Episode 1 - 'Rise of the Blue Beetle!' Discussion Thread

[Mister J]

Batman and Blue Beetle team up to save an alien race from Kanjar Ro.
First ep! November 14 @ 8:00 PM.

[Captain Planet!]

I'll be watching.

[I Am The Knight]

So this Batty will go to space? Awesome.

[Mister J]

Yeah, I like that they'll be giving attention to the more fantastic aspects of Batman as a superhero.

Btw, Cartoon Network has a video player at their site (which is promising the ability to watch full length episodes). Currently, there's a two minute preview scene from the first episode. Beetle looks to be a pretty fun character.

http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/video/dlink/index.html

[DJ Kornphlake]

So this Batty will go to space? Awesome.

He can breathe in space.

[Bathead]

He can breathe in space.

Where did you get that idea?

[KenshinAtrain]

Im gonna give this show a shot....heres hoping that its good

[Superman Prime]

I'll definitely be watching this. The pilot, at least, to gauge if it's worth seeing more.

[BizarroAids]

I'll be watching this episode for sure!! Not that I mean this in a bad way, but this doesn't seem like a pilot episode to me. First episode in space? Just not use to that being the first thing. But, it excites me. I've really grown more and more fond of this show, since I saw the first character design.

So do we get the full episode after it premiers?

Any chance of some more stills or gifs from that sneak peek? Or any of the footage?:huh:

[Dark Knight90!]

Another preview clip from Canadian website Teletoon:

http://www.teletoon.com/teletoon3/teletoon.php?language=En&brand=teletoon&init=php&func=php|/misc/newsletter/vip/2008_11/VIP_videoBatmanBAB.php|0

[myway]

So this show is gonna be on Cartoon Network?

[Dark Knight90!]

So this show is gonna be on Cartoon Network?

Yep... On Cartoon Network every Friday night at 8pm apparently.

[Syncos]

He can breathe in space.

Where did you get that idea?

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9451/20050131aiw7.gif

Shortpacked.

[Bathead]

Oh, I get it. It's a joke. Shoulda known.!

[DJ Kornphlake]

Also:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f24/dj_kornphlake/shortpacked/20050930atmosphere.gif

[Hush]

That is funny as hell!

[SoulManX]

I do hope this is better than the Batman:o

[November Rain]

i'll give it a fair shot.

there shoudl be a moderator saying any references to tbas or dcau before the end of the season should be classed as unecessary spamming/trolling.

[I Am The Knight]

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9451/20050131aiw7.gif

Shortpacked.

HAHAHAH BATGOD!!! :grin:

[Dark Knight90!]

i'll give it a fair shot.

there shoudl be a moderator saying any references to tbas or dcau before the end of the season should be classed as unecessary spamming/trolling.

A discussion is a discussion!

So if I say, 'OMG, this new Batman show is the best thing ever! Even better than the entire DCAU, including Batman: The Animated Series!!!'...

Would I be trolling?

[Bathead]

I do hope this is better than the Batman:o

I personally liked The Batman, it dragged a little at first, but it got better as the seasons got on. I suspect that's because I had no expectations of it being anything like Timm's version. This version seems likely to be even more for the kids than The Batman, so on that level I suspect (and have already seen) that the fans of Timm's Batman will probably like this one even less. I'm looking forward to it, because it looks like the Batman and Brave and the Bold comics of my youth, only probably better written with a modern spin.

[Two-Face]

I do hope this is better than the Batman:o

Me too.

[November Rain]

A discussion is a discussion!

So if I say, 'OMG, this new Batman show is the best thing ever! Even better than the entire DCAU, including Batman: The Animated Series!!!'...

Would I be trolling?
technically yes but positive comments like that usually don't derail a thread, they just get ignored.

[Syncos]

i'll give it a fair shot.

there shoudl be a moderator saying any references to tbas or dcau before the end of the season should be classed as unecessary spamming/trolling.

I think legitimate comparisons to dcau should be warranted. That is the quality at which any dc animated series will and should be compared to. This show should not get any special treatment. If people don't think it matches up to dcau quality, then they should be free to vocalize that.

[SHADOWBAT69]

Ill behonest, Im looking forward to a lighter toned Batman for a change. We've had years of the dark and brooding Batman. A more friendly version wouldnt hurt anyone. Its a cartoon for kids, lets just enjoy it for what it is.

[DJ Kornphlake]

I think legitimate comparisons to dcau should be warranted. That is the quality at which any dc animated series will and should be compared to. This show should not get any special treatment. If people don't think it matches up to dcau quality, then they should be free to vocalize that.

The legitimate comparisons I have no problems with. It's the posts that only complain that this show isn't like TAS, or that it should be like TAS, or will never be as good as TAS that are getting tiresome.

[November Rain]

very true,

saying this isnt dcau or why can't they just bring back dcau isn't a decent argument especially since they are trying to stay clear of all comparisons by setting themselves up as unique.

it happened all the time in the batman and it got tiresome. It was clear right up till the end of season four that it was not trying to be anything like dcau and even accomplished in bettering it in some respects.

[Two-Face]

Ill behonest, Im looking forward to a lighter toned Batman for a change. We've had years of the dark and brooding Batman. A more friendly version wouldnt hurt anyone. Its a cartoon for kids, lets just enjoy it for what it is.



