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Category:    Home > Reviews > Superhero > Action > Adventure > TV > Batman – The Brave and The Bold: The Complete First Season (2008 - 2009/Warner Animation/DC Comics/Warner Blu-ray)

Batman - The Brave and The Bold: The Complete First Season (2008 - 2009/Warner Animation/DC Comics/Warner Blu-ray)

Picture: A- Sound: B Extras: D Episodes: B



We had previously reviewed the First Season of the Batman: The Brave and the Bold series upon its DVD release; which was split into two volumes. Whereas I did think the series was fun and did say many favorable things concerning the style, premise, and voice acting; I did note it was not my favorite iteration of the caped crusader to date.

Season One: Part One (DVD)

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/10346/Batman:+Brave+&+The+Bold+%E2%80%93+Seas



Season One: Part Two (DVD)

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/10896/Batman+%E2%80%93+The+Brave+&+The+Bold:+



So exploring the series further here on Blu-ray (FINALLY!), I have made some additional observations about the core of Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Perhaps fans are the problem and not the series itself? That is to say, we as fans have been trained to expect the Batman franchise (TV, comics, film, and otherwise) to be dark, gritty, and with an inherent level of psychological edge. We no longer remember the days of old, when action and adventure took center stage for the caped crusader. Instead over the past two to three decades Batman has been recast and reformed into being a darker and darker hero, who seemingly has more in common with his enemies than with common man.

I am in no way saying this is a bad thing, I am merely suggesting that we as an audience are unwavering in our expectations; and DON'T MESS WITH OUR BATMAN!

So when a series like Batman: The Brave and the Bold arrives, infusing the action, adventure, and (yes) level of camp back into the caped crusader fans take issue. But going back to our hero's beginning we will find that his masked detective adventures were what Batman was all about; the deeper elements such as his parents' death and his mental anguish not taking center stage until much later.

With that said and blocking out my preconceived notions of what Batman should be, I find myself looking much more favorably upon the artistic endeavors of Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Sure it is silly and times with its over the top spectacles and campiness, but the one off, action packed tales that allow lesser known heroes to come and go is admirable. In fact, the onslaught of epic forgotten heroes like that of Wildcat, Blue Beetle, Mister Miracle, and many others is the most commendable part of the series; bringing these once promising heroes back onto fans radar.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold deserves your time. Don't be dragged down by the fact that the typically psychologically torn Batman is a bit happier these days; focusing more on crime, than on his dark passenger.

The technical features are highly upgraded for Batman: The Brave and the Bold's first venture onto the Blu-ray format. The picture is presented in a 1080p 1.78 X 1 digital high definition image that highlights the thick line work, bold color palette, and inky blacks. Overall the picture quality is near perfect with only occasional hiccups and banding issues. The sound is not as great as the picture in its DTS-HD Master Audio lossless 2.0 Stereo track, being slightly upgraded from the previous DVD release. Not projecting as bold and epic as I would have hoped; the track is nicely prioritized, without distortion. Dialogue comes through nicely, but surrounding action to give the series better atmosphere could use some work.

There are no extras to comment on.



- Michael P. Dougherty II


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