Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Zoltar wrote:That was a good episode. I liked how they adapted Bruce's origins to the seasonal theme.

Absolutely. In fact it yet again illustrated how, arguably, of all the Superheroes Batman's origin is the most open to adaptation and riffing on, due to its very core simplicity.

It's just as iconic as the massive legend which it effortlessly supports.

Sid Seadevil wrote:Absolutely. In fact it yet again illustrated how, arguably, of all the Superheroes Batman's origin is the most open to adaptation and riffing on, due to its very core simplicity.

It's just as iconic as the massive legend which it effortlessly supports.

Agreed. And the latest episode was quite good too, though I hear some Outsiders fans ain't happy.

Zoltar wrote:Agreed. And the latest episode was quite good too, though I hear some Outsiders fans ain't happy.

I've just recently watched the episode in question, and while I can see why some of the more hardline purists aren't happy with the alterations, for me they worked - and more importantly - remained true to the spirit of the original.

The consistency of quality on this series is a joy to behold. There's obviously something inherent in the Batman character that lends itself to the creative animation process in a way which simply isn't true for other superhero adaptations.

Sid Seadevil wrote:I've just recently watched the episode in question, and while I can see why some of the more hardline purists aren't happy with the alterations, for me they worked - and more importantly - remained true to the spirit of the original.

Yeah, I personally think enough of the core of the characters survived to make them still enjoyable. I particularly liked Wildcat in that episode.

Sid Seadevil wrote:The consistency of quality on this series is a joy to behold. There's obviously something inherent in the Batman character that lends itself to the creative animation process in a way which simply isn't true for other superhero adaptations.

Batman seems to lend himself well to just about any format, particularly since his power can be adjusted to suit the nature of the world he's in. He's as perfectly at home being challenged by mere gangsters as he is dealing with big superpowered threats.

Zoltar wrote:Yeah, I personally think enough of the core of the characters survived to make them still enjoyable. I particularly liked Wildcat in that episode.

Absolutely. Wildcat has always been one of my favourite characters, and R. Lee Ermey was perfectly cast as the character. He sounded remarkably as I always imagined Wildcat would.

Zoltar wrote:Batman seems to lend himself well to just about any format, particularly since his power can be adjusted to suit the nature of the world he's in. He's as perfectly at home being challenged by mere gangsters as he is dealing with big superpowered threats.

Indeed. The character is the perfect superheroic template. Timeless, yet still easily able to mould itself to the sensibilities of the day.

Great stuff.

Sid Seadevil wrote:

Zoltar wrote:Yeah, I personally think enough of the core of the characters survived to make them still enjoyable. I particularly liked Wildcat in that episode.

Absolutely. Wildcat has always been one of my favourite characters, and R. Lee Ermey was perfectly cast as the character. He sounded remarkably as I always imagined Wildcat would.

Yep, the Gunny was an excellent choice. Heck, he's probably ready to put the costume on right now and go on patrol.

And yet another fun adventure that managed to hit that free-wheeling 60's vibe with maximum accuracy and minimum effort. Deadman's character remained true to the original but suitably lightened for the younger section of the audience. Green Arrow and Speedy, had the wise-cracking repartee normally associated of the true "Dynamic Duo" of the period. While Batman was wonderfully, perfectly, Batman.

Highlights of the episode for me was Green Arrow's wickedly note perfect impression of the dark, driven Batman that the fans are overly obsessed with. But even better was the reaction of Speedy, who was playing host to the Caped Crusaders dispossessed spirit.

It's obvious the writers on this series are having an absolute whale of a time crafting these stories - and the real dividents are being reaped by the viewers.

Sid Seadevil wrote:Highlights of the episode for me was Green Arrow's wickedly note perfect impression of the dark, driven Batman that the fans are overly obsessed with. But even better was the reaction of Speedy, who was playing host to the Caped Crusaders dispossessed spirit.

That was a great scene. I also enjoyed the final scene, where Deadman returns to aide the caped crusader in a fight. Snappy ending, lots of fun.

I agree, another fantastic episode.

Zoltar wrote:That was a great scene. I also enjoyed the final scene, where Deadman returns to aide the caped crusader in a fight. Snappy ending, lots of fun.

I agree, another fantastic episode.

Yep. Oh and while I'm praising the it - especial praise once and for both Diedrich Bader's spot-on the nose Conroyesque Batman - and guest star Michael Rosenbaum's vocal realisation of Boston Brand/Deadman. It was about as far from his more familiar Lex Luthor, as it's possible toi imagine.