Lighter Batman? The Batman was lighter than BTAS...

[LegionsOfGotham]

I think one of the problems with 'The Batman' was that it wasn't really a different show. it had an updated design, but really followed too similar of a format.

Brave and the Bold really tears away from what we know in recent animated batman and throws him back into the super friends days. I really enjoyed this episode and I'm looking forward to watching more!

[SHADOWBAT69]

Lighter Batman? The Batman was lighter than BTAS...

I dont think so. It was just presented differently. Brave and the Bold is actually giving us a different Batman from a different time. The silver age.

[Spidey 2007]

this is nuts, im literally baffeled at such a positive respone overall to this. dont et me wrong looks liek a fine show and im nto bashing it, but wow... people are accepting it? I remember when "the Batman" came out everyone just bashed it because it wasnt liek btas i guess and didnt live up to it... but its odd that we are so welcome to a lighter, livelier batman than even "the Batman" which wasnt that dark at all. it eventually got better, but still had sidekicks galore.

[Mister J]

Spidey, I think it's like a saying that they toss around in sports: You don't want to be the guy that follows a legend. You want to be the guy who follows the guy who follows the legend. :funny:
Allow me to present my take on the perceived difference.

B:TAS (and by extension, the entire DCAU) was so well-received and acclaimed and rich in its portrayals, that the next animated series to focus on Batman was likely to be the recipient of heightened scrutiny. Even though B:TAS ended in '97 (or '95 if you want to separate Gotham Knights, which received its own criticism for 'not being B:TAS enough'), there was still plenty of that 'universe's' Batman that could be seen in syndication, as well as through Justice League/Justice League Unlimited, which was still on the air when The Batman premiered in 2004. Having such a thorough and favored character interpretation still active while a new show came on was going to rankle some people and bring the immediate question 'Why don't they just continue B:TAS?' There was an identifiable overlap in proximity. Comparison and inevitable disdain could almost be guaranteed as a reaction within the fanbase ...and that's even before one episode of The Batman was broadcast.

Another reason why The Batman caught so much flak was due to its aesthetics. It's art style came off as some anime-inspired acid trip and a number of the 'new' character designs struck me as ridiculous. A little revamp isn't necessarily a bad thing, but some of those choices were just awful (Joker, Penguin and Bane, to start off with).

Lastly, I found the show (save Season 4) rather bland throughout its duration. The lighter' tone of the stories wasn't really a problem. However, the execution of the episodes and subject matter left a little to be desired. Outside of the mentioned exclusion, it just wasn't that good on a consistent basis. That surely did it no favors.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold, while not completely immune to the above criticisms, doesn't suffer from them in the same regard. Though the B:TAS incarnation is still fondly remembered, some time has passed since it ended, including the passage of another show that's taken some of the sting off. The character designs (and implied tone) don't seem that drastic. They strike me as a slightly modified interpretation of the Silver Age. There's a familiarity there, that speaks against trying to re-invent the wheel. Also, I believe it holds some appeal as it's reflective of the style of Batman which was introduced a number of us to the character; be it the actual books, the old '60's show or the varied SuperFriends iterations. Overall, the show just looks fun. It's not trying to be the dark and brooding Batman, but seems to be going for a different entertainment quotient that won't relegate it to being silly, but will explore a little levity mixed alongside the heroism that we expect from Batman. Ultimately, the show will be judged on how good it is. Even though we've yet to see exactly what that is, for a number of the reasons listed above, I can see how people would be more receptive to this than the last animated Batman offering.

...or something like that. :batman:

[KenshinAtrain]

Great post Mister J

[LegionsOfGotham]

A great and well thought out post Mister J. I have to disagree on one point. The Batman did catch a little flack for re-designs at first, from a select amount of fans..but it got the true bashing from its writing. The lack of any in-depth character development. It gave a show this ultra modern hip look and failed to deliver the stories and writing to accompany it.

Just my two cents.

[Mister J]

Thanks, guys.
LOG, that's another good point. It opens up some of what I was trying to get at with the blandness comment. The Batman just didn't get around to truly tapping into the potential that it could have. I'm hoping that won't be a concern with this show. The style lends itself to a lot of fun.

We get to see what this baby offers tonight. :hyper:

[Dark Knight90!]

Well... I hope all American and Canadian Bat-fans enjoy this episode tonight. (Cause god knows when we will get the show :csad:)

And... Hope someone is a good Samaritan and You Tube's it or something.

[terry78]

Well, a couple hours and we get to see the show we've all been waiting, or in other cases, cringing, for. That theme song and opening alone is seizure-inducing candy, and it takes me back to Sat. morning for real. Can't wait.

[The Guardian]

I HAD COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN ABOUT THIS AND ALMOST MISSED IT!!!:eek: I WAS LOOKING AT MY DIRECT TV SCHEDULE TO SEE WHAT TIME STAR WARS TCW WAS GONNA BE ON WHEN I SAW THIS ON THE SCHEDULE ON CARTOON NETWORK!!!:D:up: THANK YOU MASTER YODA FOR HELPING ME SEE THE LIGHT, MAY THE SHWARTZ BE WITH YOU!!!:oldrazz::D:up:

[Captain Planet!]

One hour. :up:

[cerealkiller182]

Wow Blue Beetles a big batman fanboy

Didnt realize his name was pronounced with Spanish phonetics, which seems stupid considering hes Hispanic, but I always read Jaime as Jamie for whatever reason.

