Written by: Robert Goodman
Directed by: Yukio Suzuki
Animation by: Dong Yang
Original air date: May 22, 1999
Rating: **** out of 5

Description: With his condition deteriorating fast, Blight calls upon his son to take over the company. But he has set too evil of an example for his own good.
Highs: Blight's journey into madness is well executed, Terry "grows up" as well, lots of neat glowing effects.
Lows: The Derek Powers menace ends far too quickly; Paxton Powers...P.P.? It's just not the same.
Overall: Like it or not, it's the end of season 1 and Derek Powers, but it's a great ep as is.

In recent weeks of BB continuity, Derek Powers, CEO of Wayne-Powers corporation by day, has been moonlighting as the radioactive criminal Blight, stealing chemicals to keep his condition hidden. Batman is there to foil his latest attempt. Blight escapes, but Bats discovers a Wayne-Powers identification card on one of his accomplices.

With his supply of chemicals exhausted, Blight can no longer keep his identity a secret. He calls upon his son Paxton to take his place as CEO...but in name only. Meanwhile, he can retreat to somewhere safe and give orders from there. Seems like a good plan, until the highly publicized conference in which Derek Powers is to announce his resignation. Some angry protesters storm into the hall, causing Powers to lose his temper. In front of the whole world, his disguise falls apart, revealing the monster inside.

From then on, the ep focuses on Blight trying to separate himself from the world around him, but both Batman and his son are out to get him.
The characters are pretty good here. It surprised me to have Blight's identity revealed so soon, but his gradual descent into madness was well executed. He is no longer the cold, calculating corporate emperor before, he's portrayed as a lonely, desperate man just trying to get away from it all.

It seems as if Terry's growing up too. During the conference, Blight attacks Bruce, but Terry comes to his rescue. Uneasily, Bruce says "Thank you...Batman". His attitude is getting darker as well. When the whole world realizes who Blight is, Terry only says "Good. Now the whole world can see who he is...even in the dark."

Paxton Powers is the son called upon to take over the company. But he's not exactly trustworthy...his father taught him too well. In fact, Paxton turns on Derek the first opportunity he gets. He takes the position of CEO, and thus "ascends" to the top of the company. The title of this ep is appropriate to describe both Terry and the villain.

The art in this ep was great, but having Blight in there automatically means some cool glow effects. The only thing I don't like is that they eliminated the Derek/Blight secret identity. Watching him balance the two sides was one of the more interesting sides of the series. We are only left with one other credible Blight battle (Meltdown). Somehow I doubt Paxton will have the same effect on us as Derek did.

Without a doubt this was a landmark event. Not only does Terry learn about Blight, his nemesis learns that he killed Batman's father. Blight then reveals that he has killed MANY people in the past, so that bit of info doesn't help much. Paxton sets up his own father, saying "We never did go fishing together". But Blight uses his last ounce of strength to force his pursuers away.

This ep ends with Blight in a leaky sub, sinking into Gotham Bay just like old Mr. Fixx. Batman is there to warn Paxton afterwards that he's not the one to be worried about. Is Blight dead? He hasn't appeared in season 2...but in the animated world, nothing's true until you're told so.

-The Overseer