Three years ago when we first heard about the Batman: The Brave and the Bold series, a lot of us were very skeptical. I am not sure if any of us will ever forget the first time we heard Batman speak; "The jig is up, Kiteman!" While those words may never be forgotten, Batman: The Brave and the Bold has had its share of ups and downs throughout its run.
Season Two Part One is available today nationwide at retailers. If you were keeping up with the show on Cartoon Network, it is difficult to know exactly when season two began. Cartoon Network has plagued this and other DC Universe series with airing delays, and in some cases airs it after the episodes are already aired overseas or online. I can only assume the reasons behind this, but one thing is for certain; main-stream Bat-fans are the ones that suffer. Hardcore fans who follow the show who are not younger than ten did not receive a normal dose of Batman: The Brave and the Bold prior to season two airing. The show seemed to be on hiatus for almost for almost five months before airing the remaining episodes of season one. Season two started the following week after the final episode of season one. So it might be difficult to know where one ended and two began.
There are twelve episodes included on this new release. As in the past with season one part one and season one part two, there is a range of episodes. Some are great for children and others cater for the fans who long for a dark caped crusader which also has an underlying story. A number of these episodes were part of the 2010 TBU Awards ballot. Aquaman's Outrageous Adventure! actually won for the worst episode that aired in 2010. At the same time though, Chill of the Night! won for best episode aired in 2010. This series has always had its ups and downs when it comes to the episodes. Some are great at telling stories based of the comics or introducing first-time fans to the extended lore of Batman. The other seems to cater more towards the possibility of expanding the action figure line.
Three episodes stood out from the rest when concerning hardcore Bat-fans; Sidekicks Assemble!, The Super-Batman of Planet X!, and Chill of the Night!. All of these three episodes seemed to not only be written for fans wanting a non-kid friendly series but also brought back some of the voice talents from previous series as well.
Sidekicks Assemble! tells the story of Robin, Speedy and Aqualad trying to break free from their mentors' shadows. It also shows Ra's and Talia al ghul, villains from Batman's rogues gallery, which we don't see very often. Yes the Joker has appeared and others have shown up, but when you see Gorilla Grodd and Black Manta more often than Riddler or Penguin, there is a problem. The episode is interesting as it is almost a direct sequel to The Color of Revenge! episode that was part of season one. The episode even concludes with Dick Grayson showing off a new persona, Nightwing.
The Super-Batman of Planet X! was one that no one ever suspected to come. The story focuses on a comic that Grant Morrison recently brought back into the spotlight featuring Zur-En-Arrh. While bringing something from the silver age back to modern times is cool, it is also great for fans who are reading references to that same story in the monthly comics. This episode also brought back voice talent from previous DC Animated Universe series including Corey Burton, Clancy Brown, Dana Delany and Batman himself, Kevin Conroy.
That wasn't the last time we would see voice talent from other Batman incarnations appear. Chill of the Night! told a much darker story than all of the other Batman: The Brave and the Bold episodes ever told. The story of Bruce Wayne's parents being murdered and Batman having to deal with what would he do when he finds their murderer. Adam West and Julie Newmar voiced Bruce's parents, and Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill voiced Phantom Stranger and Spectre. Other Batman villains were featured as well. There was a reason this episode was the best of 2010.
Episodes aside, everyone knows my feelings of releasing these episodes in part of seasons form. I am not a fan of it. But at the same time, with the delays happening for the episodes and the seasons being split with months in between this seems to be the answer for Warner Bros. to get the episodes out with delaying an entire season for close to two years. There are no special features, which again is a downfall, but I am sure if the series gets a complete release as the other Batman series have, it is saving them for that.
Overall this is a great addition to your collection, even if it is only until the release the complete series. The three episodes I mentioned are worth the price tag alone.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold Season Two Part One DVD:
The DVD set is available today, August 16. You can buy it on DVD here
Warner Bros. has teamed with us to give away a copy of this set. All you have to do is email us at contest@thebatmanuniverse.net with your favorite episode of the series so far. The contest will run through Friday, August 19, 2011 at 11:59PM CST. At that time, one winner will be notified on August 20. This contest is only open to Canada and US residents due to the region coding.
Reviewed by Dustin Fritschel