[Captain Planet!]

So far, I like. :up:

[KenshinAtrain]

not bad so far and i called Jaime as Hi-me i guess it cause im used to calling my friend Jorge and not George

[KenshinAtrain]

is that will friedel voicing jaime cause if so thats awesome

[cerealkiller182]

yes its friedle

[KenshinAtrain]

yay i was right .....i like when he voices characters Terry McGinis and of course Ron Stopable

[Greg]

Aww man, I'm having SO much fun watching this with my baby sister! Who else cracked up with the saving the cat scene? :woot: And, "Sidekick. Why do you not kneel?":woot:

[Captain Planet!]

I really, really enjoyed this. It exceeded all my expectations.

[The Guardian]

Aww man, I'm having SO much fun watching this with my baby sister! Who else cracked up with the saving the cat scene? :woot: And, "Sidekick. Why do you not kneel?":woot:

LOL YEAH THAT WAS FUNNY AS HELL, I LIKED THE SHOW IT WAS FUN, I LIKE THAT BATS NARRATES IT!!!:D:up:

[KenshinAtrain]

this show was great i really enjoyed it ...i loved that clock kings bodyguards were named tick and tock

[Comic Book Boy]

It's gotten me to want to see it again next week.

[terry78]

I think this Batman will be the eyes and ears of the audience, as all the weird **** that happens he's like, "are you serious?" He pretty much addresses that all the phenomena that happens is out of his realm, yet has to remain stoic.

[Greg]

LOL YEAH THAT WAS FUNNY AS HELL, I LIKED THE SHOW IT WAS FUN, I LIKE THAT BATS NARRATES IT!!!:D:up:

I really like Batman's voice a a lot. Another thing that cracked me up...

"Poison Ivy controlling Superman with her spores against Batman with no Kryptonite. Who wins?"

"Superman."

"Wrong! Batman. With Kyptonite!"

"You said no Kyptonite!"

"Trick question. Batman ALWAYS carries Kyptonite in his utility belt." :woot:

[SHADOWBAT69]

I really liked it. The show is pretty straight forward on what its intentions are. Its a kids show. Its not trying to be "dumbed down adult animation and strories". Its its own beast. I really liked the animation in it. The voice acting was pretty good as well. The story telling was kept on the most basic level. These elements worked well together. Right from the very beginning this felt like a silver age show. I loved the way Bats and Arrow were tied to the inside of that clock, with all the large gears. Jerry Robinson and Dick Sprang immediately popped into mind. The superhero pose that batman always takes is great. Also, did anyone notice that Batmobile in the beginning credits? That thing is awesome! I so want a toy of that!lol I will admit some of the kiddie one liners and goofiness made me roll my eyes a couple times, but it also made me smile at the same time. I think this show has brought a pureness back to the character and maybe with it, some new young fans. I cant wait until next Friday.

[DOG LIPS]

I expected some serious camp, but it actually wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. I actually like the show a lot, it's very fun and entertaining. I like the style and feel to it. Will definitely keep watching. :up:

[Hellstormer]

I enjoyed the show for the most part. Some time the lines got a little annoying, especially some of the things bat said, but I loved his voice and narrations. I kinda wish we would've seen more of Green Arrow hopefully we'll see him in the future....with a beard. His hat design did bother me though. Made me think of a pelican.

[Ratcrawler]

Ok wow. Didn't care for that at all. Makes me wish they never cancelled JLU.

[BubbaGump]

Ok wow. Didn't care for that at all. Makes me wish they never cancelled JLU.

Troll. No, I'm just kidding.

I missed tonight's episode (damn), but I'll catch the rerun tomorrow and I'll be posting my thoughts then. Judging from the response, people seem to like it and I have already been looking forward to this for quite a while, so I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy it. The animation and previews I've seen have been really solid. I'm just disappointed I missed it tonight.

[Superman Prime]

This is definitely a show meant to appeal almost soley to children and preteens. It's a Silver Age Batman stepped into the modern era, emphasizing humor and fun action above anything profound. The story of this first episode was sturdy. A young, inexperienced Blue Beetle teams up with Batman. They are transported across the galaxy, where they try to help the strange natives of an alien world defeat a space bully and his goons. If you remember not to take this too seriously, you'll enjoy it.

The writing, animation, and voice-acting are good enough that I will catch the next episode.

[Double Down]

I watched that with my girlfriend and we hated it. Superfriends is fun because it was a simpler time and that show reflects it. This show is trying to do that, but it doesn't work. It's like when you watch a big budget movie try to be less than it is, like "Grindhouse," and you spend too much time looking at the fake scratches. This show, I spent too much time thinking, "Oh, that's like the '60s," or whatever, so I never got into the story. It was form over function.
Animation-wise, The Clone Wars is trying something new. The Brave and the Bold is trying something old, and it's just a big step back from what we've seen. It's like they decided they couldn't top what they have already done, so they wouldn't try. Too bad.

[Double Down]

But kids might like it.

[Superman Prime]

B&TB is trying something old in a new setting. I think it pulled it off rather well, judging on that episode alone. We'll see how it does overall. I'll stick around with it to find out.

