Proving once again a respect for what came before, the good people at Batman: The Brave and the Bold paid homage to a couple of different incarnations of the Caped Crusader in their latest episode, “The Super-Batman of Planet X!” The title itself is borrowed from a 1958 Batman comic of the same name, and manages to stay true to much of the original Silver Age material while also introducing a few ingredients of the Bruce Timm TAS versions of both Batman and the Man of Steel himself, Superman.
I know there are people like me out there who love the charming goofiness this series is fond of embracing. True lovers of comic book history (and the Silver Age of comics in particular) delight in the modern spin on these charmingly silly tales. To be a true Batman fan, one must be aware of the many “Batmen” who have come before. As Paul Rubens, Batmite character helped explain to us in one of the best episodes the series has offered, “Legends of the Dark Mite. There is the Adam West Batman, the ultra-brainy science hero Batman, the world’s greatest detective Batman, the Superfriends Batman, the Tim Burton Batman, the Chris Nolan Batman, and (shuddering) the Joel Schumacher Batman. Each and every one of these Batmen are valid interpretations of the original Bob Kane creation. (Except for that Schumacher travesty, that was just wrong on every single level.)
Many of the detractors of this show roll their eyes at any version of the Dark Knight that isn’t sufficiently Frank Miller-ish. This legion of Bat-fans undoubtedly consider themselves Bat-purists, and point out this animated version of their favorite non-super superhero isn’t gritty enough. And while it’s fair to say the obsessed, angry vigilante whose very appearance strikes fear into the hearts of criminals (a well-known superstitious and cowardly lot) is at its core, a grim enforcer of justice, there is another contingency of Bat-aficionados who have room in their hearts for every adaptation that came before. (Except for the God-awful Schumacher version. I’d vote we castrate the flamboyant director to ensure he never procreate and leave us to worry about a new army of little Bat-bastardizing brats, but something tells me we don’t have to worry about ol’ Joel having any kids. I mean how could he possibly procreate when he’s always wearing such an enormous codpiece.)
Anyway, as stated earlier, this particular episode gave more than the occasional shout out to Bruce Timm’s view of the DC universe. Much of the background music sounded like it was lifted from a TAS episode. The shot of Batman, arms firmly on hips standing ominously on the rooftop gave instant imagery of the opening sequence in The Batman Animated Series. (It was a nice nod to Batman’s Crime Alley origin story as well, which we will finally get to see next week.) The image of Superbatman standing in front of the waving flag Zur-En-Arrh immediately reminded viewers of Timm’s Superman, and most notably was the return of TAS vocal talents, Clancy Brown, Dana Delany and Kevin Conroy.
It was also fun to pick up on obvious backwards name play, (Luthor/Rohtul)
corny name play (Alfred/Alpha-Red) and other-dimension sounding name play (Vickie Vale/Vilsi Velar.)
Without giving too much away, Batman gets super powers, the Batman of Planet X (a Clark Kent clone voiced by Conroy) helps Batman defeat Clancy Brown’s Rohtul, while Delany’s Lois Lane/Vickie Vale alternately swoons over each handsome defender. By the way, loved the Planet X Batcave.
And so once again evil was defeated and a smiling good time was had by all. (Except those fuss-budgety Bat-stickler who refuse to have any fun at all if Batman isn’t breaking clavicles and busting internal organs. My advice to them. Grab a handful of Twizzlers, a couple cans of Coke and a nice chocolatey donut and just give in to the sugary goodness that is, Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
Click any of the images below to view the full gallery...
BATMAN #113 is the basis for this week's BRAVE & THE BOLD episode
BATMAN meets Zur-En-Arrh in this panel from the classic comics
BATMAN: BRAVE & THE BOLD - The Super Batman of Planet X
BATMAN: BRAVE & THE BOLD - The Super Batman of Planet X
Joe Oesterle is an award-winning writer and illustrator, but what he often fails to mention is that many of those awards were won on a New Jersey boardwalk. Check out Joe’s illustrated version of the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder at his blogsite
http://joeartistwriter.wordpress.com/2009/10/18/illustrations/br-2/
and this other version at his official website
Loved the episode. I am one who likes the dark version of Batman. But I also appreciate the other versions. Never was so much into the 60's version but it's still valid. But I like how they balance the campiness and the darkness in this show. Plus I think it's closer to the 50's version then the 60's anyway. I Iike the show and understand and like them using the B and C lister heroes but I can't wait for them to have Superman and Wonderwoman on the show.
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I love the episode, I hope they will release the whole series on dvd soon. One thing that I like about this series is that it reminds me of the 60s batman comics, and some antimated shows too, not too grim and gritty of B.T.A.S. Don't get me wrong, I like Batman has a dark character/loner. But this series shows that he doesn't have the baggage or emotional loss of his parents death.
But I'm glad they don't include Joel Schmauchers version. I still regard both him and Clooney has the men who killed the bat.(almost). Clooney is good as a director and as a television performer. But his batman was too much like a cardboard cuttout. Not much depth for an actor, plus there were too many people in the movie. They should of had Bane and Ivy in a sequel, and concentrate on Alfred, Mr. Freeze, and Barbara. Have Robin away at collage, ect. And then work on the script and character development, ect.