in [[Josiah Wormwood|Wormwood]]'s death trap.]]
  +
A lone man, [[McWhirter]], walks into a miniature golf course at night following instructions printed in cut and pasted letters. He hears a voice that instructs him to follow it. McWhirter demands to know what's going on, but the voice tells him to follow some lights into a sand pit. He does so and discovers that it's quicksand. He is told he can either give up a collection of bearer bonds he's supposed to transport and be rescued or he can keep the information to himself and die. McWhirter gives in.
   
  +
Later, [[James Gordon|Commissioner Gordon]] talks to [[Batman]] about the loss of the bearer bonds and what happened to McWhirter. Batman easily deduces who's behind it: [[Josiah Wormwood]], the interrogator. However, Batman doesn't yet know if Wormwood is even in town so he decides to pay [[Wacklaw Josek|Baron Wacklaw Josek]], an associate of Wormwood's, a visit.
−
The nobleman [[Baron Waclow Jozek]] hires an agent named [[Josiah Wormwood]], known for using deathtraps to extract secrets from his victims, to get [[Batman]]'s cape and cowl. The criminal, posing as a Russian count, has been assaulted by the Dark Knight earlier in the evening about some missing bearer bonds (Batman was briefed by [[Commissioner Gordon]]) which were stolen by Wormwood after receiving their location in his recent deathtrap at the start of the episode. As part of his contract, Wormwood agrees to reveal where he hid the bearer bonds so that he can learn why his new employer wants Batman's cape and cowl. As the episode continues, Batman is lured into several deathtraps trying to keep his cape and cowl. The last deathtrap proves to be the charm as Batman, overcome by superheated spotlights and a cleverly hidden tank of nerve gas, surrenders the desired prize to Wormwood; his identity is still secret as Batman is wearing a bandanna. Later, as arranged, Wormwood meets Jozek in his penthouse and reveals the location of the bearer bonds, after which he asks what his employer intends to do with the cape and cowl to which he says " I am going...to wear them." Turning around, the "criminal " is revealed to be none other than Batman, who was impersonating Jozek the entire episode. (Earlier in the episode, Batman had forced the real Jozek to flee Gotham.) As a final twist, after being put in a prison cell, Wormwood, as "long, cold nights will be the norm," is given Batman's cape and cowl to keep him warm by the Dark Knight.
  
   
  +
The Baron is attending a dinner as a guest speaker for the [[Gotham Foreign-Aid Society]]. However, his speech is cut short when Batman grabs him. Batman demands information and carries the Baron to the roof. Dangling him from a billboard, Batman drags all the information on Wormwood the Baron has to offer and tells him to leave. The Baron is angered to the extreme.
⚫
==Trivia==
  
   
  +
Later, the Baron calls Wormwood in and hires him to get Batman's cape and cowl. Wormwood is intrigued by the proposition but also curious as to why his new employer wants them. The Baron proposes a trade: he'll tell Wormwood what he wants to know if Wormwood will tell him about the bearer bonds. Wormwood plays dumb, but the Baron assures him that he'll be handsomely rewarded for this task. Although skeptical, Wormwood agrees.
⚫
*This episode contains the first use of the [[Bat-Signal]] in the [[DC Animated Universe]].
  
   
  +
The [[Bat-signal]] lights the skies above Gotham, and Batman arrives to meet Gordon. Gordon gives Batman a letter telling him to go to "where iron horses go to rot and children toot their horns a lot."
⚫
*In pre-production, the original script was to have someone steal the cape and cowl and impersonate Batman while on a crime rampage. This would have been based on an episode of the old George Reeves series ''The Adventures of Superman''.
  
  +
[[File:Batman caught in Josiah Wormwood's death trap.png|thumb|right|[[Batman]] caught in [[Josiah Wormwood|Wormwood]]'s death trap.]]
  +
Batman goes to a park known as Traintown and enters into a train with smoke coming from its stack. However, he discovers that it's a trap. The exits are sealed and Batman discovers a young woman tied to a railroad track with the train rapidly bearing down on her. Wormwood promises to remove her from harm's way if Batman will give up his cape and cowl. However, Batman manages to prevent a window from being completely closed and squeezes through the opening. He dives for the woman only to find that she was a mere hologram. Wormwood manages to escape and decides that he'll have to put Batman himself in jeopardy.
   