[Mister J]

I liked it. A solid first offering. I think the dynamic between Batman's demeanor and whomever the guest hero is will make for some fun (they really piqued my interest in that regard with Green Arrow). The wit is a bit more appreciable than I would have imagined it to be and the animates seems smoother than what I'd expected from some of the clips.

I'll have to check the DVR, but I could have sworn I saw a Streaky the Super Cat reference last night. :woot:

Overall, it was more than enough to get me to tune in next week. 8/10.

[Prison Mike]

Not a fan of this show but I'm glad the little kids have something for their own. It seems like the past Batman cartoons were always geared for an older audience so I'm happy that the 7 or 8 year olds can enjoy this.

[The Manly Torch]

I really enjoyed it. The whole gadget aspect is obviously overdone, and making fun of that didn't really make up for it. He can pull out a sword? He's got a jetpack? He can just bring out an oxygen shield out of his mask? He always carries Kryptonite around? (Why?) But, y'know, maybe that's just the Silver Age aspect. I'm willing to look past it.

I expected that these pairings would just happen, and that'd there would really be no story about it. They did with the Green Arrow, but it... it kinda made sense, and then we moved to the Blue Beetle, and I think they did a great job with his character. However, I have no character to expect there; I personally have no clue who the Blue Beetle is (I keep up with Marvel, not DC). But, it's apparent that they've delved into the Blue Beetle's history. I like that. Another thing I was expecting was just a Batman cartoon with cameos, but this looks like it's actually just going to use Batman as an anchor for concentrating on all these DC heroes. This, I will be excited to see. I'm looking forward to the Plastic Man episode, 'cause I don't know anything about him, and I'd like to, even if they take their own liberties with it.

[terry78]

I laughed my ass off at Jaime and his friend basically doing a reinterpretation of the Batman vs. Superman threads so many of these boards have.

[Ceb-Man]

I'll admit I like the darker Batman, but I really love this show. I like the tributes to Dick Sprang and Jeery Robinsons' work. I love Blue Beetle on this show. Sure it is targeted to kids, but the kids need something to enjoy. This show is a great way to introduce other Dc characters. I noticed in the opening them some characters not seen in animation like Guy Gardner and Bronze Tiger. Maybe this show could bring about spin -offs like a Blue Beetle and Plastic-man animated show. Hey DC needs to step up marvel is putting out a lot of animated projects like Wolverine and The X-Me, Iron-man, Avengers, Spectacular Spider-man, and Thor.

[Jochimus]

I have to admit, I'll be sticking around for the next episode. That's something I couldn't do after the first episode of The Batman.

The bookend narration by Bats is kind of a new thing, but IMO it actually helps since as the straight man in a team-up formula, Bats is essentially playing second fiddle, and the dialogue works with Bader in a way that it probably wouldn't have with either Conroy or Romano. Some other things I liked:

- This show's version of Clock King.
- The fanboy scene at the beginning.
- Batman being the Beetle's "sidekick". Priceless.
- The look of the new Batmobile (seen only in the opening credits this time).
- Batman mentioning that he and Green Arrow "go way back".

[Ceb-Man]

I have to admit, I'll be sticking around for the next episode. That's something I couldn't do after the first episode of The Batman.

The bookend narration by Bats is kind of a new thing, but IMO it actually helps since as the straight man in a team-up formula, Bats is essentially playing second fiddle, and the dialogue works with Bader in a way that it probably wouldn't have with either Conroy or Romano. Some other things I liked:

- This show's version of Clock King.
- The fanboy scene at the beginning.
- Batman being the Beetle's "sidekick". Priceless.
- The look of the new Batmobile (seen only in the opening credits this time).
- Batman mentioning that he and Green Arrow "go way back".


I like those things too.

[KBX]

Hey, it was enjoyable.... thats all I can ask from this show. Of course, Im a big JLU fan, but that is not going to hinder what I think of Brave and the Bold. Its going to take some time for me to get to the animation and style, but thats all its going to take..... time.

Superhero Bats, using his gadgets from his utility belt, to his jet pack cape was nice to see.

So I assume we get Bats, teaming up with about 2 heros per episode? sounds fun...

[Edward Nigma]

it was good. nothing amazing. will definitely be watching next week.

but i gotta say, i liked The Batman better.

[Drz]

Okay i honestly love this show, why? Its so cheesy and Corny that it makes it awesome. =D Just hope we get to see Catwoman and Joker in this, we know Dick Grayson will be later on the show.

[Spider-Vader]

Okay i honestly love this show, why? Its so cheesy and Corny that it makes it awesome. =D Just hope we get to see Catwoman and Joker in this, we know Dick Grayson will be later on the show.

I think the first couple episode will be Batman helping heroes, but later ones will be heroes helping Batman. So I think seeing many of Bats' villains in gonna happen.

[Superman Prime]

Hey Spider-Vader. I think Johnny Depp would make a good Riddler, because he's a very versatile, talented actor that has a knack for playing very complex characters.

Want to call me a noob to my face?

[Ceb-Man]

Joker will appear. I saw in the opening credits of the list of names around Batman, Joker was one of the names. I trust he will be better drawn than the Batman version.

[Drz]

I guess something like a 50s Joker, abit of Jack Nicholson look. :P

[BlueLightning]

Well here is my opinion.

