Batman: The Brave and the Bold – Season Two, Part
One (DC Comics/Warner DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: D Episodes: B
Batman: The Brave and the Bold returns for 12 more fantastic
episodes of superhero team-ups. The
creators of Batman: The Brave and the
Bold have become increasingly talented at scouring the corners of the DC
Universe to fine the most obscure (forgotten?) superheroes to aid in Batman’s
plight to vanquish evil. In this new
volumized set we get the first half of Season
Two and whereas it is nothing new or groundbreaking, it does continue to
deliver some epic superhero fun.
Brave and the Bold, unlike previous Batman
incarnations, has made a conscious decision to stick to the lighter side of the
Dark Knight, though in this second season (at least the later episodes) we do
get a bit more depth from our hero. Whereas the beginning of the season
continues to embody the light hearted fun of Silver Age comics, the end (or
middle in this case) of the season has The Justice Society appearing in a more
‘serious’ nature than previously seen on Brave
and the Bold.
The mix
of classic Batman with campy fun this season sets it apart from the previous
season, as it begins to refine the creators’ vision for the series. The episodes not only bring back the standard
heroes like that of Green Arrow, Aquaman, and The Flash; but we also see the
return of oddities like Blue Beetle and Shazam.
To take it a step further the creators add in a dash of sidekicks,
alternate universes, and forgotten but not forgettable characters like The
Metal Men and Phantom Stranger to give the series that additional boost.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold holds strong for a second season
and though it is well known by fans that the series is ending, viewing and
owning this season set is must.
The
episodes this season include the following:
- Death Race to Oblivion
- Long Arm of the Law
- Revenge of the Reach
- Aquaman’s Outrageous
Adventure
- The Golden Age of Justice
- Sidekicks Assemble
- Clash of the Metal Men
- A Bat Divided
- The Super-Batman of Planet X
- The Power of Shazam
- Chill of the Night
- Gorillas in Our Midst
The
technical features on this volumized season set are in line with the previous
two releases, sliding by as adequate but nothing overwhelmingly exciting. The box/packaging is a downgrade from the
original set as the cardboard slip cover is now gone, replaced with your
standard hard case DVD pack. The picture
is a 1.78 X 1 that embodies solid clarity and bright colors, it is not HD
quality but is a nice new release without dirt/debris or many other
issues. The sound is a Dolby Digital
Surround that is crisp, clean, and clear with some use of the surrounds but
nothing over the top.
The
extras again this season set are lacking as only a few trailers one for the new
Green Lantern series and the other
for the rebooted Thundercats series.
Brave and the Bold is a fun series that has only
gotten progressively better. It will be
sad that just as the series hits its groove it will all be over.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