  +
Following another message, Batman goes to DeLarue's Wax Museum and finds himself in another trap. Searching the museum, he enters into a room filled with unfinished wax figures. Wormwood opens a panel in the roof revealing a 20,000-watt light that rapidly heats up the room. Batman tries to escape through a skylight but it's sealed off and he falls to the floor. He lands in a puddle of molten wax, rendering his weapons useless. He tries to hurl his belt at the light but it doesn't work. Fortunately, one of the wax figures has a metal frame and with it and Batman manages to shatter the light. However, it releases a toxic gas into the room. Wormwood tells him that he'll shut off the gas only if Batman gives him his cape and cowl. [[File:Wormwood gets what he wanted.png|thumb|left| In a twist, [[Josiah Wormwood|Wormwood]] ends up with [[Batman]]'s cape and cowl after all.]] Seeing no way out, Batman surrenders the desired prize to Wormwood. Fortunately, his identity is still secret as Batman is wearing a bandanna underneath the cowl. Wormwood is unconcerned and takes the cape and cowl. Not ready to fully give up, Batman breaks the glass leading into Wormwood's control room, only to find him already gone.
⚫
*[[Bruce Timm]] mentioned in an interview that he was originally going to have Batman show his face to Wormwood as he gives him the cape and cowl, but he changed his mind, as he does not like seeing Bruce without his mask on. Strangely enough, Bruce pulls off his mask in the [[Robin's Reckoning|next episode]].
  
   
  +
Later, as arranged, Wormwood meets the Baron in his penthouse and demands to know why he wants Batman's cape and cowl. The Baron refuses to tell unless Wormwood reveals the location of the bearer bonds. Giving in, Wormwood tells him and demands his information. The Baron laughs and answers, "I am going... to wear them." Turning around, the "criminal" is revealed to be none other than Batman, who was impersonating Josek the entire time. Wormwood tries to escape with a locker key, which is required to retrieve the bonds, but Batman gives chase. Wormwood attacks Batman and after a short fight he slips out the window and is nearly killed but Batman saves him. Wormwood is taken into custody, and as there were bugs in the room, evidence isn't a problem.
−
*Wormwood's Modus Operandi and physical appearance make him very similar to [[the Riddler]]. However, the "real" Riddler (Edward Nygma) appears in later episodes.
  
   
  +
In prison, Wormwood is given a package with a note explaining as "Confinement will speed your reform, but long, cold nights will be the norm, so here's a thing to keep you warm." He opens it only to discover it's Batman's cape and cowl. In a rage, he throws it aside.
⚫
==Background Information==
  
   
  +
== Continuity ==
−
==Links and References==
  
  ⚫
* This episode contains the first use of the [[Bat-signal]] in the [[DC Animated Universe]].
−
===Starring the Voices of===
  
  +
* Batman's tactic of disguising himself to trap his enemies and get information from them is later used in "[[Almost Got 'Im]]", in which he impersonates [[Killer Croc]] and orchestrates a sting operation.
⚫
*[[Kevin Conroy]] as [[Batman I|Batman]]
  
⚫
*[[Bob Hastings]] as [[James Gordon|Commissioner Gordon]]
  
   
  ⚫
== Background information ==
−
===Guest Stars===
  
  +
=== Home video releases ===
⚫
*[[Bud Cort]] as [[Josiah Wormwood|Wormwood]]
  
  +
* {{btasdvd2}}
⚫
*[[John Rhys-Davies]] as [[Waclaw Jozek|Jozek]]
  
  +
* [[Batman: The Complete Animated Series (DVD)]]
⚫
*[[Gaille Heidemann]] as Matron
  
  +
* [[Batman: The Complete Animated Series (Blu-ray)]]
⚫
*[[Mark Taylor]] as [[Whirter|MC Whirter]]
  
  +
⚫
[[Category:BTAS episodes]]
  