I started watching this episode and I got myself fascinated with all the cliches from the Clock King and the deathtrap where Bat´s and Green Arrow where. The overall story wasn´t spectacular but worked out fine for me. I must admit I´m not very acclimated to all the fantastic gadget Batman has (Like the sticker batarang from his symbol), or Batman´s dialogue, but it´s growing on me. Not that is written badly, is just diferent from what I have been hearing from him the last years. (Not counting the episodes of the Adam West show)

I would have loved to read some Dick Sprang stuff, and I think with the show I kinda getting this. It is still Batman, and I loved how many aspects of his basic personality are showing in this take of the character. Overall I liked this episode a lot. Looking forward for the next episode.

And yes. The Joker is in the names of the opening, I hope he gets " Dick Spranged".

[BlueLightning]

How did I forgot? Did anyone catched the reference from Frank Miller´s The Dark Knight Returns?

A Brave and the Boldized version of the cover is on Blue Bettle´s wall.

Starro is in one of these pictures too.

[rogue trooper]

I'm a nostalgic guy who still enjoys the old Space Ghost, Birdman, and the old DC Comics cartoons from Filmation. This show seems like a love letter to those old cartoons. I'm digging it so far. The look of the show really reminds me of the work of Alex Toth, Jack Kirby, Dick Sprang, and Mike Ploog.:up:

[Orb]

I don't have cartoon network so any other places online I can watch?

[rogue trooper]

Maybe YouTube.

[Shocker 9000]

I don't see this up on Youtube yet excpet for an incomplete version where someone just filmed their TV so the sound sucks. Anyone know when the rerun will be aired on Cartoon Network? I know they rerun their stuff, especially new stuff all the time so they'll probably show it again. Heck they're probably rerunning it now but I'm at work so I don't know.

P.S. and unrelated, any else watch and kind of like that "Secret Saturdays" show? It's very influenced by old comics, you can tell.

[Hush]

I just watched it today and have to say that it was kinda fun but nothing amazing. IT should be fun to watch.

[BubbaGump]

I just watched it today and have to say that it was kinda fun but nothing amazing. IT should be fun to watch.

You just said it was fun? :huh:

[JerseyJoker]

I was in-different to it.

I enjoyed the style of the show, they got the look down pat. The campyness of it, takes a bit to get use to, first viewing it was a bit bothersome, but watching it again, you get out of the whole "Dark Knight" persona, and into a more light persona of the Cape Crusader, it becomes fun to watch.

Im not that big of a fan of the entire DC universe, but Blue Beetle was a fun character to watch, my only gripe is having Oswald from Drew Carrey show as Batman's voice, just doesn't work for me.

[Dread]

Finally managed to catch this episode online, and after a helpful nudge from Mister J, I found the time to post my thoughts on this.

The Batman franchise is the healthiest one that WB has in terms of DC characters. SUPERMAN RETURNS' underwhelming performance spooked the heck out of them, causing them to back peddle pretty much anything that isn't Batman or Vertigo stuff. Over the past 15 years or so, Batman's presence on the small screen (as well as big) has usually been constant, from BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES that switched titles three times and even switched networks to last over 100 episodes, to BATMAN BEYOND featuring a new, teenage Batman, to JUSTICE LEAGUE/JLU that added that Batman to a team of like heroes. Then, a new take on the Dark Knight in the controversial THE BATMAN, a show that attempted to blend darkness and light for a 21st century audience well used to anime. And that doesn't even count any Bat-guest appearances on shows like STATIC SHOCK or the BATMAN BEYOND spin off, THE ZETA PROJECT. Or even Batman's "sidekick" Robin being among the main characters of TEEN TITANS.

When I originally saw preview art for BATMAN: BRAVE AND THE BOLD, I almost laughed. It looked and sounded like "Batman Team Up", which was what the last season of THE BATMAN was. Furthermore, it seemed to take the very same Dick Sprang artwork and style that B:TAS once mocked and ran with it full time. I wasn't especially impressed nor was I inclined to make superhuman efforts to see the program.

There may be many reasons why this approach was taken for another Batman cartoon, especially with the "dark, scary" DARK KNIGHT scoring one of the best box offices in history. Some will say it was made deliberately towards kids, especially those in third grade or younger, and maybe that is true. But it may also be true that, literally, there is no other incarnation of Batman yet to strip-mine in animation. Think about it. Sure, Batman started out cheesy in the 70's with his own show (where Adam West and Burt Ward reprised their roles from the 60's show) the SUPERPOWERS stuff and all the SUPERFRIENDS incarnations that lasted into the 80's, but then there was a drought of Batman animation for nearly a decade. It would prove to be a pivotal decade as THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS would sort of bring back the desire for a grim, edgy, gritty Batman to the comics and naturally the start of the gothic Tim Burton Batman films in 1989 and 1992. The popularity of these films of course got WB to commission the making of B:TAS which was naturally dark to ape the tone. That incarnation of Batman lasted some 5-6 seasons and so forth; JLU helped ease him down a peg from, say, "I AM THE NIGHT", but Batman was still a dark character.

THE BATMAN sought to balance that out. Sometimes Batman was a daylight superhero with more gadgets than Inspector Gadget fighting broad supervillains. And other times he was a nightly vigilante who was scaring the daylights out of them. His costume colors were still dark and the themes of him avenging his parent's deaths were still there. This, too, was a 'toon that came forth due to a movie, BATMAN BEGINS. Overall, THE BATMAN was an average show. It had some terrific episodes. And a lot of terrible episodes. And a messload that were in-between. Rating = average.

