Well I just watched the latest episode of Batman: the Brave and the Bold. I may be bias in this review, as I have never been a fan of Bat-Mite, but I have to say I think this is the worst episode so far. The reason I say this is because it wasn't really what I consider a team-up episode. It was interesting to hearl Paul Reubens voice Bat-Mite.
The opening teaser showed how Batman and Bat-Hound, his first animated appearance I believe, stop Cat Man from selling a rare tiger that he stole. Later Batman stops a bank robbery and even though the crooks try to give up they can't. Bat-Mite is using them to continue the fight by his magic. Soon Batman stops that but Bat-Mite wants to see him fight still. He wants him to fight the baddest supervillain ever to show that Batman is the best superhero in the world. He conjurs up Grodd and Shaggy Man but then Batman tricks him in to bringing in the Calender Man. He takes a dive at Batman's request. Still Bat-Mite changes Calendar Man into Calendar King and gives him the poser to create henchmen who look like holiday icons. His most powerful are the mutant Easter Bunnies. Bat-Mite isn't sure if he likes them so he creates his own panel show at a comic con to get their opinons. He decides that they are pretty cool and keeps them in the fight. In the end Batman convinces Bat-Mite that to keep his favorite crime fighter in endless battles is pointless. It is really keeping him from fighting real crimes. Bat-Mite agrees and goes away.
Later in the Batcave Batman confides in Bat-Hound what a pest Bat-Mite was. Only he discovers that there are two Bat-Hounds. The one he was talking to was really Bat-Mite. Bat-Mite is now angry with Batman and takes him to the 5th dimension. There he uses Batman as a toy to fight his other toys till Batman breaks. Batman stops fighting as he would rather die then be used as a play thing. He convinces Bat-Mite to live the dream and become Batman for awhile. Bat-Mite does and can't handle it. He needs Batman's help. He does but then Batman gets in a small jam and Bat-Mite uses his magic to get him out. Batman tells Bat-Mite that with his powers he shouldn't be a hero in the shadow of Batman. He can go on his own.
It seems that Bat-Mite agrees. He disappears and Batman is relieved. Later it turns out that Bat-Mite turned his hero worship else where as he has decided to become Green Arrow's biggest fan. Despite telling Batman earlier that Green Arrow wasn't as good as Batman.
Below are some videos from the episode.
8 comments:
I have to disagree with you... I enjoyed this episode quite a bit (I think the Outsiders episode was the "worst," and that only because they took the Outsiders way too far away from the source material).
I particularly enjoyed the costume sequence, as well as when Bat-Mite became Batman, and they did the "lightning on the rooftop" thing from Batman: The Animated Series... although I'd have to say my favorite part was when they did a whole riff on the classic Looney Tunes cartoon, "The Great Piggybank Robbery," in which Daffy Duck is so excited about the new Dick Tracy comic book he's just received that he knocks himself out and has a dream that he's "Duck Twacy". If you're not familiar with that cartoon, it's on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Dwvw_wMUC4
Well like I said I may not have liked it cause I don't like Bat-Mite. But since Brace and the Bold is a team-up series who did he team up with? Bat-Mite was really the villian so I don't count him. Bat Hound doesn't count either in my own opinion. Green Arrow should have been added into the mix earlier then he was.
I loved this episode! Did you catch the cameo with Paul Dini (who wrote the episode) dressed as Harley Quinn (a character he created), with Paul Dini (who produced all of the Batman/Superman/Justice League "Diniverse" series) as the Joker?
I guess what I really enjoyed was seeing all of the visual references to old comics and classic styles. (Ace, incidentally, sort of appears in Batman Beyond -- elderly Bruce Wayne has a dog companion named Ace, who appears in several episodes. Doesn't wear the mask though.)
My main complaint about the episode was that I felt there was no way a dog could take out a tiger! Ace is simply a normal dog--he's not on Venom and doesn't have any gadgets or anything. That cat would have eaten him alive.
Dr. OTR
"Bat-Mite was really the villian so I don't count him."
The classic "Brave and the Bold" comic book did, on occasion, pair Batman with a villain. I remember one issue in particular when he teamed up with the Joker (#111). If Haney and Aparo could do it, then Dini can too, as far as I'm concerned. Anyway, there's a precedent.
Dr. OTR
Dr. OTR;
I understand that the heroes have team-up with the villains and I too have enjoyed them but I rarely ever enjoy Bat-Mite. Except a issue of World's Finest where he teamed up with Mr. Mxyzptlk.
Wow guy, I think you totally missed the point with this episode! Next to the 2-parter "Owlman", I'd have to say that this was the best BBAB episode yet. 1) Batman was teamed up with "ACE" the Bathound in the opening teaser and 2) teamed up with "Bat-Mite" (rather against his will admittedly...) for the main story. The show's "villains" were all the vintage rogues gallery baddies and creatures that Batman & Bat-Mite were eventually pitted against. What makes this episode so extra-special was the amazing attention-to-detail that makes this show a must-see for longtime comic & animation fans. The old school Dick Sprang-styled villains, the inclusion of "Killer Moth" (who incidentally has a cool new action figure in the DCUC -Wave 6!), the homage to the classic "Duck Twacy" Warner Brother's cartoon short, the inclusion of multiple versions of alternate DC reality "Batman" costumes, some of the zany Sci-Fi inspired creatures from Batman & Robin's 1950's era comic adventures, the stinger "SD Comicon" segment was hilarious (where an audience of geeky "Bat-Fans" debate the merits of a "light-hearted" approach to the "Dark Knight") and then, PEE WEE HERMAN himself doing the voice of the much reviled/sometimes loved Bat-Mite was the icing on the cake. I loved it and I'm happy to say that my 5 year old son watched it over and over again this week with glee. It's a gorgeously rendered animated Batman series, that much like the classic 1960's BATMAN TV show, is highly appreciated by kids AND fun-loving adults. Best Batman Brave & The Bold episode... ever!
Del
Thanks for the feedback. I didn't miss the point. I got it. I just didn't care for the episode. As I said it may be because I don't like Bat-Mite. I did like the convention segment. I still think about it and smile.
I agree with anonymous, in that the references to the old comic book covers and styles really made this episode for me. and Yes this was also an obvious homage to Looney Tunes as well, as evidenced by the ending, where Bat-Mite takes the place of Porky Pig.By the way, Ace the Bat-Hound was featured in a number of episodes of the Krypto animated series. Keep up the good blogging.
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