The Fear Gas Bat Trap cannot be defined in a classical way as a bat trap. The reason for this is that it does not feature our luscious heroine Batgirl in a truly hazardous situation, such as dunked in caviar, tied up in a human knot or shot into space. While the dazzling damsel is in danger by being held hostage by the cowardly cowpoke Shame, no overt action is ever taken against her. The uniqueness of the Fear Gas Bat Trap is in the role reversal that occurs. Our bold and brave seductress in the shimmering purple Bat Suit is suddenly reduced to a cowering and whimpering coward, incapable of taking any action.
The scenario begins with a fight scene at the opera house. The terrific trio of Batman, Batgirl and Robin literally mop the floor with Shame and his gang, putting them all out of action. Just as congratulations are in order for a job well done, victory is stolen from the trio by Calamity Jan and Frontier Fanny, who spray them with a vile concoction known as Fear Gas. The bold crime fighters are instantly reduced to utter helplessness as they gather together, cowering in fear of Shame and his cohorts.
As in Lady Prudence’s assault against her with paralyzing gas, our Caped Crusadress is again taken completely unaware by the Fear Gas attack. It is pointless to belabor the fact that the bold beauty needs to be more aware of criminal intent. Besides, a greater awareness toward Shame’s two female miscreants would not advance the story. It is interesting to note that right after the attack, the Terrific Trio is huddled together, so helpless and paralyzed with fear that they do not run away from Shame and his evil gang. This, too, would not advance the story.
While Shame and his cohorts quickly recover from their beating, our crime fighting heroes stand hunched over, completely terrorized. Batman, the supposed courageous leader of the group, cowers behind our delectable heroine, who he uses as a human shield to protect himself from Shame. Batgirl, whose eyes are filled with fear, is hunched down, holding her arms together as if pleading with the villains not to harm her. She constantly whimpers.
When Shame approaches the trembling trio, Batman asks Shame what he has done to them. Shame announces the use of Fear Gas and from now on the caped crime fighters will be scared of everything. The terrified trio now begins to grovel and beg for their lives. In between sobs, a quaking Batgirl pleads with Shame, “Spare our lives, kind sir!”
Shame decides not to kill them, but plans to take Batgirl as a hostage. This pleases the sniveling Caped Crusader Batman, who cries, “Take her, take her, take her! She’s yours.” One suspects that Batgirl was chosen as the prisoner because of Shame’s hatred and contempt for Batman. (I can think of a couple of other reasons! - the editor)
Shame and his gang leave the opera house, taking a totally helpless Batgirl, who continues to whimper and is completely paralyzed with fear. As he leaves, Shame continues to taunt the now helpless Dynamic Duo. Batman and Robin rejoice that Shame has taken Batgirl and left them unharmed.
The next scene shows Batman and Robin back at the Batcave, still heavily under the effects of Fear Gas. Robin is absolutely paranoid about Alfred, the butler, claiming, “He’s always hated us!” Alfred, however, administers Batantidote Powder, restoring the Dynamic Duo to their old crime fighting selves.
Meanwhile, our curvaceously caped heroine, now in the clutches of the vile Shame, is shown sitting on a hay bale, bound and gagged. From the rather impassive look on her face, she appears to have overcome the effects of the gas. When the booted beauty is dragged struggling from the stables by Shame and Fred, this shows that the Fear Gas has probably worn off.
The action resumes in the next episode as the Dynamic Duo and Shame with his evil gang meet for a prisoner exchange. Frontier Fanny (who was captured at the conclusion of Part One – ed.) is to be traded for Batgirl. The scene begins with a strong hint of bondage as we see our Bat Beauty being pulled around by a rope while bound and gagged. By the time both sides meet to discuss the exchange, Batgirl’s gag has slipped and she warns, “Don’t make a deal, Batman! They’ll gun you down!” An alert to her champion instead of cowering in fear is proof-positive that the delicious dare doll has totally recovered from the effects of Fear Gas.
The obligatory fight breaks out and the Caped Cutie looks for a way to free herself from her bonds. She finds a saber among the artifacts at the Central American Pavilion at the closed World’s Fair and quickly cuts through her ropes. Batgirl joins the battle and inflicts some serious pain on Shame and Fred, thus further proving that Batgirl is back to her normal crime fighting self. The fight ends, however, as Shame shoots a rope sending three pinata crashing down on the Terrific Trio, putting them out of action and allowing Shame and his vile cohorts to escape. The three caped crime fighters recover and all are now free from the effects of Fear Gas, thus concluding the Bat Trap.
Now for the ratings:
The Fear Gas Bat Trap is an excellent entrapment in that we get to see our luscious heroine Batgirl in a totally different way. A despicable reversal of fortune changers her from a bold dynamic crime fighter to a sniveling coward . . . however, with her usual pluck and spunkiness, Batgirl is able to overcome her initial defeat and triumph over Shame and his evil gang.