And heck, BATMAN BEYOND provided Kid's WB with a teenage Batman, and it actually worked out well. It was set in the future and had all sorts of spiffy tech.

So, honestly, there was little left to mine that hadn't been done in the recent past but the "gee, whiz", Dick Sprang, over the top, BIFF! POW! era of Batman, which lasted just as long as some of the others.

But enough history; what to make of BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD's pilot episode, "Rise of the Blue Beetle"?

Firstly, as a fan of the just-canceled BLUE BEETLE comic book starring the Jaime Reyes character, I honestly have to say it is great seeing him brought to animation so soon with an accurate character model to Cully Hamnar's design and with great voicework by Will Friedle, best known as Terry McGinnis and Ron Stoppable. Considering the solo adventures of the comic version will be ending in a few months after a run of three years, it was a treat to see.

And secondly, I still am not quite sure what to make of BRAVE AND THE BOLD thus far. I will say outright that if your "definition" of Batman is a grim, serious, urban vigilante who only is a superhero on the Justice League for obligation, then you will think this stinks. It will go against all that you hold dear about Batman. Heck, I would argue Batman on this show is barely a character, but a schtick.

On the other hand, if you enjoyed some of those cheese ball storylines, happened to be a fan who preferred a lighter Batman who could actually smile and sometimes make puns, or just are in the mood for something fun in an era of a lot of superhero seriousness and melodrama, it should make for a fun diversion. The show reminds me a lot of SUPERFRIENDS, only with better animation, action, and acting. And a bit more self-awareness and details for fans to pick out.

It also, in a strange way, reminds me of how cartoons were in the early 80's. Those of us over 25 or so remember the early 80's. Cartoons were fun, even when the world was at stake, Spider-Man would still be making fast quips with Iceman and Firestar in SPIDER-MAN AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS. Even He-Man had no end of one-liners at times. The villains were cheesy, over the top, NEVER even wanted to kill the hero when given half the chance. There was a very strong moral in every episode that, if it wasn't hammered home with obvious lines and pacing, was outright TOLD to you in the final minutes by one of the star characters (such as when Inspector Gadget or one of the G.I. Joe's would tell us about safety. "AND KNOWING IS HALF THE BATTLE!"). Put BATMAN: BRAVE AND THE BOLD up against a few shows from before the end of the 80's and aside for animation, a viewer from Mars may think they belong in the same era.

Honestly, if this show took itself seriously, it would be a flop. But it doesn't. All the bits YOU think are ridiculous, so do some of the producers and they work with it. Debates about Batman breathing in space, his Omnipotent Utility Belt, and even Prep-Time rage in every Bat-fan, and this cartoon uses them both up-front and also with a bit of tongue in cheek. This does add to the idea of Batman merely being a schtick here and not a character. But he is an entertaining schtick.

The episode starts out in one of those old 60's type situations with Batman stuck in a slow moving death trap while the cackling villain flees to go rob some joint. Only this time he is alongside Green Arrow. His Bat-Symbol can come off his chest and become a Batarang, and his utility belt has, among other things, a LIGHT SABER. Or it be a Bat-Saber? Of course, to be fair, Batman pulled out Bat-Swords in JLU's "DARK HEART" episode. He outright calls the situation a "death-trap" and as he bickers with Green Arrow the tone is left very light. You never feel the characters are in any danger, but hey, that was the same tone of BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, and that movie was awesome (and also 80's).

Right away, we meet Jaime and Paco, who are having their own debates about Batman's omnipotent gadgets or Prep-Time, and even acknowledge that they are both true and a bit absurd if you look at it too seriously. They watch the showdown with Arrow & Batman against the Clock King and sort of commentate on it like many fans watching at home with pals might (I recall having some lines when I used to watch JLU with pals). When Batman comes to visit Jaime for a mission, he even has a sense of humor about things, too. A quest to stop a comet and see Blue Beetle prove his valor as a young hero gets side-stepped when his scarab takes them on another planet to save the jelly-like Gibbles from Kanjor Ro.

Kanjor Ro turned up in JUSTICE LEAGUE but was reworked a bit as a space smuggler. Here, the show isn't afraid of his cheese-tastic "Gamma Gong" weapon from the comics. The Gibbles themselves look like squeeky toys. And, yes, Batman's mask has a space-worthy air-mask, his cape becomes a jet-pack, and his tights are space-worthy too. But this is like overthinking how Inspector Gadget possibly had the room for all his gadgets inside his lean body. Both heroes have to rally the Gibbles, escape from another death-trap and Jaime proves his worth and learns a lesson. Bat-tastic.

The animation is pretty damn good and despite the cheese-factor, the action sequences are paced rather well; I have seen episodes of WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN that are far more serious and complicated make action look less fluid and kinetic as this episode did; of course, this is from the same crew behind JLU and LOSH, so they have experience. The voice acting, as always from Andrea Romano's directing, is solid. Diedrich Bader is solid as Batman, managing a balance between making him sound gruff and stoic as Batman should, as well as using that to pull off some of Batman's quips. Yes, Batman has quips here. Will Friedle is of course solid as Jaime/Blue Beetle. James Arnold Taylor, who has had a variety of animation roles but recently plays Harry Osborn in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN, makes a fine, Golden Age-ish Green Arrow, before he was known for being a liberal. Marc Warden was Kanjor Ro and puts in your typical villain appearance, with James Marsden as Jaime's pal Paco. And Dee Bradley Baker as Clock King and the King Gibble.

