CRUSADER

There’s one animated series that has impressed me a lot recently, and that is – Batman: The Brave and The Bold.

This show is based on an old DC comic book serial of the same name. The concept this serial features Batman teaming up with a guest hero to take on the guest villain of the story. The caped crusader has different chemistry with each of his temporary teammates as Batman and the guest hero will either: get along, argue, or have a competitive clash.

Batman will either join forces with the likes of The Blue Beetle, The Red Tornado, The Green Arrow and so forth. Those less Batman literate like me get to learn a little more about these characters in the DC Universe through watching the episodes. The featured villains themselves are not the regular occurrences of The Penguin, The Riddler, The Joker etc we are used to in previous televised Batman adventures. I must admit, I didn’t hear much about villains such as The Black Manta, Gentleman Ghost, and Funhouse until I started watching Brave and the Bold.


Another unique execution from The Brave and the Bold is that you never see Batman as Bruce Wayne. There is no Wayne Manor, No Batcave, No Alfred, No Aunt Agatha, or anything like that. It is just straight in the action with Batman as Batman from a perspective of how an everyday citizen would probably see him.

However, Bruce has been in the show a couple of times, but only as part of a flashback sequence or two. Yet these were compromised by one sequence depicted in black and white featuring Bruce as a boy and the other showing Bruce training at a temple with his face hidden by a mask.

The art style itself is a fusion of old school comics rounded off with modern day pointy edges. The design is solid enough to animate well and be made bright and attractive enough to younger spectators. This has probably got to be the most colourful Batman cartoon yet!
Each episode starts off with a minute and a half mini adventure before the beginning title, featuring Batman sometimes with a partner getting themselves out of a situation. The main story after the title sequence is the bulk of the show and a stand-alone episode, meaning these don’t have to be watched in order.

So what we have here is a Batman cartoon that daringly dodges a lot of clichés and is a great product as a result. This is a fresher take on the ‘dark knight’ in animated form that should be enjoyed by all if not most Batman and comics fans.

A show that is both Brave and Bold in its own right.