This is definitely not the dark, moody, brooding version of Batman we’ve come to expect from the Christopher Nolan films. Far from it, Batman: The Brave and the Bold takes a page from the classic Adam West Batman series (1966) and the Joel Schumacher Batman films of the 90s and has some fun with the Caped Crusader.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold is a refreshing twist on the classic superhero that has continued to thrive in popularity thanks to Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight (2009). Unlike those films and even Batman: The Animated Series (1992), this version shows the lighter side of Batman. He makes clever quips, he banters, and he even uses lame puns at times.
The Brave and the Bold Batman seems to really enjoy his work, and our ability to hear his internal monologue makes this fact clear. He’s a superhero with a heart and with a sense of humor, and his revolving door of superhero sidekicks keeps him on his toes.
It’s a who’s who of classic superheroes as Batman joins forces with Aqua Man, Plastic Man, Green Arrow, Blue Beetle, Red Tornado, and a host of others to battle supervillains that look like they came straight out of the campy series from the 60s. It’s a fun show to watch whether you’re a kid or an adult who enjoys animated shows.
I know that one of the only gripes I’ve heard is that season one is being released in two parts, which is true. You only get 13 episodes in this volume. So if you want to wait and see if they eventually release the entire first season in one set it may be worth your while. If not, then this volume is a fine addition to your animated superhero library.
This Cartoon Network series is lots of fun and worth checking out.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold is available NOW on DVD!