There was actually a twinge of darkness. It was implied and shown that Kanjor Ro outright slaughters the adorable Gibbles when he burns them up for fuel. And Batman outright mentions that the previous Blue Beetle was "killed". It simply is not the tone of the series or even a motif.

It is odd seeing Batman go into space and save aliens, but he HAS done it in the comics. He quite literally has done and fought every kind of threat over his 69, soon to be 70 year history. Criminals, supervillains, vampires, aliens, giant apes, zombies, you name it, he's faced it, either alone or with other heroes. He did go into space, or to other dimensions.

A critic could claim, and with good reason, that this era of Batman was left in the dust for a reason. That without the grim tone and melodrama of avenging his parents, or in fighting for a bleak and corrupt city against both maniacs and the very "system" that both creates them and yet cannot contain them, it isn't Batman; it simply is a child's toy. But if you were a child, cool toys, the Buzz Lightyear's if you will, always got your attention. Like the cartoons most of us loved in our generation (Ninja Turtles, He-Man, Transformers, G.I. Joe, even The Real Ghostbusters) didn't have a million toys. There are some that say that you know you are an adult when you realize it is okay to be a child sometimes. Some writers see Batman's vengeance as key to his characters, and others believe after some 20 years and after raising at least one sidekick, and surviving just about every threat under the sun and inventing about half as many things as Mr. Fantastic, Batman wouldn't always be so dour. "I set out to scare criminals, not children," as Batman says in THE NEW FRONTIER.

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD is not for everyone. The fact that it is episodic and simple means that it isn't the type of show that I will feel deflated if I miss. But kids should love it; frankly, I have no clue why this isn't on at Saturday morning instead of prime time? I can be as dark and cynical as they come. But I have an inner child somewhere, especially when something acknowledges how absurd it is, which this show does. Always insisting that one can never be light or silly is not maturity; it is adolescence. Ironically, the rest of DC comics, with an endless parade of character destruction, bleakness, and rape, could take a lesson from B:BATB and lighten the hell up sometimes.

This is Batman as schtick superhero. But he's a fun schtick superhero, and even he is aware of his own verbosity. With practically every other angle on Batman done already, this was all that was left unmined since the 80's ended, and Tucker & Co. are at least on their way to doing that era justice. It is an acquired taste, of course. I'm not in the mood for cotton candy every day, but sometimes I am, and sometimes it is good.

[The Manly Torch]

Wow. Your knowledge overwhelms me, Dread. Seriously, how much free time did you have to familiarize yourself with so many comics, toons, and movies?

Still love to read yer posts, though.

[Dread]

Wow. Your knowledge overwhelms me, Dread. Seriously, how much free time did you have to familiarize yourself with so many comics, toons, and movies?

Still love to read yer posts, though.

Thanks. I actually don't have as much free time now, but I used to. ;)

[KenshinAtrain]

Dread your level of knowledge always amazes me. Your post are like journalist reviews and they are fantastic. I one day hope to be as knowledgeable as your are. I live in the Bx BTW wouldnt meeting you to chat it up comics style :D

[BlueLightning]

Great post Dread!
I found it:
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk6/BlueLightning09/DKR.jpg

[Mister J]

That's our Dread. :applaud

Insightfully analytical and thorough, as always. :up:

[Kal-El 8]

I don't have cartoon network so any other places online I can watch?

Yes here you go

http://www.sidereel.com/Batman%3A_The_Brave_and_the_Bold

[Kal-El 8]

Going into this series I thought we were in for another The Batman type series mixed with the super friends .

Well unlike the series premiere of The Batman in season 1, This series premiere episode I enjoyed a lot sure their was camp in this episode . But it was actually the good kind like in the 60's animated tv series Spider-Man .

Batman is serious not too Dark and brooding like his personality in BTAS . But enough to blend well with the campiness in this series with the other characters . So far Diedrich Bader voicing Batman is prefect for this Silver age version of The Caped Crusader . Especially with narrating (another Spidey trademark) he does it not annoying and it works well with anyone curious to know just how Batman really feels .

The animation is very well done it also nice to have those comic book SPLASH panel montages during the fight scenes . very cool

The guest starring Superheroes
1. Green Arrow
2. Blue Beetle

Not my first choices to have The Dark Knight team up with, But hey it was still cool, I just wished since they went with the current DC comic book look of Jaime Reyes as the Blue Beetle . They'd have done the same for Green Arrow as well . Oh well in the end it doesn't matter .

Guest starring supervillains
1. The Clock King
2. Kanjar Ro

The look of The Clock king sucks plain and simple . Kanjar looked cool and Marc Worden did a good job voicing him . I'm sure he'll be back to get his revenge on Batman & The Blue Beetle .

The nods to the previous series were pretty cool especially the Batman bit about Superman vs. Batman under Ivy's control .

This series is off to a great start... Can't wait for episode 2

[Dark Knight90!]

Yes here you go

http://www.sidereel.com/Batman%3A_The_Brave_and_the_Bold

OMG!!!

Thank You!!! :wow::woot:

Hopefully you can keep an eye for new episodes on the web!!