Just been watching these on YouTube, and they're incredibly good fun. I like how they cater to all generations of fans, with things like the Silver Age Green Arrow appearing in the same episode as the Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle. And to those who complain about them not being dark'n'gritty enough, I say: Tough. The Timmverse DCAU was amazing, and it's still there to be watched again, but it's nice that someone's willing to do a lighter Batman cartoon again, and make it work.

Sid Seadevil wrote:Yep. Oh and while I'm praising the it - especial praise once and for both Diedrich Bader's spot-on the nose Conroyesque Batman - and guest star Michael Rosenbaum's vocal realisation of Boston Brand/Deadman. It was about as far from his more familiar Lex Luthor, as it's possible toi imagine.

Indeed, the voice work has been consistently great in this series.

Spoiler:

Doc Filth wrote:Just been watching these on YouTube, and they're incredibly good fun. I like how they cater to all generations of fans, with things like the Silver Age Green Arrow appearing in the same episode as the Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle. And to those who complain about them not being dark'n'gritty enough, I say: Tough. The Timmverse DCAU was amazing, and it's still there to be watched again, but it's nice that someone's willing to do a lighter Batman cartoon again, and make it work.

Glad you're enjoying it Colin. I hear we're going to be seeing the Ted Kord Beetle at some point too.

Zoltar wrote:

Doc Filth wrote:Just been watching these on YouTube, and they're incredibly good fun. I like how they cater to all generations of fans, with things like the Silver Age Green Arrow appearing in the same episode as the Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle. And to those who complain about them not being dark'n'gritty enough, I say: Tough. The Timmverse DCAU was amazing, and it's still there to be watched again, but it's nice that someone's willing to do a lighter Batman cartoon again, and make it work.

Glad you're enjoying it Colin. I hear we're going to be seeing the Ted Kord Beetle at some point too.

I'm also delighted you're enjoying it Colin. I'm even more pleased to hear we might be seeing Ted Kord's Beetle at some point.

Sid Seadevil wrote:I'm also delighted you're enjoying it Colin. I'm even more pleased to hear we might be seeing Ted Kord's Beetle at some point.

Looks like it could be this week's episode.

Zoltar wrote:Looks like it could be this week's episode.

Oh, that'll be excellent if it is.

Spoiler:

All I want now is a Blue Beetle/Booster Gold team-up...

Doc Filth wrote:

Spoiler:

All I want now is a Blue Beetle/Booster Gold team-up...

Exactly what I suspect we're all hoping for.

Sid Seadevil wrote:

Doc Filth wrote:

Spoiler:

All I want now is a Blue Beetle/Booster Gold team-up...

Exactly what I suspect we're all hoping for.

That'd be fantastic. I hope it happens.

Zoltar wrote:That'd be fantastic. I hope it happens.

And of course the true beauty of the B&B concept both in comics as well as television, is that the character of Batman is so all-encompassing that it works perfectly matched with just about any other heroically fictional character imaginable.

Personally, I'd pay good money to see Bats paired with a cartoon version of...Jack Bauer!

Sid Seadevil wrote:Personally, I'd pay good money to see Bats paired with a cartoon version of...Jack Bauer!

Wow, now that'd be a team-up. The only problem is nothing short of an evil Chuck Norris could possibly challenge them.

Zoltar wrote:Wow, now that'd be a team-up. The only problem is nothing short of an evil Chuck Norris could possibly challenge them.

An evil Chuck Norris driven insane by an accidental overdose of the Bane formular!

Sid Seadevil wrote:

Zoltar wrote:Wow, now that'd be a team-up. The only problem is nothing short of an evil Chuck Norris could possibly challenge them.

An evil Chuck Norris driven insane by an accidental overdose of the Bane formular!

I wonder if the writer of Doctor McNinja accepts story submissions. We're almost there, we just need to add Raptors on hoverboards or something.

Zoltar wrote:I wonder if the writer of Doctor McNinja accepts story submissions. We're almost there, we just need to add Raptors on hoverboards or something.

What an excellent suggestion. But they'd have to be insane Ninja Raptors on hoverboards, I think.

Sid Seadevil wrote:What an excellent suggestion. But they'd have to be insane Ninja Raptors on hoverboards, I think.

Quite right. *makes a note of this*

Does that mean we have to design ninja masks that can fit on a raptor. Oh, bother...

Zoltar wrote:[Quite right. *makes a note of this*

Does that mean we have to design ninja masks that can fit on a raptor. Oh, bother...

But worth the effort in the end.

Especially when we see balding, overweight fans of our masterpiece costumed up as their heroes at conventions.