  +
=== Production inconsistencies ===
  +
* When Batman says to Wormwood, "You win", his mouth doesn't match the line.
  +
* When Wormwood asks, "Now, what will you do with the cape and cowl?" right before Batman reveals himself, the cape and cowl disappear from Josek's desk.
  +
  ⚫
=== Trivia ===
  +
* The episode is based on the comics story "The Cape and Cowl Death Trap!" (''Detective Comics'' #450, August 1975), also by [[Elliot S. Maggin]].
  ⚫
* In pre-production, the original script was to have someone steal the cape and cowl and impersonate Batman while on a crime rampage. This would have been based on an episode of the old George Reeves series ''The Adventures of Superman''.
  ⚫
* [[Bruce Timm]] mentioned in an interview that he was originally going to have Batman show his face to Wormwood as he gives him the cape and cowl, but he changed his mind, as he does not like seeing Bruce without his mask on. Strangely enough, Bruce pulls off his mask in the [[Robin's Reckoning|next episode]].
  +
* [[Bud Cort]] later voiced [[Toyman]] on {{stas}}.
  +
* [[John Rhys-Davies]] later voiced [[Hades]] on {{jl}}.
  +
  +
== Cast ==
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
  +
! Actor !! Role
  +
|-
  ⚫
| [[Kevin Conroy]] || [[Batman]]
  +
|-
  ⚫
| [[Bob Hastings]] || [[James Gordon|Commissioner Gordon]]
  +
|-
  ⚫
| [[Bud Cort]] || [[Josiah Wormwood|Wormwood]]
  +
|-
  ⚫
| [[John Rhys-Davies]] || [[Wacklaw Josek|Josek]]
  +
|-
  ⚫
| [[Gaille Heidemann]] || Matron
  +
|-
  ⚫
| [[Mark Taylor]] || [[McWhirter]]
  +
|}
  +
  +
=== Uncredited appearances ===
  +
* [[Wilkes]]
  +
  +
== Quotes ==
  +
{{Quotes
  +
|
  +
'''[[McWhirter]]:''' (''Reading Instructions'') "Where tracks and golf balls roll and wind, round colored banners of all kind, here, new instructions you will find."
  +
|
  +
'''[[James Gordon|Gordon]]:''' Look up "slippery" in the dictionary and you get Josiah Wormwood.
  +
|
  +
'''[[Josiah Wormwood|Wormwood]]:''' Alright. I'll get you the Batman's cape and cowl. That won't be difficult. He is only human, after all.
  +
|
  +
'''Batman:''' I want information from you. By the way, I hope you're not afraid of heights.
  +
|
  +
'''[[Batman]]:''' (''Reading Instructions'') "Where iron horses go to rot, and children toot their horns a lot. A damsel's pleas will come to naught." <br />
  +
'''Gordon:''' Do you know what it means? <br />
  +
'''Batman:''' Don't you?
  +
|
  +
'''Batman:''' (''about the Bat-signal'') Got a new toy, I see.
  +
|
  +
'''Batman:''' (''Reading Instructions'') "Where George Washington and young Babe Ruth, stand side by side with John Wilkes Booth, Batman will find… a plan most uncouth!". <br />
  +
'''Gordon:''' Well? What do you think ''this one'' means? <br />
  +
'''Batman:''' Those famous figures standing around together? DeLarue's Wax Museum, what else? <br />
  +
'''Gordon:''' Oh… of course.
  +
|
  +
'''Batman:''' All right. All right! Turn off the gas. You win.
  +
|
  +
'''Wormwood:''' You were playing... playing me for a fool!<br />
  +
'''Batman:''' From the day you first walked in here.
  +
}}
  +
  +
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cape and Cowl Conspiracy, The}}
  ⚫
[[Category:A to Z]]
  +
[[Category:Batman: The Animated Series episodes|Cape and Cowl Conspiracy, The]]
  +
[[Category:Episodes directed by Frank Paur]]

Revision as of 14:12, 4 June 2020

"The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy" is the thirty-first episode of Batman: The Animated Series. It first aired on October 14, 1992.

Plot

McWhirter is caught in Josiah Wormwood's death trap

Mr. McWhirter is caught in Wormwood's death trap.

A lone man, McWhirter, walks into a miniature golf course at night following instructions printed in cut and pasted letters. He hears a voice that instructs him to follow it. McWhirter demands to know what's going on, but the voice tells him to follow some lights into a sand pit. He does so and discovers that it's quicksand. He is told he can either give up a collection of bearer bonds he's supposed to transport and be rescued or he can keep the information to himself and die. McWhirter gives in.

Later, Commissioner Gordon talks to Batman about the loss of the bearer bonds and what happened to McWhirter. Batman easily deduces who's behind it: Josiah Wormwood, the interrogator. However, Batman doesn't yet know if Wormwood is even in town so he decides to pay Baron Wacklaw Josek, an associate of Wormwood's, a visit.

The Baron is attending a dinner as a guest speaker for the Gotham Foreign-Aid Society. However, his speech is cut short when Batman grabs him. Batman demands information and carries the Baron to the roof. Dangling him from a billboard, Batman drags all the information on Wormwood the Baron has to offer and tells him to leave. The Baron is angered to the extreme.

Later, the Baron calls Wormwood in and hires him to get Batman's cape and cowl. Wormwood is intrigued by the proposition but also curious as to why his new employer wants them. The Baron proposes a trade: he'll tell Wormwood what he wants to know if Wormwood will tell him about the bearer bonds. Wormwood plays dumb, but the Baron assures him that he'll be handsomely rewarded for this task. Although skeptical, Wormwood agrees.

The Bat-signal lights the skies above Gotham, and Batman arrives to meet Gordon. Gordon gives Batman a letter telling him to go to "where iron horses go to rot and children toot their horns a lot."

Batman caught in Josiah Wormwood's death trap

Batman caught in Wormwood's death trap.

Batman goes to a park known as Traintown and enters into a train with smoke coming from its stack. However, he discovers that it's a trap. The exits are sealed and Batman discovers a young woman tied to a railroad track with the train rapidly bearing down on her. Wormwood promises to remove her from harm's way if Batman will give up his cape and cowl. However, Batman manages to prevent a window from being completely closed and squeezes through the opening. He dives for the woman only to find that she was a mere hologram. Wormwood manages to escape and decides that he'll have to put Batman himself in jeopardy.

