Batman: Brave and the Bold

[kiltie]

I know there was a thread on the Batman:The Antimated Series show, but a quick search doesn't show anything on this one. Anybody watching it (...as I am, right now )? It's really solid. Aimed at a decidedly younger audience, but loaded with characters from every era of DC.

Bats wears his classic blue and grey pjs. In each episode, he teams up with a different hero; Green Lantern, Blue Beetle, Green Arrow ( with Speedy, no less ), Plastic Man, etc... The different character incarnations range from the very modern ( Blue Beetle is very futuristic ) to straight Golden and Silver Age ( Green Arrow - clean shaven, Robin Hood costume...). The animation style is a bit of a blend as well; simple, clean, modern lines with a smattering of CG, but classic movement and character/facial depictions. Batman never appears as Bruce Wayne ( not yet, anyway ), so it's just wall to wall action.

When I said it's geared to a younger audience, understand it doesn't pander; it's just not "gritty". It's got some really solid humor, particularly in the banter between the heroes. It comes on Saturday mornings on Cartoon Network, and if you like the earlier heroes or classic depictions of any of the DC crew, I recommend this one.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

I agree, it's a lot of fun! It really caught me by surprise as I didn't have very high hopes for it. My seven year old daughter loves it too.

There has been one appearance by Bruce Wayne though, but it was a flashback to his parents murder in Crime Alley.

 

[The Wolf]

I watch this with my young son and we both enjoy it, even the snazzy theme music.
It is played more for fun than recent incarnations. Definately lighter than The Dark Knight. One episode had a prison break with inmates like Egghead, the Bookworm, King Tut and other Adam West "Batman" villains running by.
I also enjoy the classic look, not quite Golden Age costume like I'm trying make.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

[ortega76]

It's funny, it's a good deal lighter than the other recent Batman series. I ws wary of some of the team-ups (oh, how I loathe Plastic Man) but the show is very fun. I like Diedrich Bader as Batman, he provides the perfect tone for the series. Fun but too campy.

 

[Matt Deckard]

Been watching this one as well. I loved the plastic man team up.

 

[kiltie]

Yeah... Plastic Man! I hadn't seen that guy on the screen since I guess I was about seven or eight at the oldest (had to be somewhere between '79 and '81 ), when he had his own show for a while. I'm particularly liking the way Green Arrow is being portrayed, both as a character and his physical appearance. Good banter with Batman when they fight Clock King.

One thing I especially like IS the lighter tone, availing Bats to a younger audience. It's a shame that younger kids are ( or should be - ARE YOU LISTENING, PARENTS... ) shut out on the recent bigscreen adaptations. It's good to have quality adult escapism too, but dammit, kids need their Batman. I think this is a good one.

 

[The Wolf]

Very good point.
I have a fairly long disertation about comics for kids these days.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

[resortes805]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-iDLwSrkx4
Here's a great clip, with the original batmobile!

 

[kiltie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-iDLwSrkx4
Here's a great clip, with the original batmobile!

Great! Thanks for that. Nods to a few generations of Batman: old Batmobile, typically '60's kit, and the "Stop..." gag from the 1989 movie.
This show gets better and better, going deeper into the older characters, more obscure characters, and more. The humor is top drawer without being intentionally "high concept". Good, good cartoon.

 

[Son_of_Atropos]

If Mark Hamill is not the joker? HERESY!!!

 

[Bruce Wayne]

i cant wait for the season finale on friday where he teams up with the joker. wha!!!