Opinion coming soon.

[Dread]

Dread your level of knowledge always amazes me. Your post are like journalist reviews and they are fantastic. I one day hope to be as knowledgeable as your are. I live in the Bx BTW wouldnt meeting you to chat it up comics style :D

Thanks. Let's say not having much of a social life helps. :p

Great post Dread!
I found it:
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk6/BlueLightning09/DKR.jpg

I actually missed that even though I knew to look for it. That was what I meant about there being nods to the fans.

That's our Dread. :applaud

Insightfully analytical and thorough, as always. :up:

Thanks.

To add, I think what made THE BATMAN a bit awkward was a lot of their episodes were just as goofy, but that show took itself very seriously. It was trying to balance both the darker and lighter Batman and so on. BATMAN: BRAVE AND THE BOLD doesn't take itself seriously or try to be more than it is, and I can respect that. I also want to add that Jaime Reyes, as a young hero, made a great POV character for the pilot to get the viewers into this bouncy, new incarnation.

I also think Diedrich Bader is a good Batman; I would argue I preferred him to Jeremy Sisto from JL: THE NEW FRONTIER, although that was a different picture altogether. Have to give Andrea Romano credit for having to cast another Batman when in the eyes of many, the vocal role will seem to always belong to Kevin Conroy (who reprised the role for GOTHAM KNIGHTS, and for 15 years has voiced Batman on TV shows, video games, DTV's, and even a motion picture).

I am interested in how Aquaman will be depicted. Some people complained he was "too much like Namor" in his JUSTICE LEAGUE/JLU incarnations, yet no one wants to the return of the useless Superfriends version. A balance is key, and ironically, it may be easier to do that here than in a more serious show like SUPERMAN: TAS or JLU.

[Orb]

THANKS Kal-El!:wow:

[Bathead]

Yes here you go

http://www.sidereel.com/Batman%3A_The_Brave_and_the_Bold
I see no option to watch the episode at that site. Do you need to register, or am I just missing something obvious?

[Kal-El 8]

I see no option to watch the episode at that site. Do you need to register, or am I just missing something obvious?

http://videoonclick.com/Cartoons/episode.php?id=129&season=1&episode=01

[Johann Krauss]

The puns...and...the plotholes...:facepalm

[DJ Kornphlake]

I see no option to watch the episode at that site. Do you need to register, or am I just missing something obvious?

Rise of the Blue Beetle! [HD FLASH] (http://www.sidereel.com/Batman%3A_The_Brave_and_the_Bold/_watchlinkviewer/1)

[Bathead]

Sorry DJ, all I get is a one or two-minute clip of what I guess is the opening sequence. No full episode.

[Joker]

Ok, I just watched this episode [Thanks again, Mister J].

It was so much fun. I loved Batman's character. Campy without being stupid or silly. And he had me laughing several times. "It's a temporal anaomoly, which is just a fancy way of saying it's wierd" :woot:

Blue Beetle was a brilliant character. I hope we see lots more of him. And the Clock King cameo was pure 60's villain Batman with the over the top death trap. Loved it.

This show has alot of promise. 8/10 for this episode.

[jewing3]

Is this worth watching? I had forgotten all about it until now but I may start watching if its good

[Two-Face=Badass]

There are no words for how much I enjoyed this. I'll reel off what I liked:
-Clock King. He was your classic 60's villain complete with silly death trap.
-Blue Beetle. Great characterisation here, loved his sense of humour.
-Batman. I'm glad he has a dry sense of humour, worked really well.
-Dialog. C'mon, who didn't crack up at the "temporal anomaly" or Superman vs Batman scene?
-Animation. Very smooth, I finally have a batshow with it.

And a heap of other things I've forgotten. Can't wait for the next ep!

[Visionary]

For gripe sake, this show is too damn campy. I'd like to find the people behind this series...and execute them all. :dry:

[deathshead2]

For gripe sake, this show is too damn campy. I'd like to find the people behind this series...and execute them them all. :dry:Why, this is for kids. Besides there following the comics, at least the old ones.

[Nathan]

Just watched the first Episode. Sooo incredibly cheesy... and campy... Batman flew into space with his damn costume. >_<

[Rowen]

just seen the ep & i dunno what to say, it is really campy & cheesy both at the same time, i think i like B:TAS and THE BATMAN better than this incarnation of batman. i might continue watching this to see where it goes. oh & Dread did point out about kan-joro showing up in justice league, as a petty crook. i spotted that as soon as saw kan-joro & new the simalarties right away.

[C. Lee]

Saw the first episode today.....pretty darn funny. I liked it.

[CLARKY]

I voted 7 because I felt it was a good episode, but particularly thanks too Will Friedle perfect acting as Blue B. . I loved the Kanjar Ro design. I'm not sure about Kanjar Ro's real importance in the DCU, but I like this interpretation.
I think Batman is good too. He's darker than everyone else without being THAT dark, and brooding, and dark, and mean, and dark(again). So I enjoy this lighter Batman even if sometimes it seems to me that they could have done it in a less ... "naiv" way.
I have nothing about Batman going into space, but I think giving him a helmet would be nice, wouldn't it ?

[Temple Fugate]

much love for the old version of the Clock King

"Auf Viedersein!"

"I would hate to be late for my next caper"

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n79/Shogun_Warrior/TheClockKing.jpg