Following another message, Batman goes to DeLarue's Wax Museum and finds himself in another trap. Searching the museum, he enters into a room filled with unfinished wax figures. Wormwood opens a panel in the roof revealing a 20,000-watt light that rapidly heats up the room. Batman tries to escape through a skylight but it's sealed off and he falls to the floor. He lands in a puddle of molten wax, rendering his weapons useless. He tries to hurl his belt at the light but it doesn't work. Fortunately, one of the wax figures has a metal frame and with it and Batman manages to shatter the light. However, it releases a toxic gas into the room. Wormwood tells him that he'll shut off the gas only if Batman gives him his cape and cowl.

Wormwood gets what he wanted

In a twist, Wormwood ends up with Batman's cape and cowl after all.

Seeing no way out, Batman surrenders the desired prize to Wormwood. Fortunately, his identity is still secret as Batman is wearing a bandanna underneath the cowl. Wormwood is unconcerned and takes the cape and cowl. Not ready to fully give up, Batman breaks the glass leading into Wormwood's control room, only to find him already gone.

Later, as arranged, Wormwood meets the Baron in his penthouse and demands to know why he wants Batman's cape and cowl. The Baron refuses to tell unless Wormwood reveals the location of the bearer bonds. Giving in, Wormwood tells him and demands his information. The Baron laughs and answers, "I am going... to wear them." Turning around, the "criminal" is revealed to be none other than Batman, who was impersonating Josek the entire time. Wormwood tries to escape with a locker key, which is required to retrieve the bonds, but Batman gives chase. Wormwood attacks Batman and after a short fight he slips out the window and is nearly killed but Batman saves him. Wormwood is taken into custody, and as there were bugs in the room, evidence isn't a problem.

In prison, Wormwood is given a package with a note explaining as "Confinement will speed your reform, but long, cold nights will be the norm, so here's a thing to keep you warm." He opens it only to discover it's Batman's cape and cowl. In a rage, he throws it aside.

Continuity

  • This episode contains the first use of the Bat-signal in the DC Animated Universe.
  • Batman's tactic of disguising himself to trap his enemies and get information from them is later used in "Almost Got 'Im", in which he impersonates Killer Croc and orchestrates a sting operation.

Background information

Home video releases

Production inconsistencies

  • When Batman says to Wormwood, "You win", his mouth doesn't match the line.
  • When Wormwood asks, "Now, what will you do with the cape and cowl?" right before Batman reveals himself, the cape and cowl disappear from Josek's desk.

Trivia

  • The episode is based on the comics story "The Cape and Cowl Death Trap!" (Detective Comics #450, August 1975), also by Elliot S. Maggin.
  • In pre-production, the original script was to have someone steal the cape and cowl and impersonate Batman while on a crime rampage. This would have been based on an episode of the old George Reeves series The Adventures of Superman.
  • Bruce Timm mentioned in an interview that he was originally going to have Batman show his face to Wormwood as he gives him the cape and cowl, but he changed his mind, as he does not like seeing Bruce without his mask on. Strangely enough, Bruce pulls off his mask in the next episode.
  • Bud Cort later voiced Toyman on Superman: The Animated Series.
  • John Rhys-Davies later voiced Hades on Justice League.

Cast

Actor Role
Kevin Conroy Batman
Bob Hastings Commissioner Gordon
Bud Cort Wormwood
John Rhys-Davies Josek
Gaille Heidemann Matron
Mark Taylor McWhirter

Uncredited appearances

Quotes

McWhirter: (Reading Instructions) "Where tracks and golf balls roll and wind, round colored banners of all kind, here, new instructions you will find."

Gordon: Look up "slippery" in the dictionary and you get Josiah Wormwood.

Wormwood: Alright. I'll get you the Batman's cape and cowl. That won't be difficult. He is only human, after all.

Batman: I want information from you. By the way, I hope you're not afraid of heights.

Batman: (Reading Instructions) "Where iron horses go to rot, and children toot their horns a lot. A damsel's pleas will come to naught."
Gordon: Do you know what it means?
Batman: Don't you?

Batman: (about the Bat-signal) Got a new toy, I see.

Batman: (Reading Instructions) "Where George Washington and young Babe Ruth, stand side by side with John Wilkes Booth, Batman will find… a plan most uncouth!".
Gordon: Well? What do you think this one means?
Batman: Those famous figures standing around together? DeLarue's Wax Museum, what else?
Gordon: Oh… of course.

Batman: All right. All right! Turn off the gas. You win.

Wormwood: You were playing... playing me for a fool!
Batman: From the day you first walked in here.

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